High school students are often perplexed with the question: Which is better, SAT or ACT? Universities and colleges use both SAT and ACT to evaluate potential students, but there are significant distinctions between them.
There's a significant difference between SAT and ACT test format. The SAT is split into two parts: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, along with Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
Students' strengths and review insights weaknesses determine which test is easier, the SAT or ACT. The SAT may be more suitable for students with strong reading and writing skills. Alternatively, science-oriented students might have an edge with the ACT.
The scoring scale also differs for both tests. For the SAT, scores can range from 400 to 1600, whereas the ACT scores ranges from 1 to 36.
SAT and ACT test subjects also noticeably diverge. The SAT math focuses greatly on reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis abilities, while the ACT math section covers topics from pre-algebra to trigonometry.
The decision to take the SAT or ACT is ultimately dependent on a student's individual strengths and choice. Most schools will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, therefore, it's advantageous to select the test where you can best demonstrate your strengths. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.