10 Vital Distinctions Between SAT and ACT Exams

One of the common questions many high school students ask is: SAT vs ACT, which one is superior? Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests that universities and colleges use to assess prospective students, despite the resemblances, a few critical variations exist between them.

The SAT test format vastly differs from the ACT test format. The SAT is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Students' strengths and weaknesses determine which test is easier, the SAT or ACT. 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.

The scoring scale also differs for both tests. The SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, while the ACT score ranges from 1 to 36.

The subjects tested differ between SAT and ACT. The SAT math focuses greatly on reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis abilities, 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. Both explore strategies tests are accepted by most colleges and universities, therefore, it's advantageous to select the test where you can best demonstrate your strengths. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.