The ACT vs. SAT is a topic that has been debated for a long time. Many students often get confused as to which examination to sit for. Both ACT (American College Testing) and SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) are acceptable across almost all colleges in the United States of America (USA). Both examinations also have sections on Writing, Reading, and Mathematics, while ACT has an optional essay.
The similarities do not end there; be it SAT or ACT, there are no penalties for any wrong answers. So which one should it be? ACT or SAT? Here’s the lowdown.
Here are some more parameters which will help you understand the SAT and ACT difference.
Scores-
Here is a table that gives you the equivalent scores across both examinations:
Parameter
ACT
SAT
How frequently is the test held?
It takes place six times every year
It takes place seven times every year in the USA and five times each year globally
Examination Costs
The costs are $150 and $166.50 with and without the essay respectively. There is an international testing fee as well. Indian students have to pay approximately INR 11-12,000 as this charge, based on exchange rates.
The costs are $101-$117 on average. The costs are roughly INR 7,400-8,700 for Indian students, depending upon exchange rates. There are international testing charges as well.
The ACT requires 2 hours and 55 minutes without the essay while it takes 3 hours and 55 minutes with the optional essay. On the other hand, SAT requires 3 hours to complete.
The English section requires 45 minutes (75 questions in ACT) while it requires 35 minutes (44 questions) in SAT. The Math portion covers 60 questions and 60 minutes for ACT. It covers 58 questions and 80 minutes in SAT. The Reading section covers 35 minutes (40 questions) in ACT and 65 minutes (52 questions) in SAT. The Science portion covers 35 minutes (40 questions) for ACT and is not applicable for the SAT examination. The optional essay requires 40 minutes for ACT as well.
You will have to fill out paperwork and go through instructions during your breaks along with spending a few hours at the examination centre. The time per question threshold is slightly lower for each ACT section as compared to the SAT. This is 50 and 70 seconds for the ACT and SAT, respectively.
As mentioned earlier, SAT examinations cost $101-117 along with international testing fees. It costs around INR 7,400-8,700 for Indian students. On the other hand, the ACT costs $150-166.50 which is around INR 11-12,300 for Indian students.
SAT or ACT- Which test to take?
Is SAT exam easy? Or is ACT easier than SAT?
Here are the circumstances in which the ACT may seem to be easier:
You work fast and do not run out of time while taking tests at the school level. You can also read and grasp quickly.
You have a natural flair for science along with data interpretation.
You can quickly decipher trends in graphs and charts.
You are more dependent on the calculator for Math questions.
Here are the circumstances in which the SAT may be easier:
You are a deep reader without going too fast.
You like taking your time on complex and longer passages.
You can mentally calculate numbers very well without a calculator.
You have a knack for reading between the lines and finding hidden tricks.
As mentioned, the differences between the SAT and ACT are already clear to you. If you are more attuned towards taking your time on complex passages and doing mental mathematics, then appear for the SAT. If you are a fast reader and learner, who is also dependent upon the calculator, go for the ACT. Take any one examination since both are universally accepted throughout the USA.
The SAT examination is neither easy nor hard. Students have to solve questions without calculators and that could be a hard part. However, Indian students are used to mentally calculating numbers and may benefit from the practice. The first few problems of all SAT section are usually the easiest, with difficulty levels increasing steadily. SAT is not that difficult for those with a good grasp over basic Mathematics and English taught in school.
Is ACT Easier than SAT?
The ACT has a Science portion which is not there in SAT. This makes SAT slightly less complex. At the same time, the ACT allows you to use calculators and the SAT does not. In this regard, the ACT is easier than the SAT. The optional Essay is another addition to the ACT which is no longer present for the SAT. The SAT gives more time for each question and this makes ACT slightly harder. However, questions on the SAT usually need higher logical deductions and this makes the ACT a little easier from this perspective. The ACT has more geometry, matrices, trigonometric functions and logarithms. These are less present in SAT as per experts.We can conclude, both examinations may be easy or hard, depending upon the perspective.
Which Exam is Easier- SAT or ACT?
The ACT has its own Science Section and Optional Essay. These are absent in the SAT. The ACT gives lesser time for each question while having some additional Mathematics components as well. On the other hand, the SAT does not allow candidates to use calculators (the ACT allows them) and has more logic-oriented and complex questions in general. It does give more time for every question though. From this point of view, both examinations have their easy and tough aspects.
Is SAT or ACT More Popular?
The SAT is more popular throughout the West and East coasts while the Midwest is where the ACT reigns supreme. However, recent years have seen both examinations achieving equal levels of popularity not just in the USA but also worldwide. Regional differences in popularity, if existent, are few and far in between. Both examinations are readily accepted throughout the colleges in the USA.
Is SAT or ACT Math Easier?
ACT Math is easier than SAT Math if you consider the additional mathematical functions and components included in it. However, it is easier if you consider the fact that students can use calculators. SAT Math does not have many components but questions may be tougher and logic-based, while calculators are not allowed for students. It is thus a subjective affair.
Is it better to Submit ACT or SAT?
If you have given both the SAT and ACT examinations, you should go by a simple principle. This is to submit the test where you have scored higher. It is a myth that colleges mostly prefer SAT scores than ACT results. The real picture is that all institutions require scores in any of these two examinations.
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