SAT VS. ACT

Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?

There’s no ‘One Size Fits All’ answer to this question. Virtually every college accepts either test for admission, so one test is not fundamentally better than the other. Therefore, we highly recommend picking one test and sticking with it, instead of spreading yourself thin across two exams that serve the exact same purpose; focus on one and turn to the other only as a last resort. (TestTakers is experienced at helping families navigate this process. Feel free to contact us for resources and guidance.)

How are the SAT and ACT different?

For now, the biggest difference is an obvious one: the SAT is transitioning to a digital, adaptive test, while the ACT continues to be a paper test. The new SAT format allows it to accurately assess students with a much shorter exam: specifically, the SAT allots 134 minutes (2 hours and 14 minutes) to finish 98 questions, while the ACT allots 175 minutes (just under 3 hours) to complete 215 questions. Thus, students taking the SAT have 68% more time per question than their ACT counterparts, making speed a much more important factor on the ACT. While the tests continue to have a fair amount in common in terms of content, the ACT contains a Science section that does not have a parallel on the SAT, and the ACT also contains more advanced Math concepts than the SAT.

Why do you focus primarily on the SAT?

Three main reasons speak to focusing on the SAT. First, almost all colleges ‘Super-score’ SAT results: they count only your best sub-scores, even if they are from different dates. Colleges, overall, do not Super-score the ACT as readily. Second, as previously noted, the SAT covers less ground, so it simply requires less prep. There is no Science section, fewer obscure Math concepts, and with significantly more time available per question, most students require fewer timing strategies on the SAT. Finally, since students have already been primed to take the digital SAT by taking the digital PSAT in the fall of 11th grade, it is a significantly more familiar exam as well.

Do you offer any ACT preparation?

Yes, in certain locations! Our “ACT Booster Course” is offered to students who have already completed our SAT program and still wish to pursue the ACT. Because the two exams test many of the same concepts and are vulnerable to many of the same techniques, our SAT course effectively prepares students for roughly 75% of what they will see on the ACT. To cover the additional 25%, we offer a 4-week ACT Booster Course designed to catch students up to speed on the extra material, including the Science section and the more advanced Math concepts.

We do not run ACT courses for new students, as our philosophy is that it makes more sense to start with the SAT, which covers less material and offers more generous timing. (See “Why do you focus primarily on the SAT?” above.