SAT vs. ACT: Which Exam Is Better for College Admissions? The SAT Exam and the ACT exam are widely accepted across top universities abroad, in all major countries like the USA, Canada, the UK lately, etc. And when SAT vs ACT comes up, there is a difference only in the exam pattern and scoring, but they are accepted for the same purpose.
SAT vs. ACT Exam
Students bound to submit ACT or SAT scores must identify the difference between the ACT and the SAT and understand their linking or comfort to decide which test is right for them to study abroad. The SAT and ACT are standardised tests scores that assess the abilities and skills needed to attend college after high school. The SAT was taken by the highest number of test takers in the year 2023, which is around 1.9 million, and the ACT was taken by 1.7 million in 2023.
What is the ACT exam?
American College Testing (ACT) exam is also a standardized exam taken by prospective undergraduates applying for admission to study abroad. The ACT exam is 2 hours and 55 minutes long and includes around 215 questions spread across different sections. This exam is divided into four sections, namely:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science
- Optional Writing section
What is the SAT exam?
Scholastic Aptitude Test, commonly referred to as SAT, is a standardized test that tests students for their reading, writing and maths knowledge. The exam is 2 Hours and 14 minutes long, consisting of two broad sections- Reading + Writing and Maths Sections. Each section of the test is divided into two modules, where a certain number of questions are tested.
SAT vs ACT: Which Is Easier?
There is no specific answer to the question as to which is easier, the SAT or the ACT. The applicants appearing for these exams can have their own choice, but it should not be influenced by the exam but rather by what suits them the best Students with a strong background in math and Science can opt for the ACT exam.
- This exam completely depends on the applicants as to what they find easier and more comfortable to give.
- Both tests assess similar skills, but the ACT is faster-paced with more questions, while the SAT focuses on Reasoning
- More and more students are taking the ACT in addition to the SAT.
-
ACT vs SAT Comparison
The two most highly recognized standardized tests used in the US college admission process are the ACT and SAT. The ACTs students’ knowledge of high school English.
| Feature | ACT | SAT |
| English Learner Supports | Supports | Doesn`t Support |
| Optional Writing Test | Yes | nO |
| Test Content Areas | English, Math, Reading, Science | Reading, Writing, and Math |
| Math Weightage in Score | 25% of the test and score | 50 % of the test and score |
| Flexibility During Test | Ability to change answered within a section | Can’t easily changes answere |
| Testing Format | Paper/ pencil and online | Digital Only |
| Shortest section | 35 minutes | 1 hour, 4 minutes |
| Longest Section | 1 hour | 1 hour, 10 minutes |
| Total Testing Time | 2 hours, 55 minutes+Optional 40 minutes essay | 2 hours, 14 minutes |
| Scoring System | Total Score: 1-36 Each Section: 1-36 |
Total Score: 400-1600 Section:200-800 each |
| Special Features | STEM score provided to colleges | No Separate STEM score |
What do most Colleges Prefer – SAT or ACT?
As such, there is no preference mentioned for foreign university websites from applicants applying for admission and where ACT or SAT exam scores are required/ There may be universities which would have scrapped Sat exam scores are required. There may be universities which would have scrapped SAT submission as part of the Admission requirements.
A lot depends on the applicant`s inclination rather than the university`s preferences. If the applicant is well-versed in math and science and has a good command over the subject throughout school, they can opt for the ACT. Those with a slight bent toward language and literature and the basics of maths can take the SAT exam. Unless mentioned on the university website, applicants should submit only that exam score with which they are comfortable.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed SAT vs. ACT: Which Exam Is Better for College Admissions. The SAT and ACT are standardised tests scores that assess the abilities and skills needed to attend college after high school. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.