Despite popular misconception, the SAT and ACT are actually much more similar than they are different. Both tests are essentially reasoning tests and both tests are based off of a very similar content base, so our approach to tutoring both tests is accordingly very similar. That said, there are differences between the tests. The following is a general description of the similarities and differences between the SAT and ACT. You can read more in our other posts about how to choose between the SAT and ACT and about our methodology for SAT and ACT tutoring.
“Conventional wisdom is that the ACT is a content test and the SAT a reasoning test – even many tutors and test prep companies perpetuate this myth. The truth is that they both attempt to assess a test taker’s reasoning and critical thinking ability based on a content base that is similar and that largely overlaps”.
Both tests have 4 main sections – the SAT has Reading, Writing, and 2 Math sections and the ACT has Reading, English, Math, and Science. Despite the different sounding names, the “Writing” section of the SAT and the “English” section of the ACT are actually almost identical (they are both grammar-based sections). The main difference on a structural level is that the SAT has 2 Math sections whereas the ACT subs out one of those Math sections for a Science section. Although it might seem that the ACT tests an additional “subject” by including a Science section, its better to think of the Science section as a sort of science-based reading comprehension section that includes graphs and charts. The section does NOT test what you learned in Science class! But for someone who is either really good or really bad at Math, the SAT does have two Math sections to the ACT’s one, and that IS a difference since Math represents 50% of one’s SAT score but only 25% of one’s ACT score.
Conventional wisdom is that the ACT is a content test and the SAT a reasoning test – even most tutors and test prep companies perpetuate this myth. The truth is that they both attempt to assess a test taker’s reasoning and critical thinking ability based on a content base that is similar and that largely overlaps. Really the only sections on the ACT where content is a major factor are the English and Math sections, and the volume of content tested on the ACT English section is roughly equivalent to that tested on the SAT Writing section. And while it is true that content is slightly more important on the ACT Math section it’s also the case that ACT Math questions tend to be more approachable from a strategic perspective. Really both exams draw from a similarly sized body of content and both tests seek to go beyond that content to assess how that content is applied by the test taker and the reasoning and critical thinking skills that go along with that.
The Biggest Difference Between the SAT and the ACT
The biggest difference, however, and one that is sometimes overlooked, especially by students or parents who don’t understand the tests that well, is that time is much, much tighter on the ACT. This is especially true on the Reading and Science sections where most adults would probably have difficulty finishing the sections in time. The SAT is comparatively much more generous on time, so for students who work slowly, and especially those who read slowly, the SAT is usually a better option.