SAT vs ACT
The notion that between SAT vs ACT that one is easier than the other is not true. In some key areas (no guessing penalty, essay optional, charts/graphs, vocab, and grammar in context) the SAT has moved closer to the ACT test but the mantra of the SAT test remains somewhat unchanged. It is a critical thinking test. Those students who might have chosen the old SAT would still be making a good choice with the new SAT test. They might even have an easier time considering that the essay is now optional and the guessing penalty is gone. These two things may not make the content easier but will certainly make the test less draining and stress-inducing. It is important to remember that both tests have their pros and cons, and find what is best suited to you.
Our Advice for SAT vs ACT
Our general advice would be to take an ACT test and SAT test sample paper. See which test is easier for you and then decide.
SAT | ACT |
Critical Reading. Math (up to Geometry), Writing | Science, Math (up to trigonometry) Reading, English |
Reasoning based | Curriculum-based |
No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for guessing |
Math grid ins | All Multiple choice questions |
Basic fee $ 102 | Basic fee $ 61 |
Essay writing is not mandatory | Essay writing is optional (add $15.50) |
A perfect score is 1600 | A perfect score is 36 |
The greater emphasis is on vocabulary | Less emphasis on vocabulary |
Scores on individual sections, particularly Critical Reading and Math are looked at | The composite score is looked at rather than scores on individual sections |
Offered 6 times a year | Offered 5 times a year (plus writing only 4 times) |
Testing time is 3 hrs 50 min | The testing time is 2 hrs 55 min. Plus 30 min optional writing test |
The test fee includes score reporting to 4 colleges. Time until 9 days after the test to update the choice of colleges | The test fee includes score reporting to 4 colleges. Colleges to be chosen at the time of registering |
Please visit www.collegeboard.org and www.act.org for any latest information and updates.
To know more; do contact us for more information either by calling us at 8880001177 or writing an email to [email protected]. Our counselors would be happier to answer your queries.