Difference
between ACT and SAT Exams
The ACT is an achievement test measuring
what a student has learned in school.
The SAT is an aptitude test measuring
testing reasoning and verbal abilities.
The ACT has 5 components: English,
Mathematics, Reading, Sciences and an optional writing test. You take the
writing test-only if required by the college(s) you’re applying to.
The SAT has 3 components: Critical
Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required writing test.
The ACT is scored based on the number of
correct answers with no penalty for guessing.
The SAT has a correction for guessing. They
take off for wrong answers.
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SAT Length 3 hours 45 minutes
ACT Length 3 hours 25 minutes (includes optional
30‐minute Writing Test)
SAT 10
Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing (include Essay), 1 Experimental
(not scored)
ACT 4 Sections (plus optional Writing
Test): English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
SAT Math
- Arithmetic , Geometry, Algebra, and Algebra II
ACT Math - Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry,
and Trigonometry
SAT Essay Required
ACT Essay Optional (final section)
SAT Score - Composition 1/3 Math, 1/3
Reading, 1/3 Writing
ACT Score - ¼ English, ¼ Math, ¼ Reading, ¼
Science
SAT Scoring Aggregate score 600‐2400 based
on total of 3 scores 200‐800 (Reading, Math, Writing) Score of 0‐12 for Essay
ACT Scoring Composite score 1‐36 based on
average of 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) Score 0‐12 for Optional
Essay
Additional Information www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org