Both the ACT® and SAT® are standardized tests high school students take as part of the college admissions process. The score your child earns on one or both of these tests can help them earn partial or full-ride scholarships and bolster the competitiveness of their college applications. Although both exams seem similar at first glance, there are some key differences that may impact which exam your child ultimately decides to take.
Some major differences between these two standardized tests include, but aren’t limited to:
- testing format availability
- sections covered and time
- scoring
Comparing the ACT and SAT Test Formats
In February 2024, the ACT test began offering an online format only at select locations. This was done to improve its accessibility to a broader range of students. If your child plans on taking this ACT using this format, there are online test prep options that can help them become familiar with the new format. If during their ACT test prep your child decides they want to take the traditional paper and pencil version, they have until the late registration deadline to change their testing format at no additional cost.
Beginning in April 2024, the digital version of the ACT will be available at all national testing centers. This updated test will be shorter than the traditional test. The Science section of this new test will be optional, allowing greater flexibility for students.
For now, the ACT’s primary format is the paper and pencil test.
In March 2024, the digital format became the default for anyone interested in taking the SAT. The College Board offers accommodations for those who need them. The official dSAT as well as test prep take place in the same application: Bluebook.
ACT vs SAT: Do They Cover the Same Material?
The current ACT covers the same topics as the digital SAT, but takes a more well-rounded approach by including a Science section, and testing how well your child can use language to suit different situations. This practical approach to language places less emphasis on your child’s ability to memorize vocabulary and more emphasis on their adaptability.
The ACT takes two hours and 55 minutes to complete the Math, English, Writing, and Science sections. While the ACT offers an optional Writing test, we generally recommend not taking it because it won’t impact your child’s final test score. They can always flex their incredible writing skills in their personal statement.
The digital SAT covers similar skills but in a way that requires greater critical reasoning. It is broken into a Math section and a Reading and Writing section and takes a total of two hours and 14 minutes to complete. Each section is split into two equal length modules and gives test takers a 10 minute break between the sections. Science skills are tested as part of the Math and Reading and Writing sections, featuring science-based passages, graphs, and tables. The digital SAT only offers an Essay section in states that require it as part of their SAT School Day.
ACT Test Scores vs SAT Scores
Each section of the ACT and the overall composite score falls on a scale of one to 36. Each individual section on the SAT is scored within a range of 200 and 800 points, but the composite SAT score falls on a scale from 400 to 1600. The composite score your child receives from either exam is their average score for all sections.
Is the ACT Harder than the SAT?
Although the digital SAT is adaptive, the overall difficulty level is about the same as the ACT’s. The SAT’s pacing allows 68% more time per question than the ACT. However, both standardized tests cover a mix of familiar and unfamiliar topics to gauge your child’s college readiness.
If your child isn’t sure which standardized test is right for them, The College Board and the ACT offer free practice tests. If your child wants to see how they’ll perform on each test under conditions they’ll encounter on test day, C2 Education offers full length practice tests and an immersive environment. This can help your child get a better feel for the kind of content they may encounter and which test they prefer.
Do Colleges Prefer the ACT or SAT?
Aside from test-blind schools that won’t accept scores for either test, most colleges don’t have a preference. Admissions teams are more interested in your child’s test score and the strength of their overall college essay. Since the ACT and SAT aren’t offered on the same days, students may choose to take both to maximize their chances of earning the highest test scores possible.
Which Test is Right for Your Child?
Some students choose to take both, others choose to only take one. Both tests evaluate your child’s college readiness and can help strengthen their college application.
When your child is deciding which standardized test to take, they should start by checking the standardized test requirements of each school on their list. More and more schools are reinstating their standardized testing policy, so working with the latest information can ensure they’re preparing accordingly.
After checking these requirements, they should consider whether or not they plan on pursuing a STEM major or career. If so, the ACT may be a better fit as it offers a Science section in addition to Math, English, and Writing sections.
Other considerations your child should take into account when deciding which test to take can include:
- how well they perform under strict time limits
- which types of questions they have difficulty answering
- exam costs
Your child can also take free online practice tests to make a more informed decision if they don’t want to take both exams.
Empower Your Child’s Choice with Personalized Test Prep
No matter which standardized test your child decides to take, the subject matter experts at C2 Education can help them earn their ideal score. Each tutor adapts our curriculum to your child’s needs and helps them steadily move toward their goals. They can help your child master test taking strategies and apply them in conditions similar to what your child will encounter on test day.
Our tutors will be your child’s biggest cheerleaders throughout their test prep program. Whether they choose to take the ACT or SAT, we can help them build the skills and habits they need to maximize their test scores.
Ready to help your child score big on their standardized test? Contact us at (844) 241-6211 or visit a center near you!
