If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. Students and parents want to know – which one is easier? They are asking about the two college entrance exams that students have been taking for nearly one hundred years. The SAT and the ACT tests. The SAT dates back to 1926 and the ACT came along in 1959. Since then, high school students have been sitting for these tests in hopes of demonstrating college readiness and proof of their academic and innate intelligence. Though some colleges have moved to test-optional, we find that competitive students are taking SAT and ACT tests to score top admission and scholarship offers. 

While some students claim that one test is easier than the other, we find that neither is decidedly easier. Typically, students find they have a preference and test better on one test than the other. 

How to decide which to take: SAT vs. ACT

Most colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT along with your college application and for consideration for merit-based scholarships, but there are some factors that can influence which test to take. To start, the state where you live can influence the test you take. Some states, like Indiana, provide a free SAT test for all students while other states require a specific test as a graduation requirement. Other factors, including your academic strengths and weaknesses, can potentially impact how you score on each test.

At Class 101, we recommend that students take practice tests of both the SAT and ACT to experience what the tests will be like, review their scores, and determine which test is best suited for them. 

The SAT

Developed and offered by The College Board, the SAT test lasts three hours and fifteen minutes and scores students in a total score range of 400 to 1600. The SAT is designed with three sections of multiple choice questions: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math (a section with and a section without a calculator). 

So, what are some differences and benefits of the SAT for students? One factor is time per question. Students who don’t like being rushed may prefer the SAT over the ACT because the SAT gives more time per question. According to The College Board, the SAT provides 43% more time per question. 

The math questions and the overall weight of the math score may also impact a student’s test choice. On the SAT, math accounts for half of the total score, while math is only one-fourth of the ACT score. If a student is strong in math, they may want to consider taking the SAT. 

The type of math questions also vary on each test. The SAT contains more algebra and data analysis questions while the ACT has a much larger focus on geometry. We encourage students to evaluate their strengths but to also take practice tests to decide which test is best, identify areas for improvement, and work on those pinpointed questions to improve their overall score.

The ACT

The ACT test is offered over three hours and thirty minutes and the composite score ranges from 1 to 36. The ACT’s test sections differ slightly from the SAT’s and include: English, mathematics, reading, and science. There is also an additional, and optional, writing section that is required by some colleges. 

One major difference between the two tests is the science section. The SAT does not have a science section, but does measure science within the Reading test, while the ACT has an entire science section. For students who are strong in the sciences, the ACT could be a great fit.

As we mentioned above, there are differences between the two tests in the math sections. Students may use a calculator on all ACT questions while the SAT contains a no-calculator math section. The ACT also includes a few concepts that the SAT leaves out including matrices, graphs of trig functions, and logarithms. 

These differences may seem small, but students can often feel the difference and lean toward one test depending on their strengths and preferences. 

Which test will you take? 

We help Class 101 students spend their time prepping and sitting for the test that best suits them. Consider meeting with one of our college advisors for a free consultation or signing up for our upcoming free practice SAT and ACT tests here. 

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