The Differences between the Two Tests
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
Both tests are accepted by most universities in the US. However, as they have slight differences, it is recommended that candidates should take the test they would fare better in.
Should you be unable to decide which test might be more suitable for you, a good way to gauge your expertise is to attempt a full length practice test for both. IvyPrep offers free diagnostic tests for both the SAT and ACT. Upon completion of the tests, a detailed score report would be generated to assist with your decision in which test you should sit for.
Here are some key differences between the SAT and ACT:
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Composite score of 400 - 1600 | Composite score out of 36 (average of all 4 sections) |
| Format | Paper and Pencil | Computerized |
| Dates | Offered five times a year: March May August October December | Offered seven times a year: February April June July September October December |
| Math Formulas | Geometry formulas are provided | To be memorized |
| Calculator Policy | Allowed in one Math sub-section | Allowed in Math section |
| Science Section | No | Yes |
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
The types of questions in each section of the SAT and the ACT vary. Ultimately, the best way to know which test is a better fit for you is to attempt both. Click here to schedule a free SAT and/or ACT Diagnostic Test.
The key differences in concepts tested on the SAT and the ACT are here:
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions are always in chronological order; a number line is provided. You are given approx. 13 minutes per passage. | Questions are not in chronological order — being able to remember the location of exact details in passages gives you an advantage. You are given approx. 8 minutes per passage. |
| Writing | More focused on questions about writing style, language precision and vocabulary. | More focused on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and big idea questions. |
| Math | Focus on Algebra, along with other topics such as Data Analysis and Modeling. | Wider range of Mathematical concepts — such as logarithms, graphs of trigonometry functions, and matrices. |
| Science | No Science Section. Scientific data and passages present in Reading and Writing sections. | Comfort with scientific terms and experience gathering scientific data from charts and graphs will give you a greater advantage on the ACT. |
| Essay | Read a passage and explain how the author uses certain strategies to build an argument and persuade an audience. For those who are good at critically analysing texts. | Analyze three perspectives on an issue and present your own. For those good at logic and debate. |
The Differences between the Two Tests
SAT-to-ACT Score Conversion
It is increasingly common for students to take both the SAT and the ACT as they prepare to apply to universities. The table below will help you decide which score will benefit your application most. For instance, if you scored a 1390 on the SAT and a 31 on the ACT, these scores will be regarded as exactly the same by universities. However, if you score 1130 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT, it would benefit you to send universities your ACT scores because a 27 out of 36 is a better score than 1130 out of 1600.
| SAT Composite Score | ACT Composite Score |
|---|---|
| 1570 - 1600 | 36 |
| 1530 - 1560 | 35 |
| 1490 - 1520 | 34 |
| 1450 - 1480 | 33 |
| 1420 - 1440 | 32 |
| 1390 - 1410 | 31 |
| 1360 - 1380 | 30 |
| 1330 - 1350 | 29 |
| 1300 - 1320 | 28 |
| 1260 - 1290 | 27 |
| 1230 - 1250 | 26 |
| 1200 - 1220 | 25 |
| 1160 - 1190 | 24 |
| 1130 - 1150 | 23 |
| 1100 - 1120 | 22 |
| 1060 - 1090 | 21 |
| 1030 - 1050 | 20 |
| 990 - 1020 | 19 |
| 960 - 980 | 18 |
| 920 - 950 | 17 |
| 880 - 910 | 16 |
| 830 - 870 | 15 |
| 780 - 820 | 14 |
| 730 - 770 | 13 |
| 690 - 720 | 12 |
| 650 - 680 | 11 |
| 620 - 640 | 10 |
| 590 - 610 | 9 |
- SAT vs ACT
-
The Differences between the Two Tests
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
Both tests are accepted by most universities in the US. However, as they have slight differences, it is recommended that candidates should take the test they would fare better in.
Should you be unable to decide which test might be more suitable for you, a good way to gauge your expertise is to attempt a full length practice test for both. IvyPrep offers free diagnostic tests for both the SAT and ACT. Upon completion of the tests, a detailed score report would be generated to assist with your decision in which test you should sit for.
Here are some key differences between the SAT and ACT:
SAT ACT Scoring Composite score of 400 - 1600 Composite score out of 36 (average of all 4 sections) Format Paper and Pencil Computerized Dates Offered five times a year:
March
May
August
October
DecemberOffered seven times a year:
February
April
June
July
September
October
DecemberMath Formulas Geometry formulas are provided To be memorized Calculator Policy Allowed in one Math sub-section Allowed in Math section Science Section No Yes Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
The types of questions in each section of the SAT and the ACT vary. Ultimately, the best way to know which test is a better fit for you is to attempt both. Click here to schedule a free SAT and/or ACT Diagnostic Test.
The key differences in concepts tested on the SAT and the ACT are here:
SAT ACT Reading Questions are always in chronological order; a number line is provided. You are given approx. 13 minutes per passage. Questions are not in chronological order — being able to remember the location of exact details in passages gives you an advantage. You are given approx. 8 minutes per passage. Writing More focused on questions about
writing style, language precision and
vocabulary.More focused on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and big idea questions. Math Focus on Algebra, along with other topics such as Data Analysis and Modeling. Wider range of Mathematical concepts — such as logarithms, graphs of trigonometry
functions, and matrices.Science No Science Section. Scientific data and passages present in Reading and Writing sections. Comfort with scientific terms and experience gathering scientific data from charts and graphs will give you a greater advantage on the ACT. Essay Read a passage and explain how the author uses certain strategies to build an argument and persuade an audience.
For those who are good at critically analysing texts.Analyze three perspectives on an issue and present your own.
For those good at logic and debate. - Score Conversion
-
The Differences between the Two Tests
SAT-to-ACT Score Conversion
It is increasingly common for students to take both the SAT and the ACT as they prepare to apply to universities. The table below will help you decide which score will benefit your application most. For instance, if you scored a 1390 on the SAT and a 31 on the ACT, these scores will be regarded as exactly the same by universities. However, if you score 1130 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT, it would benefit you to send universities your ACT scores because a 27 out of 36 is a better score than 1130 out of 1600.
SAT Composite Score ACT Composite Score 1570 - 1600 36 1530 - 1560 35 1490 - 1520 34 1450 - 1480 33 1420 - 1440 32 1390 - 1410 31 1360 - 1380 30 1330 - 1350 29 1300 - 1320 28 1260 - 1290 27 1230 - 1250 26 1200 - 1220 25 1160 - 1190 24 1130 - 1150 23 1100 - 1120 22 1060 - 1090 21 1030 - 1050 20 990 - 1020 19 960 - 980 18 920 - 950 17 880 - 910 16 830 - 870 15 780 - 820 14 730 - 770 13 690 - 720 12 650 - 680 11 620 - 640 10 590 - 610 9