ACT & SAT
SAT vs. ACT: How do the Tests Compare? What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? They’re both standardized tests and they both factor into the college admissions process. To learn about the differences between the two tests and how they compare, take a look below.
SAT | ACT |
Seven times per year | Six times per year |
SAT | ACT |
Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. | Four-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental. |
SAT | ACT |
Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none. Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice. | Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. English: stresses grammar. |
SAT | ACT |
Yes | No |
SAT | ACT |
200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score. | 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score. |
SAT | ACT |
Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken. | No. There is a “Score Choice” option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see. |
SAT | ACT |
Scholarship purposes. | Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs. |
SAT | ACT |
At least six weeks before the test date | At least four weeks before the test date |
SAT | ACT |
Educational Testing Service (ETS) (609) 771-7600 www.ets.org The College Board www.collegeboard.com | ACT, Inc. (319) 337-1000 www.ACT.org |
Reprinted from the Princeton Review website.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Appell at karen.appell@stjosephhs.org or call her at (304) 525-5096.