The ACT vs. the SAT: What You Need to Know
As students move closer to college applications, one big question often comes up: should my student take the ACT or the SAT? Both exams are widely accepted by colleges across the country, and neither test is considered “better” overall. That said, understanding how the ACT and SAT differ can help students choose the test that best fits them.
The SAT focuses heavily on reasoning, problem-solving, and working carefully through questions. It includes sections on Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, with an optional essay that very few colleges now require. The math section places a strong emphasis on algebra, data analysis, and word problems that require careful reading. The reading passages often involve complex vocabulary and ask students to analyze tone, evidence, and meaning. The SAT gives students a bit more time per question than the ACT (about 15-25 seconds more time per question), which can be helpful for students who like to think slowly and double-check their work.
The ACT, on the other hand, is faster-paced and more content-based. It includes four required sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional writing section. The ACT English section focuses strongly on grammar rules and editing skills, while the math section covers a wider range of topics, including geometry and trigonometry. One major difference is the Science section, which tests students on how well they can interpret charts, graphs, and experiments rather than how much science content they have memorized. Because the ACT moves quickly, students must work efficiently and make decisions fast.
Students who tend to do well on the SAT are often strong readers, careful thinkers, and comfortable with multi-step problems. If a student prefers fewer questions with more time to think, enjoys analyzing passages, and feels confident with algebra and word problems, the SAT may be a better fit. The SAT can also feel more manageable for students who struggle with time pressure.
The ACT is often a better choice for students who work quickly, feel confident with grammar rules, and are comfortable switching between topics at a fast pace. Students who enjoy straightforward questions, do well interpreting graphs and data, and have strong math skills across many topics may find the ACT plays to their strengths. Students who are less intimidated by time limits often prefer the ACT’s style.
Many students don’t know which test suits them best until they try both. Taking a practice SAT and ACT is often the smartest way to decide, since real performance matters more than general preferences. Colleges accept scores from either exam equally, so the goal is simply to choose the test that allows a student to show their best abilities. Additionally, many of the public high schools in Chicago now only administer the ACT, which results in many students taking it each year. If your child is planning to take the ACT or SAT, Test Prep Chicago can help them prepare through one-day ACT prep workshops (click here), ACT prep courses (click here), SAT prep courses (click here), or individual tutoring for either (or both) exams (click here). TPC can offer your student in-depth tutoring and prep material for each section on each exam, practice tests, test-taking strategies, and homework that helps to reinforce said strategies and material, ensuring that your student succeeds no matter what college entrance exam they plan on taking.