| |
SAT |
ACT |
| Why Take It |
Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships |
Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships |
| Test Structure |
Math
Reading
Writing & Language
Essay (optional)
|
Math
Reading
English
Science
Essay (optional)
|
| Length |
3 hours (without essay)
3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
|
2 hours 55 minutes (without essay
3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
|
| Reading |
5 reading passages |
4 reading passages |
| Science |
None |
1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific content knowledge) |
| Math |
Covers:
Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis
|
Covers:
Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry and Trigonometry
|
Tools
|
Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator |
You can use a calculator on all math questions |
Essays
|
Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text |
Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues |
| How It's Scored |
Scored on a scale of 400-1600 (new score report March 2016) |
Scored on a scale of 1-36 |
