One of the common questions many high school students ask is: SAT vs ACT, which one is superior? Universities and colleges use both SAT and ACT to evaluate potential students, but there exist some key differences between the two.
There's a significant difference between SAT and ACT test format. The SAT is split What colleges accept ACT scores into two parts: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, along with Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
Deciding which test is easier between SAT or ACT depends entirely on a student's strengths and weaknesses. If reading and writing are a student's strong points, then the SAT might be a better fit. Alternatively, science-oriented students might have an edge with the ACT.
Each test also uses a different scoring scale. The SAT scoring scale stretches from 400 to 1600, whereas the ACT scores ranges from 1 to 36.
There's a clear difference between subjects tested in SAT and ACT. Reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis are the focus of the SAT math section, on the other hand, the ACT math section tests a wide array of topics from pre-algebra up to trigonometry.
Deciding which test to take - SAT or ACT - is ultimately a matter of personal choice. Most colleges and universities accept either SAT or ACT scores, therefore, it's advantageous to select the test where you can best demonstrate your strengths. Ultimately, the selection of the test becomes less crucial than how well students can perform on their chosen test.