The ACT Test vs. the SAT Test

High school students take the ACT or the SAT test.

The ACT and the SAT are standardized college admissions tests taken by students in the United States. Colleges and universities use standardized tests to gauge a student's knowledge, skills and potential academic success. The two exams have fundamentally different formats and scoring systems. Students have the option of deciding which test to take.

ACT Format

The ACT is a multiple-choice exam that tests students on what they've learned through school curriculum. The exam covers four major subjects: math, English, science and reading. An optional essay portion is available where students can demonstrate their writing skills.

SAT Format

The SAT exam is a combination of short essay and multiple-choice questions designed to test problem-solving abilities. Test questions are divided into critical reading, writing and math sections. Students can also take additional SAT tests in specific subjects.

Timing

The actual testing time of the ACT exam is 3 hours and 25 minutes. The SAT exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes long.

Scoring

The highest ACT score is 35 while the highest SAT score is 2400. In 2008, the average ACT score was 21.1 while the average SAT score was 1511.

References

• College Board: What Is the SAT?
• The College Prep: About the ACT Test
• College Board: What Does the SAT Test?
• The College Prep: Comparing the ACT and SAT