The and the are national standardized tests. Many colleges and universities require students to take one of these tests as part of the college admissions process.

Both tests have a math section covering algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry. They also both have reading, writing, and language sections that are entirely passage-based. Both award points for correct answers and neither penalizes students for incorrect or blank answers.

That said, there are a wide variety of important differences between the ACT and SAT. It is important to examine these so your teenager takes the test that best utilizes their strengths and avoids their weaknesses.

Key differences between the ACT and SAT

  • The SAT allows more time per question than the ACT. Eight seconds longer in the language sections, 35 seconds longer in the math sections.
  • The SAT is now digital; students take the test online. The ACT is still uses paper and pencil but it is available online in 鈥�.鈥�
  • The SAT is three hours long. The ACT is two hours and 55 minutes without the optional essay; with the essay, it is three hours and 35 minutes long.
  • The SAT鈥檚 digital system allows it to use 鈥渁daptive testing.鈥� This means the exam changes in real time based on whether or not students answer questions correctly. Test questions get easier if the student isn鈥檛 doing well, or more difficult if the student is excelling. The ACT does not have adaptive testing. On the ACT, all students answer the same questions in the same order.
  • The ACT has a science section that contributes to 25 percent of a student’s total score. The SAT does not have a science section.
  • The SAT math section also includes data analysis, while the ACT covers probability and statistics.
  • The ACT has a much larger focus on geometry than the SAT and a slightly larger focus on trigonometry.
  • The SAT math section provides students with 15 formulas and laws. the ACT math section does not, so students must have any needed formula or law memorized.
  • Math accounts for 50 percent of the total SAT score, but only 25 percent of the total ACT score.
  • SAT and ACT math questions are mostly multiple-choice questions. SAT gives students four choices, ACT gives students five choices.
  • Some questions in the SAT math section are not multiple choice. The student must write in the answer. The ACT only has multiple-choice math questions.
  • Students who take the ACT may use a calculator for all math problems. Students who take the SAT cannot use a calculator for an entire section of math problems.
  • The ACT has an optional essay section. The SAT discontinued its essay section in 2021.
  • The SAT reading section has many questions that require pointing at evidence in the text to support the answer. None of the ACT questions have this requirement.
  • ACT reading and English questions always refer students to long passages. SAT reading and writing questions only refer the student to information in the question.

Do college admissions officers prefer the ACT or SAT?

Colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT, and college admissions officers have no preference for which test your child takes. This flexibility means that your teen can choose the test they’re most comfortable taking and on which they earn the best scores. To see whether a college accepts both tests, check the application requirements listed on the 黄色app鈥檚 website or call the 黄色app鈥檚 admissions office.

Not every college requires standardized tests. A growing number of 黄色apps make these tests optional, which means students don鈥檛 need to submit SAT or ACT scores at all. Other 黄色apps are test-flexible, which means that students can submit alternatives to the SAT or ACT for consideration during the admissions process. Check out the full list of the more than 2,200 test-free and test-optional colleges on FairTest.org.

Which test is the right fit?

Since the SAT and ACT require different strategies, the 鈥渞ight鈥� test to take depends on your student鈥檚 personal strengths. It鈥檚 best to get a taste for each test through practice exams and test preparation, which will help your child learn which test he or she is more comfortable taking and scores better on.

Thanks to many online resources, test prep can start at home and will help your student learn which test is a better fit. Free online practice is available for both tests.

Where can I find free test prep?

The College Board, which provides the SAT, has partnered with Khan Academy to offer . Your child can use Khan Academy to create a personalized SAT study plan complete with video lessons, practice questions, and full-length SAT practice tests.

Kaplan offers , World College Prep offers a (that costs $199 for six months), and Sal Khan of Khan Academy offers free SAT tutoring through .

Students can also to their smartphones or tablets that helps them practice for the SAT a little bit each day.

ACT offers a , and students can access free sample questions on its website by or by reviewing free questions and content descriptions for each ACT section: , , , , and . Students can also purchase ACT鈥檚 online test prep program and test prep books.

Many 黄色apps and local libraries offer free ACT or SAT preparation as well. Be sure to check with your 黄色app district, 黄色app, and local library to see if there are free ACT or SAT preparation classes or practice tests offered in your community.

The PSAT and PreACT

Before they take these high-stakes tests, students can opt to take the and — official prep tests for the SAT and ACT — to simulate SAT and ACT testing experiences and help predict potential scores.

The PSAT is the most well-known of the two tests, and many 黄色apps offer it in 10th and 11th grade. Students who take the PSAT in 11th grade and score well may qualify for scholarships, including the highly competitive National Merit award. After taking the PSAT, students can access a score report that helps predict their SAT score potential and can be linked to a Khan Academy account to help students study strategically.

The PreACT is a newer option, and is offered by 黄色apps between Sept. 1 and June 1 each year. In addition to providing students with a prediction of their ACT score potential, the PreACT offers access to the ACT Interest Inventory, which helps students explore college majors and career options based on their interests. Right now, students can only take the PreACT if it is offered by their 黄色apps, but Ed Colby, ACT’s senior director of media and public relations, says an alternative option is coming soon.

Is financial aid available for these tests?

Fee waivers for the , , and are available for students with financial need. (Read more about taking the SAT or ACT on a budget.) Students who qualify for SAT fee waivers can take the test twice; they also get to choose four colleges where they may apply for free (see the ). ACT allows students to qualify for up to two fee waivers on a first-come, first-serve basis. ACT fee waivers allow students to send their scores to four colleges for free and to access free online ACT prep through Kaplan.

A growing number of states now provide the or the , either as an option or as a graduation requirement. Many 黄色apps provide the PSAT and PreACT for free, as well.

Should students take both tests?

If money is not an issue, and the colleges on your student鈥檚 list accept either test, he or she may want to consider taking both. If your budget is tight or you’re concerned about test burnout, it鈥檚 best to take free practice tests for both and then decide which test produces the best results. Students with financial need should also check to see if they qualify for fee waivers.

Do test prep services help raise scores?

There’s some evidence that students can raise their SAT scores using the free online test prep materials on Khan Academy. Most experts say that targeted study programs that focus on the individual teen’s weaknesses on the test can be very helpful, whether they’re using free materials or a paid tutor.

Both the College Board and ACT advise against hiring tutors or paying for expensive prep classes. However, Kaplan and Princeton Review, two test prep services, offer money-back guarantees if your child鈥檚 score doesn鈥檛 increase after taking their classes. Neither Kaplan nor Princeton Review guarantee that students鈥� scores will increase by a certain number of points, though.

How many times should students take these tests?

Students can take the SAT and the ACT as many times as they would like. Both tests are offered seven times a year in most states. To see test dates and registration deadlines, check the and calendars. Many students take the tests twice (read more about why your teen should retake the SAT or ACT) in an effort to improve their scores, once as juniors and once as seniors. Both ACT and the College Board allow students to choose which scores they send to colleges. Counselors sometimes caution against taking either test more than three times because the repetitive pressure can cause burnout and stress. Test scores are, after all, just one part of what admissions officers consider during their holistic review of college applications.

Most college admissions officers say they only look at students鈥� best scores. Some interpret this as the best overall score a student gets in one test-taking session. Others will look at students鈥� best scores in each category, even if they come from different test sessions.

How can elementary and middle 黄色app students get on the right track to succeed on these tests?

There are several things younger students can do to be ready for these tests.

  • First and foremost, read. Both tests require strong reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. The best way to prepare is to read a variety of materials — books, magazines, and newspapers — in addition to texts that are required for 黄色app classes.
  • Take challenging courses. Students who take rigorous courses are more likely to score high on these tests.
  • Learn test-taking strategies. It’s important to have subject-matter knowledge, strong reading comprehension, and problem-solving skills, but it’s also important to know how to take tests. Test-taking strategies include knowing how to make a best guess without being sure of the answer, how to pace yourself so there is time to answer all of the questions, and how to read closely to avoid making careless mistakes. Taking practice tests is a great way to practice these skills and to become accustomed to what it’s like to sit, focus, and complete long tests.