When it comes to college admissions testing, students in the United States typically choose between the ACT and SAT. While both tests serve the same purpose, some key differences can impact a student's decision on which one to take. Here are eight differences to consider when deciding which test to take:
Structure
The ACT is divided into four sections, each of which has a set number of questions and a specific time limit:
English: 75 questions in 45 minutes, focusing on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Math: 60 questions in 60 minutes, covering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, basic statistics and probability.
Reading: 40 questions in 35 minutes, testing reading comprehension skills and the ability to analyze and interpret passages from different subjects, such as social studies, humanities, and natural sciences.
Science: 40 questions in 35 minutes, assessing scientific reasoning and data interpretation skills.
The SAT, on the other hand, has two main sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 96 questions in 100 minutes, including reading passages, sentence completion, and grammar questions focusing on understanding and analyzing complex texts.
Math: 58 questions in 80 minutes, covering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis, with an emphasis on real-world problem-solving.
Both tests also have an optional essay section:
ACT Essay: 40 minutes, in which students are asked to analyze and evaluate complex issues and present their perspectives.
SAT Essay: 50 minutes, in which students are asked to analyze and explain how an author builds an argument and uses evidence to support their analysis.
Timing
The ACT has a total testing time of 2 hours and 55 minutes without the essay and 3 hours and 35 minutes with the essay. This means students have an average of 49 seconds to answer each question on the ACT without the essay and 53 seconds per question with the essay.
The SAT has a total testing time of 3 hours without the essay and 3 hours and 50 minutes with the essay. This means students have an average of 50 seconds per question on the SAT without the essay and 63 seconds per question with the essay.
Math
The math section on the ACT includes 60 multiple-choice questions, with about 40% of the questions covering algebra, 30% covering geometry, and 30% covering trigonometry and basic statistics and probability. The straightforward questions test students' ability to apply math concepts to solve problems.
The math section on the SAT includes 58 multiple-choice questions, with about 45% of the questions covering algebra, 35% covering geometry, and 20% covering data analysis and statistics. The questions on the SAT are often more complex and may require students to apply multiple math concepts to solve a single problem.
Reading
The reading section on the ACT includes 40 questions based on four reading passages, with about ten questions per passage. The passages are taken from different subject areas, such as social studies, humanities, and natural sciences, and the questions are generally focused on literal comprehension, the main idea, and details.
The reading section on the SAT includes 52 questions based on five reading passages, with 10-11 questions per passage. The passages are often longer and more complex than those on the ACT, and the questions require students to interpret and analyze the texts and identify literary and rhetorical devices.
Science
The ACT's science section tests students on their scientific reasoning skills, critical thinking, and ability to interpret data from different fields, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science. The section includes 40 multiple-choice questions that require students to analyze graphs, tables, and experiments and draw conclusions based on their observations. Students do not need prior knowledge of scientific concepts, but they need to apply their analytical skills to solve problems related to scientific principles.
The SAT, on the other hand, does not have a separate science section. Instead, it includes science-related questions in the reading and math sections. These questions require students to interpret data and charts, analyze experiments, and apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios. While the SAT does not focus solely on science, students need a basic understanding of scientific concepts and analytical skills to succeed in these questions.
Essay
Both tests offer an optional essay section, but some colleges may require it as part of their admissions process. The ACT essay prompt usually presents a straightforward issue or problem and asks students to analyze and evaluate it from multiple perspectives. Students are expected to present their viewpoint on the topic and support it with examples, evidence, and reasoning. They have 40 minutes to complete the essay.
The SAT essay prompt, on the other hand, is more open-ended and complex. Students are given a passage from a published work, such as a book, article, or speech, and asked to analyze how the author builds an argument and uses evidence and rhetorical strategies to support it. Students need to identify and explain the author's central argument, analyze the use of literary and rhetorical devices, and provide their own evaluation of the argument's effectiveness. They have 50 minutes to complete the essay.
Scoring
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, with each section scored separately, and the composite score is the average of the four section scores. The essay is also scored separately on a scale of 2-12, and the score is added to the composite score if the student chooses to take the essay. The ACT also offers super scoring, which means colleges will consider a student's highest scores across multiple test dates.
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, with each section scored separately and the composite score being the sum of the two section scores. The essay is scored independently on a scale of 2-8 for reading, analysis, and writing, and the scores are added to the composite score if the student chooses to take the essay. The SAT also offers super scoring, which means colleges will consider a student's highest scores across multiple test dates.
Regional Differences
The ACT and the SAT are standardised tests colleges and universities use to evaluate applicants for admission. However, there are regional differences in their popularity and usage.
The ACT is the more popular of the two tests in the Midwest and southern United States. This may be due to the fact that the ACT was initially developed in the Midwest and has been administered in that region for many years. Additionally, the ACT is more closely aligned with the educational standards of these regions, which may make it more attractive to students and educators.
In the Northeast and West Coast, the SAT is more commonly used. This may be due to historical factors, as the SAT was first developed on the East Coast and has been widely used in that region for many years. Additionally, the SAT has a reputation for being more challenging than the ACT, which may appeal to students who are seeking to demonstrate their academic prowess to colleges and universities.
It's important to note that while there are regional differences in the popularity of these tests, both the ACT and SAT are accepted by colleges and universities across the United States. Students should consult with their high school guidance counsellors or college admissions offices to determine which test is preferred or required by the schools they are interested in attending.
