Test prep & study skillsAges 15–185 min read
By Emma ·
SAT or ACT: How to Choose the Right Test
How the SAT and ACT differ in format, timing and content, and a simple way for your teen to pick one and plan their prep.
Colleges that ask for a test score accept either the SAT or the ACT, and they do not prefer one over the other. So the real question is which test suits your teen. Both have changed recently, which makes older advice unreliable.
Have your teen take one full practice test of each, compare how the scores and the experience felt, then pick one and prepare for it properly. Check each college's testing policy, because requirements differ and have been changing.
What the tests look like now
The SAT is fully digital and taken in the College Board's Bluebook app. It lasts 2 hours 14 minutes and has two sections, Reading and Writing, then Math. It is adaptive: how a student does on the first part of each section decides how hard the second part is. Scores run from 400 to 1600.
The ACT has also been shortened. Its core is three sections, English, Math and Reading, taking about 2 hours 5 minutes. Science is now an optional section and is not part of the Composite score, and the Writing essay remains optional. The ACT is not adaptive, and students can take it on paper or online. Composite scores run from 1 to 36.
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Core sections | Reading and Writing; Math | English; Math; Reading |
| Core testing time | 2 hours 14 minutes | About 2 hours 5 minutes |
| Optional sections | None | Science (40 minutes); Writing (40 minutes) |
| Format | Digital only, adaptive | Paper or online, not adaptive |
| Score scale | 400 to 1600 | 1 to 36 |
Both tests have been updated in the last few years, so prep books and practice tests from before the changes will not match what your teen sits. Confirm the current format, dates and fees on the College Board and ACT websites before you register.
How they feel different
- Pacing. The ACT asks more questions in its time, so it tends to feel faster. The SAT gives a little more time per question.
- Reading. SAT reading uses many short passages with one question each. ACT reading uses longer passages with several questions.
- Math. Math is half of the SAT score. On the ACT it is one of three core sections, so it carries less weight.
- Science. Only the ACT has a separate Science section, and it is now optional.
- Format. A teen who prefers paper can still choose it for the ACT.
A live class on this1-on-1 AP Chemistry TutoringAges 15–18How to choose in three steps
1. Take one official practice test of each
Use free official practice from each test maker, timed and in one sitting, a week or two apart.
2. Compare scores and experience
Use an official concordance table to compare the two scores. Then ask your teen which test felt more manageable. If the scores are close, go with the one they preferred.
3. Commit to one
Preparing for both splits time and attention. Pick one, plan the prep and sit it twice if needed.
Should my teen take ACT Science?
Because Science is optional and does not count toward the Composite, the answer depends on the colleges. Some colleges or programs, especially in science and engineering, may want to see it. Check the requirements for each college on your teen's list, and if in doubt, taking it keeps options open.
Does my teen need a test at all?
Policies vary. Some colleges require a score, some are test-optional and a few do not consider scores. Several have changed their policy in recent years, so check each college's admissions page for the year your teen applies. Scores can also matter for some scholarships.
Planning the prep
Many students first sit the test in the spring of junior year and again in the autumn of senior year. Working backwards, two to three months of steady preparation before the first sitting is a common plan.
Our guides on making a study plan for a big test and Khan Academy SAT prep versus a live SAT class go into more detail.
Review every missed question on a practice test before taking another. Understanding mistakes raises scores more than piling up extra tests.
Frequently asked questions
Do colleges prefer the SAT or the ACT?
No. Colleges that consider test scores accept both and treat them equally.
Is one test easier?
Not in general. Some students do better on one because of pacing or format, which is why a practice test of each is the best guide.
Should my teen take both?
Usually not. Once practice tests show which suits them, focusing on one makes better use of time.
How many times should they take it?
Two sittings is common. Many students improve on a second attempt after reviewing their first results.
Prepare with a teacher
Live test prep classes give teens a plan, timed practice and feedback on the questions they miss.
