Should I take the ACT or SAT? This is, by far, the question I've answered the most career as a test prep tutor.
And it's a critical question to consider before you commit to an ACT prep or SAT prep path because the right choice will ultimately save you time and money.
Even though the ACT and SAT test similar academic concepts, they do so in very different ways. That variation in style can make all the difference in your confidence on test day and your resulting test scores. Comparing the ACT and SAT before you decide which test to take will help ensure you have the best odds of getting your highest possible score.
In this video, I share facts about the differences between the ACT and SAT gleaned from my 12+ years as a test prep tutor as well as my own personal experience taking these tests as an adult.
Consideration #1: Tone
In A Nutshell
The tone on the ACT is fairly straightforward while the language used on the SAT tends to be more complex.
How This Impacts Your Decision
Since the ACT's tone is more straightforward, it makes the ACT a better fit for students who like to move quickly through an exam or who historically have struggled with reading.
The SAT's complex tone likely won't be problematic for strong readers or students who are accustomed to reading dense material on a regular basis.
Consideration #2: Math
In A Nutshell
ACT math covers a wider array of topics but in less detail. SAT math has a narrower focus on strong algebra skills, a heavier emphasis on facility with word problems, and a section that doesn't allow for the use of a calculator.
How This Impacts Your Decision
The ACT tends to be the better fit for students who struggle with word problems or algebra in general. While the ACT does test algebra, the broader array of concepts tested gives weaker math students or students with quick recall of long-since-memorized concepts an advantage.
The SAT's more rigorous demands of a considerable facility with algebra may put stronger math students at ease so long as they feel comfortable working with out a calculator at times.
Consideration #3: Science vs Reading
In A Nutshell
The science section on the ACT relies on a student's ability to read charts and graphs rather than rely on outside science knowledge.
On the other had, the SAT's reading section includes far more complex passages than those found on the ACT and will require students to interpret charts and graphs in a similar manner to the ACT science section.
How This Impacts Your Decision
In this comparison, the ACT is certainly the easier exam.
That said, students who are confident with denser reading passages and are comfortable shifting gears to answer data questions in the middle of verbal sections have the advantage of being able to distinguish themselves on the SAT more readily than on the ACT.
Consideration #4: The Essay
In A Nutshell
The ACT essay requires students to state and defend their position on a topic that's usually inspired by current events. The SAT essay requires students to examine
How This Impacts Your Decision
While I do recommend that all students opt to take the essay when they test, the essay score is not the most important of the section scores. Let the multiple choice considerations guide your decision but, in a tie-break, the essay could determine which test is the better fit for a student.
The ACT essay allows students to argue their own position while the SAT essay requires students to leverage knowledge of rhetorical devices to explain how another author crafts his or her argument in a provided passage.
The SAT essay won't be too much of a stretch for strong writer and seasoned AP English students, but it may challenge weaker writers.
Again, use the essay as a tie-break only when all else is equal across the multiple-choice sections of the two exams for a student.