SAT & ACT Prep
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) run by College Board and the American College Testing (ACT) exam run by ACT inc. are both standardized tests accepted by colleges with no preference for one over the other in the admissions process. In this page we will break down the differences between the two tests in regards to content, cost, acceptance of each by colleges in coming years, and how to take the test yourself. We also will guide you to start thinking about which test best suits your educational needs aswell as provide you with some practice tests. If you have personally taken the SAT or ACT and have resources be sure to scroll all the way below and let us know !
For Rising seniors here are the upcoming test dates for the SAT & ACT. Be sure to register on time. If you are applying to a school that requires your standardized test scores , be sure to sign up in time to have your scores released and set for your college application.
What is the difference between the SAT & ACT ?
SAT
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Time: 3 hours max
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Questions: 154 questions + 1 optional essay
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Score Range: 400-1600
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Price : $52
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Content Assessed:
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Reading
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Math
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Grammar & Usage
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No Science Section
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Retakes : Unlimited
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Average Score: 1051 ( equivalent to a 20 on the ACT )
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Scoring : You lose points for incorrect answers on multiple choice section
ACT
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Time: 2 hours & 55 minutes + 40 minute optional writing test
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Questions: 215 + 1 optional essay
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Score Range: 1-36
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Price: $55 & $70 with optional essay
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A Fee Waiver for the ACT is available only through high school counselors. Please contact yours if you are interested in one.
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Content Assessed:
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Reading
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Math
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Grammar & Usage
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Science Reasoning
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Retakes: Can only take the test 12 times
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Average Score: 21 (equivalent to around a 1085 on the SAT)
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Scoring: There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Only correct answers are counted.
vs.
Testing Requirements for Colleges
Some colleges have taken recent events with COVID-19 to re-evaluate their decisions on whether standardized testing is not only practical but also necessary for future years. For example, all UC Schools no longer require the SAT, they will only view your score & incorporate it into their decision if you as a student choose to submit it. Here is a list of colleges and their different policies.
***You can use Ctrl+F to find a specific college***
Some colleges require the essay portion on standardized tests as well, so make sure to keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to pay the extra fee! From our understanding, the SAT with essays is no longer offered. Here is the complete list for colleges who require ACT essay:
Which Should I take ?
It's important to remember one test isn't more liked by colleges and neither of the tests are harder than the other. TSP recommends you choose which standardized test to take based on your skills. If you have a strong suit in science that you are confident in, then maybe you'll lean more towards the ACT due to the science section it includes in order to showcase your skills. The SAT does not have a science section. If you have a strong suit in math, it can be possible you'll lean more towards the ACT as well since it has a larger math section with more mathematical content over the SAT. If you enjoy critical thinking & more, then you may lean more towards the SAT. The ACT has more straightforward questions, with less time compared to the SAT. The SAT has questions that test your critical thinking skills slightly more than the ACT would, and you have more time. If you are a writer with strong vocabulary , grammar and analyzing skills, you may lean more towards the SAT. Of course , these are only recommendations towards which path you should try to focus on. It is still valid to take practice tests to both and see which you perform better in.
Practice Tests & Studying Resources for the ACT:
Practice Tests & Studying resources for the SAT: