ACT vs. SAT: Understanding the Difference

What are the ACT and SAT?

The ACT and SAT are the two most widely recognized standardized tests used in the college admissions process in the United States. The ACT and SAT are both equally accepted and considered at ALL US colleges and universities, including the Ivy Leagues.

What Is the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?

While the ACT and SAT may seem similar at first glance, there are key distinctions that set them apart. The ACT is an assessment that tests students on their understanding of their high school curriculum. The SAT, on the other hand, has traditionally been considered more of an aptitude test.

Both tests evaluate your skills in reading and math. However, the ACT goes a step further by offering a separate English section, an optional writing section that can highlight your writing skills to provide a more well-rounded assessment of your academic abilities, and an optional science section making it a go-to choice for those interested in STEM fields.

The ACT’s emphasis on practical language skills, as opposed to memorizing a long list of complex vocabulary, can make it more relevant for many students. The ACT evaluates your ability to understand language in context, which many students find to be a more natural skill. Another significant difference is that the ACT offers support for English learners on every national test date, adding another layer of accessibility.

Which Test Is Easier, the ACT or SAT?

That’s the question we always get. We know you’re smart enough to succeed on either! Questions on the ACT and SAT have very similar levels of average difficulty – so it really comes down to student preference. Check out our free practice test to get a sense of our test format to help you determine your best test fit.

Should You Take the ACT or SAT?

Some reasons a student might consider the ACT over the SAT:

1. Students can choose how they take the ACT – either on paper or online. The SAT is now only offered online. Some students like paper and pencil, others like the computer. With the ACT, you decide which test format is best for you.
2. The ACT is the only standardized test to offer a test answer key - ACT My Answer Key (formerly TIR) for certain test dates. This means you can choose to get your answer key back with your test and see the questions you missed and which you got right. This is an excellent study tool especially for those students who know they want to take the test multiple times to superscore.
   
3. Students have more choice and flexibility with the ACT – In addition to choosing how to test, students can also choose whether or not they want to add the optional science and writing sections to their testing experience.  The ACT allows for letting you showcase what matters for your future.
4. ACT is known for its commitment to equity and impact. This expands to our test too! We offer accommodations for all types of diverse learners. One example of this is our English learner supports on all national test days for U.S. students not proficient in English. 
5. The ACT is predictive! Students meeting three or four ACT College Readiness Benchmarks have a strong likelihood of experiencing success in first-year college courses.