The Top 10 Differences Between the SAT and ACT Tests

High school students are often perplexed with the question: Which is better, SAT or ACT? Universities and colleges use both SAT and ACT to evaluate potential students, but there exist some key differences between the two.

There's a significant difference between SAT and ACT test format. The SAT is split into two parts: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, along with Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Deciding which test is easier between SAT or ACT depends entirely on a student's strengths and weaknesses. Students with robust reading and writing expertise might find the SAT more suitable. Science-minded students, on the other hand, may find the ACT to be a better fit.

The SAT and ACT also diverge in terms of scoring scales. The SAT scoring scale stretches from 400 SAT practice tests to 1600, while the ACT score ranges from 1 to 36.

There's a clear difference between subjects tested in SAT and ACT. The SAT math focuses greatly on reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis abilities, whereas the ACT math section spans a wide range of topics from pre-algebra to trigonometry.

Deciding which test to take - SAT or ACT - is ultimately a matter of personal choice. Most colleges and universities accept either SAT or ACT scores, so it's crucial to choose the test that best reflects your abilities. Ultimately, the selection of the test becomes less crucial than how well students can perform on their chosen test.