SAT vs ACT: What are the Differences?

The ACT has 4 sections

Z

English

Z

Reading

Z

Math

Z

Science

The SAT has 4 sections

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Writing/Language

Z

Reading

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Math (no calculator)

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Math (with calculator)

The English (ACT) and Writing (SAT) sections are essentially identical.​

They test the same content and have similar structures.

The ACT’s Math section tests a few additional topics that are not covered on the SAT, including matrices, combinatorics and vectors.

The ACT Science section does not test science knowledge.

Rather, it tests your ability to read and analyse data from tables and graphs.

Both tests offer an optional essay section.

You should check to see if the universities you are applying to require you to take the essay.

Both tests are very fast paced, but the ACT is slightly more so.

Overall, SAT gives you more time per question across all sections.

No one knows you better than you know yourself, so you should have an idea of which test is better suited for you based on these differences.

Now that you have read about the differences between the SAT vs ACT, the best way to decide is to contact us here to take a practice test so that you get a feel for each test.