ACT Versus SAT: How To Choose?

Parents often ask me which test their child should take for college admissions. The answer depends on their child’s strengths and weaknesses. The best way to know for sure which test the student should take is for them to do a practice test for each exam and see which one they feel more comfortable with. We do not recommend students try to prepare for both tests. Student should pick one test and stick with it and concentrate their efforts on improving their scores on the test they have chosen. Both tests are widely used at colleges and universities in the United States, and both tests are used to award scholarships.

Let’s look at some of the differences between the two tests.

• The SAT is a slightly longer test (5-10 minutes longer than the ACT, depending on whether the student writes the essay or not). The ACT gives students less time per question, and thus favors students who can work quickly.
• The SAT contains 5 reading passages and the ACT contains 4 reading passages. Students who have difficulty with reading comprehension (especially in a timed environment) may find the ACT to be a better choice for them. The one thing to keep in mind is that the SAT tends to provide references to where information is contained in the passage, where the ACT does not, thus requiring students to remember more of what they have read.
• The ACT has a science section. Students do not need to have specific knowledge of the science content of the passage, it is more of a science based reading comprehension test than a test of a student’s knowledge of science topics. Students who are not strong in science often report that they have difficulty with this section because they find it harder to concentrate on these topics.
• The math topics covered on both tests are similar (Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry). The SAT includes some data analysis problems, which are not contained on the ACT. The SAT has one math section that does not allow use of a calculator. The ACT allows students to use a calculator on all the math sections. We find that the calculator is a crutch that often does not help students, and can slow them down. The SAT provides formulas required for solving math problems, the ACT does not provide formulas. Some students tell us that they find the math on the ACT harder than the math on the SAT. The SAT tends to contain more Algebra questions and the ACT tends to contain more Geometry and Trigonometry questions.

Both tests allow you to choose which set of scores you send to schools. There is no guessing penalty on the ACT or the SAT. The essay is optional on both tests. Some schools may require the essay, so students should research the requirements of the schools they are applying to before they decide whether or not to take the version of the tests with the essay.

In general students who are stronger in math (especially Geometry and Trigonometry) and science may prefer the ACT. Students who are stronger in reading comprehension may prefer the SAT. Again, the best way to know which test is better for a student is for them to take a practice test for each test and see which one they feel the most comfortable with. The practice test does not need to be done as part of a formal test. The student can take a timed practice test from one of the test prep books available at any bookstore. For the SAT we recommend The College Board SAT prep book.

The entrance exam is an important part of the college application process, and students should start their preparation early to achieve the best results.

Next week: SAT II Tests – What are they and who needs to take them?

Miss Anne founded Boston Tutoring Center in 2003 to help students with standardized test prep, academic tutoring, and private school entrance exam test prep. BTC has worked with hundreds of students over the past 14 years in the Boston area, and via Skype across the United States, and in Asia, Europe and Central America. Send your questions about education to Miss Anne at: bostontutoringcenter@rcn.com

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