ACT or SAT, Which One Should You Take (or Not?)

For every student heading to college, the ACT and SAT tests are a part of the decision process. If you’re wondering which one you should take or whether you should take one at all - this blog post is for you! In it, we break down the differences between the ACT and the SAT so you can determine which test is better for you. Let’s dive in! If you’re ready to start studying today, sign up for our ACT/SAT test prep package.

Many Colleges and Universities Have Gone Test-Optional

Many colleges and universities have not required the ACT or SAT tests for admission since the pandemic started.

In fact, early in the pandemic ACT testing was not offered due to COVID restrictions. Even after restrictions were lifted in many states, completing a scheduled test was difficult for many students. In late 2020, one of our students, a high school junior, had her test canceled twice and was then informed the day before the third rescheduled test that her exam was being moved to a facility three hours away. I don’t know many teenagers who would perform well on a test that starts at 8:30 a.m. after they’ve been in the car for three hours. Conditions like this meant it was impossible for colleges to require scores for admission. 

Is the school you’re interested in a “test-optional” school?

Schools that do not require ACT or SAT scores are called “test-optional” schools. As of now, many schools are making the decision to be test-optional on a yearly basis rather than installing a permanent policy. It would be advisable to check with the colleges you’re considering to determine if they are likely to require test scores.

As of now, both University of Louisville and University of Kentucky are test-optional. 

Here is a resource from ACT to help determine what test-optional might mean for you. 

Standardized Tests May Not Be the Best Indicator of College Success

Research suggests that standardized test scores may not be the best indicator of college success. It’s been two years and testing conditions are mostly back to normal, so why aren’t schools requiring test scores again? There is some controversy on this topic.

Studies conducted by ACT affiliates show that standardized testing is a great predictor of college readiness and success. However, many other independent studies refute this.

According to this study, the correlation between ACT scores and college graduates is weak compared to GPA, meaning having a good ACT score didn’t reliably line up with the likelihood to graduate college. This makes sense if you think about it. What seems more likely to predict college success, how a student performed on a single day over the course of three to four hours for a standardized test or their scaled measurement of academic success over a three-to-four-year period? Our vote is for GPA. 

However, an argument can be made for standardized testing over GPA in that it measures everyone by the same standards. We regularly work with students from several different school districts at both public and private schools. We have found that there can be vast differences in what constitutes an “A” from school to school. I know of schools where 90% or lower is an A, which equals 4.0, and others where the same GPA requires 97% or greater. The classes taken and the difficulty of the school can also skew GPA for some students. In the long run, research shows that taking a comprehensive look at both GPA and standardized test scores can be most effective for determining success. 

Why Take the ACT or SAT At All?

Is standardized testing becoming obsolete? The answer is yes and no. In truth, it’s complicated and every circumstance is different. There are definite benefits to earning a high ACT or SAT test score, but if you’re not able to do that, luckily it doesn’t mean that college is off the table.

There can be several benefits to applying to college with strong standardized test scores. Some colleges use ACT scores to place students in classes during their freshman year. For example, if a student scores well in the math section it might qualify them to skip entry-level math classes, saving time and money. Another benefit is that it may make a student’s application stand out if their GPA is similar to other applicants. 

Having a high ACT or SAT score can also result in scholarship money. For example, The Merit scholarship is awarded to top PSAT students who qualify. There are also colleges that award scholarships or aid to students with top scores. 

Which test is better, ACT or SAT, and what’s the difference?

To find out which test is better for you, you need to know about how the test is structured and what your academic strengths are. Let’s break it down!

This chart breaks down the different sections in the ACT and the SAT as well as the length of time you have for each section and how you can budget your time for all questions.

ACT vs. SAT: English, Writing, and Language Section Comparisons

The ACT’s English section is comparable to the SAT’s Writing and Language section.

In the English section of the ACT, questions come from three categories:

• Production of Writing (development of the topic, organization, unity, and cohesion)

• Knowledge of Language (concise language and consistent style and tone)

• Conventions of Standard English (sentence structure, punctuation, and word usage). 

The Writing and Language section of the SAT comprises questions from five categories:

•  Command of Evidence (understanding supportive evidence)

• Words in Context (vocabulary)

• Analysis in History/Social Studies and Science (reading and improving informational writing)

• Expressions of Ideas (idea structure and organization)

• Standard English Conventions (sentence structure, punctuation, and word usage)

As you can see, the ACT English section has five categories while the SAT Writing and Language has only four. Both include a mix of informational text, but the SAT may ask students to analyze graphs or diagrams while the ACT is strictly text-based questions.

There are more questions to answer on the ACT, but they tend to be a bit more straightforward and require less analysis. SAT is the opposite. 

Verdict: If you prefer having more time to answer fewer questions that are more analytical, you may do better on the SAT. If you prefer more structure and rule-based questions and are able to make decisions quickly, ACT may be a better fit.

ACT vs. SAT: Reading and Science Section Comparisons

The ACT’s Reading and Science sections are comparable to the SAT’s Reading sections.

The ACT’s Reading Section questions include three categories:

• Key Ideas and Detail (themes and conclusions)

• Craft and Structure (reading comprehension)

• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (understanding fact vs. opinion). 

There are four sections each with ten questions. The sections include one literary narrative, prose, or fiction passage, and three informational passages including social studies, humanities, and natural science. 

The SAT’s Reading section questions are based on:

•  Information and Ideas (textual evidence, central ideas and themes)

• Summarizing (interpreting words and phrases and understanding relationships)

• Rhetoric (analyzing text for structure, purpose, and point of view)

• Synthesis (comparing multiple texts)

There are five sections in this section, four longer ones to be analyzed individually, and two short ones to be compared. Sections usually include literature, history, social studies, and science. At least two of the passages usually include supplementary material in the form of tables or graphs that much be analyzed to answer questions.

Overall, the ACT’s reading questions are similar in difficulty level compared to that of a college freshman, while the SAT’s questions range in difficulty from 9th grade to college freshman. The SAT’s reading questions are more likely to be answered in the order they appear in the passage, while you may have to skip around in passages to answer ACT questions. 

Verdict: If you can read and answer questions quickly, ACT may be a better fit. If you prefer to take more time and analyze the best possible answer, SAT may work better for you. 

ACT vs. SAT: Math Section Comparisons

The ACT’s Math section is comparable to the SAT’s Math section. 

There are many differences in the structure and types of questions on the two tests. The chart summarizes the differences.

This chart details the differences in the Math sections on both the SAT and the ACT test.

VERDICT: When it comes to choosing which test is right for you there are several factors. If you prefer to use a calculator to problem solve, know your formulas, have a higher understanding of math, and prefer straightforward questions, then the ACT may be the better fit. 

If you have strong basic math skills, prefer not to memorize formulas, and want more time to reason through complex problems, then the SAT may be a better fit. 

If you’re unsure of your math skills in general, then the ACT may be a better fit as the math section comprises a smaller percentage of your overall score and you may be able to compensate with higher score in other areas.

ACT vs. SAT: Science Section Comparisons

The ACT’s Science section does not have a direct comparison to the SAT.

The ACT’s Science section does not require a student to have specific scientific knowledge. Its focus is data analysis. Students are required to find answers by interpreting graphs and charts along with short reading passages containing experimental data. 

VERDICT: If you are strong in quickly interpreting scientific data, then ACT may be a better fit for you since it comprises 25% of the overall score.

Which Will You Take - the ACT or SAT?

Ultimately, the best way to determine which test is best for you is to take a full practice test of each. Once you determine which test fits within your given skill set, then you can narrow your focus on raising your score on that test. 

Grace Place Learning Center can help you figure out which test is right for you and build the skills you need to raise your score. In our ACT/SAT test prep program, we provide customized, one-on-one instruction to improve your confidence AND test scores.

You can see upcoming test dates and locations and schedule your practice test.