ACT vs SAT
What is ACT?
Many universities and colleges use the ACT (American College Testing) as an entrance exam to make admissions-related choices. It primarily assesses your preparation for college and offers a standard testing ground for comparison among the prospective students. The ACT is a multiple-choice test that is given on paper and pencil by ACT, Inc. The maximum score on this test is 36.
In addition to the GPA attained, the standardised test results are evaluated together with the LOR submitted by your teachers, classes taken, extracurricular activities, performance -based assessment, and the group discussions you take part in. Note that February, April, June, July, September, October and December are the ACT examination months.
Further, ACT is divided into 4 different sections:
- English
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Science
- Writing (optional)
You can access information about ACT registration and dates here.
What is SAT?
Another entrance exam is the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), which would be taken by you if you are looking to enrol in undergraduate programmes at institutions in the US and Canada. This written (paper-pencil) exam measures your linguistic proficiency, mathematical competence, and reasoning skills.
The components of the SAT examinations are:
- Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW)
- Mathematics
- Essay (optional)
The new modifications that were made to this exam in 2016 include the aforementioned elements. Major changes to subject names, evaluation methods, and examination duration were made.
You can access information about ACT registration and dates here.
What is the difference between ACT and SAT?
Predetermined format, stringent time constraints, speed requirements are some of the characteristics of standard tests. The SAT and ACT are more similar than distinct because of these characteristics. However, the following factors can be taken into account in order to readily understand the key distinctions between these two exams and make an educated choice:
- Time duration:
The average length of the SAT is three hours and fifty minutes, whereas the average length of the ACT is two hours and fifty-five minutes (3 hours and 35 minutes with essay).
- Scoring process:
In the ACTs, the average scores from the 4 segments account for a large portion of the final result. The SAT exams, on the other hand, contain a set of scores: EBRW and Math are scored in the 200–800 range, bringing the total to between 400 and 1600. Essays receive separate grades.
- Cost considerations:
The SAT now tends to cost $60, up from $52 the before. The ACT currently costs $63, up from $55, for the exam alone, and $88 if the optional writing test is added.
What should you choose? ACT or SAT?
An important idea to for you to comprehend is that neither of the two tests is recommended over the other when picking which one to take. Both have the same goal in mind: determining your suitability for entry into schools and institutions. After carefully examining many SATs and ACTs, it is pretty obvious that they are largely similar than dissimilar in terms of methodology and measurement.
According to some experts, some learners prefer the consistency of the ACT over the SAT because the ACT’s four portions always appear in the same order. Other individuals might opt for the SAT since it has fewer sections overall.
Students have been increasingly choosing the SAT and ACT as their tests of choice in recent years. This element has been greatly influenced by the SAT’s post-2016 changes, which have made simultaneous studying easier.
Few tips to help you out
The concept that these two tests resonate with different students could be one of the reasons to choose between them. Due to the ACT’s concentration on the verbal portion, it is possible that individuals with stronger English aptitude may perform better on the test due to higher scores, whereas students whose strengths may lay in mathematical computation may choose the SAT. In light of the preceding findings, a good suggestion for you would be to give both tests a try.
- The SATs are typically given four times each year, but the ACT is offered five times annually (instead of six). So, it is necessary for you to make a note of each cycle to better sync it with your other commitments.
- There are no penalties for taking the SAT and ACT more than once. Universities may demand information on all your sittings; however, many colleges may give you the option to just submit or highlight the results of your preferred sitting.
- Finally, the outcome of one test could become a significant motivator or stressor. Writing things down and creating a step-by-step plan to achieve your goal grade can be beneficial.
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