ACT vs. SAT — What's the Difference?

The ACT is designed to assess a student's readiness for college by covering English, mathematics, reading, and science, with an optional writing section. It emphasizes the application of skills across a broader content area. The SAT, on the other hand, evaluates reading, writing and language, and math, with a strong focus on evidence-based reading and writing, and includes an optional essay. This difference highlights the ACT's broader subject coverage versus the SAT's focus on aptitude in reading, writing, and math.

Scoring on the ACT is composite, averaging scores from its four (or five, with writing) sections, each ranging from 1 to 36. The SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, combining evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) and math scores, each ranging from 200 to 800. This difference in scoring systems reflects the distinct ways each test measures student abilities.

The ACT includes a science reasoning section, assessing interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in the natural sciences, which the SAT lacks. The SAT, however, incorporates science-related questions within its reading and writing sections, focusing more on data interpretation and evidence support without a dedicated science section.

The ACT is generally considered more straightforward in its questions, focusing on assessing students' knowledge and skills directly. The SAT is known for its emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking skills, often requiring more abstract reasoning and evidence support in its questions.

The timing and pacing of both tests also differ, with the ACT allowing less time per question, which can challenge students who need more time to process information. The SAT provides slightly more time per question, especially in the reading and writing sections, catering to students who excel in critical thinking under less time pressure.