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Should You Take the ACT or SAT?

Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. All schools accept either test. So as you begin to think about college and creating the best application package possible, your admissions plan should begin with a question, “Which test should I take?”

What’s the Difference Between the ACT and SAT?

Test Structure and Format

ACT SAT

Length | 3 hours, 25 minutes (with Writing) | 3 hours, 45 minutes |

Structure | 4 Sections(English, Math, Reading, Science)plus an optional Writing Test | 10 Sections(3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and 1 Experimental, which is unscored ) |

Scoring

ACT SAT

Score | Composite of 1-36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections4 scores of 1-36 for each testOptional Writing Test score of 0-12 (not included in the overall score) | Total score range of 600-2400 based on adding scores from 3 subjects3 scores of 200-800 for each subjectScore of 0-12 for the Essay |

Wrong Answer Penalty | No penalty for wrong answers | ¼ point subtracted from your raw score for each wrong answer (except for Math Grid-Ins) |

Sending Score History | You decide which score is sent | You decide which score is sentSome colleges require you to send all scores, check with the college to be sure |

Content

ACT SAT

Reading | Reading Comprehension | Reading ComprehensionSentence Completions |

Math | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II |

Science | Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, Basic Content, Problem Solving | Not applicable |

Essay | Optional First Section30 minutesNot included in Composite ScoreTopic of importance to high school students | First Section25 minutesFactored into overall scoreMore abstract topic |

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