One of the common questions many high school students ask is: SAT vs ACT, which one is superior? Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests that universities and colleges use to assess prospective students, despite the resemblances, a few critical variations exist between them.
The SAT test format vastly differs from the ACT test format. The SAT is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math. Conversely, the ACT is divided SAT math section into English, Math, Reading, and Science sections.
The question of whether the SAT or ACT is easier varies, depending on the student's personal strengths and deficits. 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. The SAT scoring scale stretches from 400 to 1600, whereas the ACT scores ranges from 1 to 36.
The subjects tested differ between SAT and ACT. The SAT math section emphasizes reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis, while the ACT math section covers topics from pre-algebra to trigonometry.
Choosing whether to take SAT or ACT truly depends on an individual's preferences. Both tests are accepted by most colleges and universities, so pick the exam that best represents your abilities. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.