An Sat/act Comparison Chart
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1An SAT/ACT Comparison Chart
The SAT* and ACT are both standardized tests used by colleges for admissions purposes. Both are usually taken on a Saturday
morning with a No. 2 pencil in hand. Most colleges/universities accept either test interchangeably. That said, they aren’t the same test.
Here’s a quick look at how they stack up against one another.
SAT
ACT
Length
225 minutes (3 hours and 45 minutes testing time)
205 minutes (3 hours and 25 minutes testing time)
Structure
3 Math sections (70 minutes, 54 questions)
1 Math test (60 minutes, 60 questions)
3 Critical Reading sections (70 minutes, 67 questions)
1 Reading test (35 minutes, 40 questions)
3 Writing sections (60 minutes, 49 questions, 1 essay)
1 English Test (45 minutes, 45 questions)
1 Experimental section (Math/Reading/Writing) - unscored
1 Science test (35 minutes, 40 questions)
1 Writing test (Optional) (30 minutes, 1 essay prompt)
Scoring
3 subject (Math, Critical Reading, Writing) scores: 200-800
Composite score of 1-36 based on the average scores from the
Possible score range: 600-2400
individual tests
Separate essay score of 0-12
Individual test scores of 1-36 (Math, Reading English, Science)
Optional Writing test score of 2-12 (optional)
Math Content
Arithmetic Operations
Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra
Algebra
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry
Geometry
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry
Statistics and Probability
Reading
Reading Comprehension (passage-based)
Reading Comprehension (passage-based)
Content
Sentence Completions (vocabulary)
Science
Not tested
Interpretation
Analysis
Evaluation
Reasoning
Problem-Solving
English/Writing
Writing Skills
Usage/Mechanics (English test)
Content
Grammar and Usage
Rhetorical Skills (English test)
Writing Skills (Writing test)
Essay
Part of the writing test
Separate (optional) essay test
When Offered
7 times a year: October, November, December, January,
6 times a year: September, October, December, February, April,
March, May, June
June
Cost
$52.50
$38 (no Writing), $54.50 (with Optional Writing)
Fee waivers available
Fee waivers available
*The SAT is changing in 2016 (2015 for the PSAT). This chart outlines the differences between the current SAT and the ACT.
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