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Which one should I take?
Students can take the ACT, SAT, or both. Admissions officers do not have a preference for one or the other. Both tests are accepted at all US four-year institutions.
To determine which test you are better suited for, take a free full-length evaluation test at Potomac Oak Tutoring. Following that evaluation, we'll be able to give you a detailed overview of the areas where you can improve, and which test plays to your strengths.
Whichever test you end up choosing, our professional and experienced instructors will create an individualized tutoring plan to help you to maximize your scores.
At-a-glance facts
Structure
Scoring
Difficulty
& timing
Verbal
content
Quantitative
content
Crossover
content
Four sections
-
Reading, 65 min.
-
Writing & Language, 35 min.
-
Math: no calculator, 25 min.
-
Math: calculator, 55 min.
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Essay (optional), +50 min.
Difficulty
-
passages and questions are "trickier"
Timing & strategy
-
more time per question
Topics covered
-
Algebra I and II
-
Geometry
-
Trigonometry (precalculus)
-
Statistics
Topic breakdown
-
less Algebra
-
heavy emphasis on Geometry
-
many data interpretation (Statistics) questions
Question style
-
straighforward Algebra questions similar to a high school math test
-
many word problems requiring critical thinking
-
most difficult problems require many steps to solve
ACT
New SAT
Four sections
-
English, 45 min.
-
Math, 60 min.
-
Reading, 35 min.
-
Science, 35 min.
-
Essay (optional), +40 min.
Sections
-
Each section receives a score on a scale from 1 to 36
-
Essay receives a score on a scale from 1 to 12
Composite
-
The four sections are averaged for a scaled composite score out of 36
-
Essay not included in composite score
Sections
-
Sections 1 and 2 comprise the verbal score of 200-800
-
Sections 3 and 4 comprise the math score of 200-800
-
Essay receives score of 1-12
Composite
-
Verbal and math scores are added for a scaled composite score out of 1600
-
Essay not included in composite score
Grammar & style
-
identifying grammar errors embedded in prose
-
identifying unclear, wordy, redundant, and awkward expressions
Vocabulary
-
in-context only
-
no archaic/obscure words
Reading comprehension
-
prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science
-
passage comparison
Writing
-
argumentative
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students are asked to build an argument for one of three given perspectives on an issue
-
optional (but many colleges require it)
Grammar & style
-
identifying grammar errors embedded in prose
-
identifying unclear, wordy, redundant, and awkward expressions
Vocabulary
-
in-context only
-
no more "SAT words"
Reading comprehension
-
prose fiction, "Great Global Conversation," and natural science
-
passage comparison
Writing
-
analytical
-
students are given an argumentative essay or speech and asked to analyze how an author or speaker builds an effective argument
-
optional (but many colleges require it)
Difficulty
-
questions are more "straightforward"
Timing & strategy
-
less time per question
Dedicated "Science" section
-
tests students on comprehension and data analysis
-
requires very little science knowledge
No dedicated section
-
data analysis questions are found in all sections
-
students must identify correct interpretation of reading passages as data
Topics covered
-
Algebra I and II
-
Geometry
-
Trigonometry (precalculus)
Topic breakdown
-
even distribution of Algebra and Geometry questions
-
only basic Statistics questions
Question style
-
straighforward Algebra questions similar to a high school math test
-
many word problems requiring critical thinking
-
most difficult problems require a strong understanding of advanced math topics
The first step in standardized test prep is to find out which test is right for you.
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