Is the SAT or ACT Easier?

For over 60 years, the debate has continued: “Is the SAT or ACT easier?” Some students argue that the ACT’s math questions are more straightforward, while SAT math questions are more challenging. Others say just the opposite: with fewer math topics, the SAT is easier. Since the SAT recently revamped its verbal section, the jury is still out on which test’s verbal section is easier. Adding to the mix is the ACT’s Science section, which many describe as “an adventure in madness.”

Safe to say, it seems there’s no final decision in sight for this age-old question. With many variables affecting student perceptions about the exams, there’s no easy answer. In fact, it’s quite possible there is no definitive answer at all.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

• Evolution of the SAT and ACT: From Aptitude to Assessment and Beyond
• Why Do the Two Tests Exist?
• Benefits of Taking the SAT or ACT
  • Additional Benefits of Testing
• Comparing the SAT and the ACT
  • How Are They Alike?
  • How Are They Different?
• Initial Considerations: SAT or ACT?
• The SAT Is Adaptive — the ACT Is Not
• Scanning the Test
• The Content of the Two Tests
  • SAT Reading and Writing
  • SAT Math
  • ACT English
  • ACT Math
  • ACT Science
• Before You Decide, Take Practice Tests
  • Taking Official Practice Exams
• Key Takeaways
• What’s Next?

Let’s begin with some historical and factual data about the 2 tests.

Evolution of the SAT and ACT: From Aptitude to Assessment and Beyond

The SAT was created nearly 100 years ago, in 1926. The acronym SAT originally stood for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” implying that it tested some aspect of the test-taker’s intelligence. In 1993, the designation was changed to “Scholastic Assessment Test.” The change indicated a shift from focusing on intelligence to evaluating a student’s readiness for college-level academics. Finally, in 1997, the College Board declared that “SAT” stands for nothing! It is simply the name of the test.

The SAT has undergone many changes during its existence. Most recently, in 2023, the digital version debuted in the U.S.

The ACT was introduced in 1959 as an alternative to the SAT. The SAT was originally used for admissions to Ivy League and other selective schools in the Northeast. On the other hand, the ACT was intended for use by any college or university, regardless of geography or exclusive admissions criteria. Interestingly, the acronym ACT, which originally stood for “American College Testing,” now, just like SAT, stands for nothing!

The bottom line is that both tests aim to help schools assess a student’s ability to succeed in college and complete their studies. Nearly every school in the U.S. accepts either test, with no stated preference.

KEY FACT:

Both the SAT and the ACT are used to assess a student’s readiness for the academic demands of college.

Why Do the Two Tests Exist?

Both the SAT and the ACT have been used by colleges to “level the playing field” in admissions decisions. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, from rural school districts to homeschooling to exclusive prep schools. Therefore, the use of a student’s GPA or school rank alone may be misleading at best, or useless at worst. The SAT and ACT purportedly allow all students to compete for admissions and scholarships more fairly, regardless of their high school background.

The SAT and ACT purportedly allow all students to compete for admissions and scholarships more fairly.

In recent years, the number of schools requiring the SAT or ACT has declined. During the pandemic, students were unable to take the SAT or ACT, and schools temporarily dropped the test requirement. But many colleges and universities made the change permanent, with many opting for a test-optional policy. The belief was that test scores had become skewed, favoring those who could afford test prep classes and private tutors.

KEY FACT:

Many colleges and universities have gone test-optional since 2020.

Benefits of Taking the SAT or ACT

Because of test-optional policies at most schools, students may wonder if it’s worth it to invest time and effort in studying for the SAT or ACT. In general, you’ll find it beneficial to take either or both of the tests.

First, a good score can enhance your application package. Schools must rely on high school GPA, AP exam scores, athletics, volunteer activities, and personal statements to evaluate students. If many applicants have application packages similar to yours, a great test score can catapult your name to the top of the stack.

Second, a solid test score can counterbalance 1 or more negative aspects of your application. Perhaps you don’t have a stellar GPA, or your school doesn’t offer many AP classes. Perhaps family or job commitments didn’t allow you to earn volunteer hours or become a varsity athlete. With a solid SAT or ACT score, you can offset any of these deficiencies.

Third, don’t overlook the financial aspects of having a good test score. Many scholarship-awarding organizations and schools require that you submit an SAT or ACT score as part of the scholarship application. A high score can make you competitive, allowing you to save potentially thousands on your college costs.

TTP PRO TIP:

Even at a test-optional school, a good SAT or ACT score can improve your admission chances.

Additional Benefits of Testing

What if your target schools don’t require either exam? Well, you might change your mind later and decide to apply to a school that does require testing. Having your test score already on record would save you time, effort, and stress.

KEY FACT:

Having an SAT or ACT on your record allows you to apply to any college or university, regardless of their test-optional policy.

Finally, don’t overlook the practical and personal benefits of taking either test. Your score will give you valuable feedback about your academic knowledge and skills. A poor math score may indicate that you need to brush up on basic skills before enrolling in college algebra. Or, a lower-than-optimal verbal score might suggest that you need to bone up on your reading and writing skills before taking reading- and writing-intensive college courses.

TTP PRO TIP:

Use your test results to assess your academic skills.

Let’s now compare and contrast the exams.

Comparing the SAT and the ACT

How Are They Alike?

• Readiness Assessment: As stated earlier, both tests indicate a student’s readiness to handle a 4-year college academic regimen. And they are generally used interchangeably for committees reviewing applications for merit-based scholarships.
• Topics Tested: Additionally, both tests evaluate similar topics, including math, reading, and writing. Math topics tested are similar for both tests. And both the SAT and ACT reading, writing, and language sections are entirely passage-based.
• Scoring: The scoring algorithms are different, but neither exam penalizes students for incorrect or blank answers. Only correct answers are awarded points.

KEY FACT:

The SAT and ACT cover similar topics, and neither test penalizes students for incorrect answers.

How Are They Different?

• Test Length: The SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long. The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long.
• Scoring: SAT composite scores range from 400 to 1600. ACT scores range from 1 to 36.
• Format:  The SAT is digital, which allows the test to be “section adaptive.” The ACT, while still offered on paper, can be taken online. The online test is the same as the paper one.
• Question types: The SAT includes 4-answer multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses (SPR), which are fill-in-the-blank. The ACT asks only 5-answer multiple-choice questions.

KEY FACT:

The SAT and ACT differ in structure and format in the following ways: test length, scoring, format, and types of questions.

• Sections: The SAT has only 2 sections: Reading/Writing and Math. The ACT has 4 sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
• Biggest Difference in Content: The ACT has a Science section, and the SAT does not, although some SAT passages may cover science concepts.
• Math coverage: Both tests cover arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trig, and data analysis. The SAT also covers statistical experiments and observational studies. The ACT also covers matrices, vectors, logarithms, and complex (imaginary) numbers.
• Calculator and Reference Sheet: While both tests allow calculators for all math questions, the SAT provides a reference sheet of common geometry formulas.

KEY FACT:

The SAT and ACT differ in the following ways: number of sections, some math topics tested, and access to certain formulas.

Let’s next see how these similarities and differences might help you decide: SAT vs ACT — which should I take?

Initial Considerations: SAT or ACT?

Understanding the basic differences above may give you a hint about which test may be easier for you. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Length: The tests have significantly different lengths. If a shorter length appeals to you, then the digital SAT might suit you better. However, the ACT’s paper-and-pencil format may be more familiar to you. The ACT’s Science section may concern students who aren’t confident in their ability to quickly scan and interpret graphs or charts containing scientific data.

Weight of the Math Score: On the SAT, the Math section counts as 50% of the total score. On the ACT, the Math section counts as only 25%.

Math Topics Covered: The SAT’s extensive data interpretation coverage may worry students who haven’t taken a course in statistics in high school. But of equal concern to some is the ACT’s coverage of such esoteric topics as matrices, logarithms, and complex numbers.

Reference Sheet: Finally, the fact that the SAT provides a reference sheet appears to be a godsend. However, you may wonder if this free set of formulas sets you up for having to use the information in more complex ways than on the ACT, which gives you no reference information at all.

TTP PRO TIP:

Consider test length, math score weight, math topics covered, and the SAT reference sheet when comparing test difficulty.

Let’s look at some additional differences that can help you decide which test is better for you.

The SAT Is Adaptive — the ACT Is Not

Because the SAT is digital, it can be adapted individually to each student. Each section is subdivided into 2 modules. The difficulty of the second module is determined by how well you do on the first. This test design is called “section adaptive.”

Let’s use the math section to illustrate how it works. If you do well in the first Math module, you’ll receive more difficult questions in the second Math module. These more difficult questions, if answered correctly, will score you more points. The Reading and Writing section is also section-adaptive. Thus, it’s important to score well on the first module of each section (approximately 60% or better). This will give you the opportunity to answer harder, score-enhancing questions in module 2.

The ACT is still primarily a paper-and-pencil test, so it’s not section-adaptive. Thus, all students are administered the same test on exam day (with minor exceptions).

You might find that the section-adaptivity of the SAT puts more pressure on you. You know that a poor performance on the first module will automatically limit your score on that section. The ACT, on the other hand, is not section-adaptive, so students simply answer the questions that are presented.

KEY FACT:

The SAT is section-adaptive, and the ACT is not.

Scanning the Test

Another consideration is that students see only 1 question at a time on the SAT. You can move around within a section, but only 1 question appears on the screen at a time. On the other hand, ACT test-takers can easily move around within a section. You can quickly scan many questions, so it’s easier to move through the test.

KEY FACT:

You can see only 1 question at a time on the SAT digital screen.

The Content of the Two Tests

Recall that the SAT has 98 questions, and the test lasts 2 hours and 14 minutes. The ACT has 215 questions and lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes. Let’s take a look at what these questions cover in more detail.

SAT Reading and Writing

The SAT’s Reading and Writing section presents 54 questions, and you have 64 minutes to answer them. Thus, the time per question is 1 minute and 11 seconds. There is only 1 question for each passage. Each passage is short, with 25 to 150 words. The content of the passages comes from literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science. Reading and Writing questions cover the following:

KEY FACT:

The SAT’s 54 Reading and Writing questions cover reading comprehension, vocabulary, structure, usage, and punctuation.

SAT Math

SAT math topics are similar to those you’ve studied in high school. However, the way the questions are worded may be a bit different from your high school math tests. There are 44 math questions, and you have 70 minutes to answer them. Thus, you have an average of 1 minute and 35 seconds for each question.

The College Board lists 4 main Math topics. We’ve added subtopics to clarify what each one includes:

KEY FACT:

The SAT Math section covers traditional high school topics, including trigonometry and statistics.

ACT English

The ACT presents you with 4–6 long passages. You may have to answer a question about an underlined item, a section of the passage, or the entire passage. You’ll have 45 minutes to answer the 75 questions. Thus, you will have an average of 36 seconds per question. Three aspects of English are tested:

KEY FACT:

The ACT English section tests your ability to improve the organization and style of a passage and your knowledge of grammar and punctuation.

ACT Math

Many students say that ACT math is more straightforward than SAT math. ACT math questions are more like those you may have seen on math tests in high school. You have 60 minutes to answer the 60 ACT math questions. Thus, you have 1 minute per question. The table below shows the topics tested:

KEY FACT:

The ACT covers traditional high school math topics, including logarithms, matrices, and complex (imaginary) numbers.

ACT Reading

The ACT Reading section includes both long and short passages. You’ll have 35 minutes to answer 45 questions. Thus, the average is 46 seconds per question.

KEY FACT:

The ACT Reading section covers the traditional aspects of reading comprehension.

ACT Science

The Science section assesses your science reasoning, not your science knowledge or memorized science facts. There are about 6 passages, with a total of 40 questions. You’ll have 35 minutes to complete the section. Thus, you have an average of 52 seconds per question. Here is information about the types of passages in the Science section:

KEY FACT:

The ACT’s Science section tests your science reasoning skills, not your knowledge of science facts.

Before You Decide, Take Practice Tests

The bottom line is this: You can’t decide which test is easier for you until you take a practice test of each. By doing so, you’ll get a good idea of the timing, the pace, and the overall “feel” of each exam. Reading about an exam gives you only so much information. Nothing beats experiencing each! But make sure you take an official practice exam from each organization: the College Board and the American College Testing organization. This is the only effective way to compare the 2 exams.

Taking Official Practice Exams

To get your free official SAT practice test, register for an account at the College Board resources website. Then download their free Bluebook app. There are 4 free practice tests, so take the first one.

To get your free official ACT practice test, sign up for the free ACT eBook and practice test at the ACT website. You can download the eBook PDF, and you’ll find the paper-and-pencil test inside.

Be sure you take each practice test under test-day conditions:

• Give yourself time to take the entire exam in 1 sitting.
• Turn your phone off.
• Take breaks only when allowed.
• Use the same calculator you plan to use on test day.
• Take the practice test in a quiet place without distractions or interruptions.

Don’t be worried about your actual performance when you take the practice tests; rather, pay attention to your comfort level during each. Is the SAT’s digital platform easy to navigate, or do you feel more comfortable with the paper-and-pencil ACT test? How about the test pacing on each? Which Math section was easier for you? And for verbal, were the short passages of the SAT easier than the longer ACT passages? Was the Science section of the ACT a help or a hindrance? What was your energy level during and after each test?

Finally, take a look at your score and determine your SAT percentile and your ACT percentile. Now, ask yourself which test score you think you could improve more easily with a decent amount of studying. A key factor is to assess your personal strengths and weaknesses, matching them against the topics tested on each test.

TTP PRO TIP:

Assess each practice test as to its difficulty, length, and comfort level.

Key Takeaways

There is no easy answer to the age-old question: Which is easier, the ACT or the SAT? As we have seen in this article, it is what you determine is easier for you. Let’s review some of the salient facts that have been established.

• Both tests purport to measure a student’s college readiness.
• The ACT is 41 minutes longer than the SAT.
• Students have a choice between the SAT’s digital format and the ACT’s pencil-and-paper format.
• The SAT adapts the test difficulty level to the student’s abilities, whereas the ACT does not.
• The SAT has both multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank questions. The ACT has only multiple-choice questions.
• SAT multiple-choice questions have 4 answer choices. The ACT multiple-choice questions have 5 answer choices.
• The SAT math score contributes 50% to its composite score. The ACT math score contributes 25% to its composite score.
• Many students consider the SAT Math section questions to be more convoluted. ACT math, while considered more straightforward, tests a few non-standard topics.
• The SAT provides you with a reference sheet, and the ACT does not.
• The SAT Reading and Writing section presents short passages, with 1 question per passage. The ACT presents longer passages with multiple questions per passage.
• While the SAT may test you on science via a passage or 2, the ACT has a dedicated Science section that contributes 25% to the entire composite score.
• The best way to decide which test is easier for you is to take a practice exam of each. This will allow you to experience each test in its entirety.
• Determine your percentile score after you take each practice test to help you decide which test to take.

What’s Next?

It’s important that you make the best choice for yourself as to which exam is best for you. If you choose to take the SAT, you can get some great tips about doing your best on the math section of the SAT by working some example problems.

Good luck!

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