ACT or SAT? Which is Best for You?
By: CollegeBoard
Knowing how the SAT and ACT are different will help you figure out which test is
your best test bet.
Preparing for and taking the SAT and ACT is a huge part of college admissions. Here's
how to decide which test to focus on.
What Are the Differences Between the SAT and ACT?
Both the SAT and the ACT play the same role in the admissions process, and colleges
don't prefer one test over the other. Both tests measure the knowledge you have gained in
high school and help colleges assess your readiness for college-level instruction. But
there are differences.
 The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking skills you'll need for academic
success in college.
 The ACT is designed to measure the academic knowledge and skills you have
acquired from a standard high school curriculum.
Why These Differences Can Matter
 Logic vs. knowledge. The SAT asks many questions you answer through logic.
The ACT is more likely to ask questions you answer with knowledge. For example, you
will need to know math formulas by heart for the ACT. On the SAT, the formulas are
provided for your reference, and you use logic to arrive at the answer.
 Essay required vs. not required. The ACT essay section is optional. This might
lead the writing-averse to choose the ACT, but be aware that some colleges require the
ACT essay. Check the requirements of your colleges carefully.
 Science tested vs. not tested. The ACT tests your comprehension of basic
scientific procedures and your ability to use graphs and charts. The SAT does not cover
science.
So How Do You Decide Between the SAT and ACT?
 Practice taking both tests. Once you have mastered the formats of both, take
each official test once. The test that suits you best will be apparent.
 Consider your academic strengths. If you have a solid mastery of math and
science, the ACT might be best for you. If you relish English and writing, the SAT might
be best for you. And, because the SAT tests your reasoning skills as well as your content
knowledge, it might also be a better choice if you are a good test-taker (and even secretly
enjoy it).
The Best Bet Might Be Not to Choose
If you do just about as well on the ACT as the SAT, why not take both tests? To colleges,
your great ACT and SAT scores will validate your strength as a student.
Overview: Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT 2016
This high-level comparison between the current SAT and the redesigned SAT highlights
major design features of the two tests. The first table provides a comparison of the major
features of the current SAT and redesigned SAT. The second table provides a comparison
by test, including the number of items and testing time. It is important to note that while
the information in these tables represents our best understanding of the nature and
features of the redesigned SAT, some specific elements, such as timing, length, and
reported scores, are subject to revision based on the ongoing research process that guides
the redesign.
Major Features
Comparison of the Major Features: Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT
Category
Current SAT
Total Testing 3 hours and 45 minutes
Time*
Redesigned SAT
3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay
[optional])
*Redesigned
SAT testing
time subject
to research
Components1.
2.
3.
4.
Important 
Features


Essay

Critical Reading 1.
Evidence-Based Reading and
Writing
Writing

Reading Test
Mathematics

Writing and Language
Essay
Test
2.
Math
3.
Essay (optional)
Emphasis on

general reasoning skills
Emphasis on
vocabulary, often in
limited contexts
Complex scoring

(a point for a correct
answer and a deduction
for an incorrect answer;
blank responses have no
impact on scores)

Continued emphasis on
reasoning alongside a clearer, stronger
focus on the knowledge, skills, and
understandings most important for
college and career readiness and
success
Greater emphasis on the
meaning of words in extended
contexts and on how word choice
shapes meaning, tone, and impact
Rights-only scoring (a point
for a correct answer but no deduction
for an incorrect answer; blank
responses have no impact on scores)
Required and 
given at the beginning of
Optional and given at the end
of the SAT; postsecondary institutions
determine whether they will require



Score
Reporting*

*Redesigned
SAT scores
subject to
research

Subscore
Reporting
the SAT
25 minutes to 
write the essay

Tests writing skill;
students take a position
on a presented issue
Scale ranging 
from 600 to 2400
Scale ranging 
from 200 to 800 for
Critical Reading; 200 to
800 for Mathematics; 200
to 800 for Writing

Essay results
scaled to multiple-choice
Writing
None
the Essay for admission
50 minutes to write the essay
Tests reading, analysis, and
writing skills; students produce a
written analysis of a provided source
text
Scale ranging from 400 to
1600
Scale ranging from 200 to 800
for Evidence-Based Reading and
Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8
on each of three traits for Essay
Essay results reported
separately
Sub scores for every test, providing
added insight for students, parents,
admission officers, educators, and
counselors
Comparison of Test Length and Timing: Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT
Current SAT
Redesigned SAT
Time Allotted
(minutes)
Number of
Question/
Tasks
Component
Time
Allotted
(minutes)
Number of
Questions/
Tasks
Critical
Reading
70
67
Reading
65
52
Writing
60
49
Writing and
Language
35
44
Essay
25
1
Essay
(optional)
50
1
54
Math
80
58
171
Total
180
154
(230
(155 with
with Essay) Essay)
Component
Mathematics 70
Total
225