Tutoring and Test Prep in New York City NYC

Both the SAT and the ACT are standardized tests used by colleges across the country to make decisions about college admissions. Since they play such a pivotal role in your academic future, it is vital that you compare their similarities and differences and choose the test that best suits you.

Sometimes unrelated to the text

Always about the text

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Understanding the differences can make a big difference.

In general, both the SAT and the ACT go over virtually the same things, stressing similar grammar and syntax rules, though the SAT seems to present slightly trickier material. They do, however, still have some differences.

On The SAT

On The ACT

Info Graphic Questions

Relatively easy

Varies from very easy to hard

Passage Reading Level

Only allowed on the calculator section

Always allowed

On The SAT

On The ACT

Calculators

Tests the breadth of your understanding more than the depth; less complex

More advanced math, including some trigonometry

Difficulty Level

Always multiple choice

80% multiple choice; 20% grid-ins

Question Type

Ranging from easy to early college

Standard 10th and 11th grade level

On The SAT

On The ACT

Passage Complexity

4 long passages, one of which is a set of paired passages

5 medium-lengthed passages, one of which is a set of paired passages

Number of Passages

Purpose, vocab, detail and inference questions

Same as the ACT, plus new evidence-

based questions

Question Type

On The SAT

On The ACT

Yes.

No.

Is there a science section?

Since the SAT does not have a science section, this is often a determining factor when deciding between the two tests. However, the lack of this section must be weighed against the trickier and often more difficult material presented in the other sections of the SAT. Also, just because you may not have a vast knowledge of science does not mean that you won't do well on the science section. 95% of the questions do not require an extensive scientific background, and the answers can be found directly in the passages, tables, charts, and graphs provided.

Write an essay explaining how the author builds his or her argument

Write an essay that includes:

1.) an evaluation of the 3 perspectives

2.) your own perspective

On The SAT

On The ACT

Instructions

3 different points of view on a debatable issue

Medium-length passage wherein the author creates a persuasive argument

Passage Analysis

You receive a verbal and a math score, each ranging from 200 to 800 points

The average of the four multiple-choice sections becomes your composite score

On The SAT

On The ACT

Final Score

An average of 50 seconds per question

An average of 1 minute and 10 seconds per question

Timing

You comprehend reading passages better if you have a little more time

You work quickly and are a fast reader

You can quickly and confidently make math calculations in your head

You are adept at spotting tricks and traps

You prefer to always have a calculator

You like science and are good at reading graphs and interpreting data

Every test-taker is different, so you're going to have to carefully compare the benefits of each. Some students take both since they can't decide between them, but this is not advisable since you will be dividing your preparation time. If you can't make up your mind, I strongly suggest that you take a practice test of each. Students can usually tell pretty quickly which one they feel most comfortable with.