SAT or ACT?
| SAT (Digital) | ACT (Paper-Based) | |
|---|---|---|
| Test Structure | Two subjects: Reading & Writing, Math | Four subjects: English, Math, Reading, Science |
| Timing | Fewer questions, more time per question | More questions, tighter time constraints |
| Test Length | ~2 hours, 14 minutes | ~2 hours, 55 minutes |
| Math Differences | Heavy focus on algebra; some student-produced response questions | Broader content, including more geometry and trigonometry |
| Calculator Policy | Built-in Desmos calculator allowed on all math questions; handheld calculator also allowed | Calculator allowed on the math section |
| Reading Style | Shorter passages, one question each | Longer passages, ten questions per passage |
| Scoring | Total: 1600 (800 R&W, 800 Math) | Composite score out of 36 (average of four sections) |
| Adaptivity | Adaptive (your performance on the first module of each subject area determines the difficulty of the second module for that subject, and this difficulty level factors into your final score.) | Non-adaptive, fixed sections (everyone gets the same test) |
| Use in College Admissions | Accepted equally by all U.S. colleges | Accepted equally by all U.S. colleges |
Choosing between the ACT and SAT can feel overwhelming, but both tests serve the same purpose: to assess your readiness for college admissions. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which test might be the better fit.