COMPARISON OF THE SAT AND THE ACT

SAT ACT KEY DIFFERENCES

FOR- 5 sections 5 sections The SAT has a stronger emphasis on math, MAT AND Writing & Language; English; Math; Reading; whereas the ACT has a stronger emphasis Reading; 2 Math; Essay Science; Writing on science. Overall testing time and section LENGTH lengths are similar. SAT questions generally Total testing time: 3 hours, Total testing time: 3 hours, require more critical thinking, but the SAT 50 minutes (includes 35 minutes (includes essay) also provides 30-40% more time per question. essay)

SCORING Total Score: 400-1600 Composite Score: 1-36 The ACT Composite Score is the average of Evidence-Based Reading (average of 4 test scores) your four test scores, so a change in one test and Writing: 200-800 English: 1-36 score may not be reflected in the Composite. The ACT Composite is divided into relatively few Math: 200-800 Math: 1-36 possible scores, so an increase of one point can Essay (not added into Reading: 1-36 represent a significant difference in abilities. The total score): 2-8 in each Science: 1-36 SAT Total Score is the sum of the test scores. of three domains Writing (not averaged into composite score): 2-12

WRITING & Revise and edit a piece Revise and edit a piece The SAT Writing & Language and ACT English LANGUAGE/ of writing of writing Tests are similar in format and content. The SAT ENGLISH Standard English Standard English grammar has more emphasis on rhetoric and typically grammar and usage and usage has more complex passages, but offers about 33% more time per question than the ACT does. Punctuation Punctuation The SAT also includes questions relating to data Logical structure Logical structure graphics. Effective rhetoric Effective rhetoric

MATH Pre-algebra through basic Pre-algebra through The SAT and ACT Math Tests cover similar trigonometry basic trigonometry ranges of concepts. The ACT requires a broad, 12 Grid-In questions (no Extensive range of basic knowledge of many concepts. The SAT answer choices) concepts tested requires a deep knowledge of a core set of concepts, particularly algebra. The SAT offers Strong emphasis on Formulas not provided about 38% more time per question than the ACT Algebra 5 answer choices per does. Calculator prohibited question (rest of test has 4) on one section

READING 4 single passages and 4 single or paired passages The ACT Reading Test emphasizes basic 1 paired passage Consistent order of subject reading comprehension but challenges 2 passages include areas: Literary Narrative and students with its speed. The SAT Reading Test diagrams/charts Prose Fiction, Humanities, emphasizes defining vocabulary in context, understanding the role of the author, and 2 vocabulary-in-context Social Sciences, Natural defending answers with textual evidence. The questions per passage Sciences SAT typically contains more complex passages, 2 evidence questions per but offers about 43% more time per question. passage

SCIENCE The SAT does not have a 40 questions distributed The ACT Science Test measures interpretation, stand-alone Science over 6 or 7 passages analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and prob- section, but 21 science Emphasis on charts, lem-solving skills. The test uses scientific questions are included diagrams, etc. language and reasoning, but rarely requires any throughout the Math, specific knowledge from your academic science Science is a reasoning Reading, and Writing & classes. While there are science questions test—rarely requires prior Language Tests throughout the SAT, there is no specific Science specific science knowledge section.

ESSAY 50 minutes 40 minutes The ACT essay emphasizes crafting and Analyze a passage and Evaluate three perspectives comparing arguments. The SAT essay empha- evaluate author’s on a contemporary issue sizes understanding and analyzing how arguments are crafted. The ACT allows reasoning and rhetoric Student opinions encouraged for more creativity, whereas the SAT requires Student opinions Scored on 2-12 scale on each strong analytical reading skills and provides discouraged of 4 domains: Ideas & more time to write the essay. Scored on 2-8 scale on Analysis, Development & each of three domains: Support, Organization, Reading, Analysis, Writing Language Use & Conventions

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