10 Key Differences Between SAT and ACT Tests

High school students are often perplexed with the question: Which is better, SAT or ACT? Both the SAT and ACT serve as measures for colleges and universities to assess aspiring students, despite the resemblances, a few critical variations exist between them.

The ACT test strategies SAT test format vastly differs from the ACT test format. The SAT is split into two parts: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, along with Math. On the other hand, the ACT incorporates English, Math, Reading, and Science.

The question of whether the SAT or ACT is easier varies, depending on the student's personal strengths and deficits. The SAT may be more suitable for students with strong reading and writing skills. Alternatively, science-oriented students might have an edge with the ACT.

The SAT and ACT also diverge in terms of scoring scales. The SAT scoring scale stretches from 400 to 1600, whereas the ACT scores ranges from 1 to 36.

SAT and ACT test subjects also noticeably diverge. Reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis are the focus of the SAT math section, while the ACT math section covers topics from pre-algebra 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, so it's crucial to choose the test that best reflects your abilities. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.