SAT vs. ACT – Which is Best for Your Child?
Because most colleges and universities rely heavily on both GPA and standardized test scores as they determine which students to admit, making the decision about which standardized test to take an important one. For over 90 years, the SAT has loomed over high school students, casting a shadow of tension regarding their prospects for a higher education. Even though the ACT was introduced in 1959, it was not until much more recently that it became a viable alternative to the SAT, as it took awhile for every college and university in the country to begin accepting ACT scores. Today, you and your student can rest easy knowing that either of these two tests can be taken in the quest for college admission, but is there a difference between the two? And, if so, which test should your student take?
The SAT and ACT vary in a few key ways, and examining these differences can help you and your child determine on which test he or she will be more likely to score well. Here is a table comparing the two tests’ layouts:
| Section (in order) | Time | Questions | Time per Question | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | Reading Comp | 65 min | 52 | 75 sec |
| Writing and Language (Grammar) | 35 min | 44 | 48 sec | |
| Math No Calculator | 25 min | 20 | 75 sec | |
| Math No Calculator | 55 min | 38 | 87 sec | |
| Essay (optional) | 50 min | N/A | ||
| ACT | English (Grammar) | 45 min | 75 | 36 sec |
| Math With Calculator | 60 min | 60 | 60 sec | |
| Reading Comp | 35 min | 40 | 53 sec | |
| Science | 35 min | 40 | 53 sec | |
| Essay (optional) | 40 min | N/A | ||
As you can see, there are a few fundamental differences with respect to how each test is laid out. First, while the ACT has a math section and a science section, the SAT has two math sections (one of which does not allow the use of a calculator) and no science section. This means that your child’s math score accounts for 50% of his/her SAT score, but only 25% of his/her ACT score. If your student struggles with math, feels uncomfortable without a calculator, or could otherwise benefit from a more balanced scoring distribution, he or she should consider taking the ACT. Also note that the ACT science section does not require that test takers have outside scientific knowledge, as its format is similar to the reading comprehension section, but with condensed, scientific passages. It requires test takers to read and analyze data given in tables and charts, so as long as your student feels comfortable with those tasks, the science section should not be too difficult.
The order in which the sections are given differs between the two tests as well. On the SAT, your child will spend the first hour and 40 min on reading comprehension and grammar followed by 1 hour and 20 min of math. On the ACT, test takers switch subjects between every section. If your child has trouble focusing on one subject for extended periods of time, the ACT may be a better option.
Finally, while the SAT is a slightly longer test overall, it allows for more time per question across the board. One of the most difficult parts of the ACT is the timing, so if your student struggles with fast-paced tests, the SAT may be a better option.
Which test is right for your student? While this blog provides some key differences to keep in mind, the best way to determine which test is most suitable for which student is to be exposed
to both exams. Check at your school or at a well reputed academic tutoring center to see if they have assessment tests available. At Synergy Academics for example, we offer a uniquely blended diagnostic assessment test, which consists of both SAT and ACT sections and can help to determine early on which exam is more suitable for your student
