We’re constantly trying to impress upon our clients that colleges Do NOT prefer the SAT over the ACT (or vice versa). You really can choose the test that’s best for you.

Here’s a quick comparison of the ACT and SAT:

• The ACT includes 4 longer sections + essay, but working quickly matters on this test.
• The SAT includes 10 shorter sections + essay, but you may feel like you have a little more time to work on each section.
• Students say the ACT feels more familiar, like a test they would see in school, so it’s often the option for students who go to private schools who have standardized test fears.
• The SAT may feel trickier, particularly the math, but its methods are more limited and crack-able. (e.g. it’s easier to get a feel for its questions and know where its going…)
• If you’re eligible for extra time at school that doesn’t guarantee you’ll be offered extra time on either test. You may want to apply first and see if you receive extra time and from whom.

That being said, you’ll want to choose which test you take based on a couple of factors:

• Your score on a practice test (or the PSAT/PLAN) Your practice test scores are the best indicators of your ultimate score outcome on the test. The best way to decide which test to take is to sit down and take a full-length version of each and see how you do. Warning: take a real SAT and a real ACT created by the real test makers (not something from Princeton Review, Kaplan, Arco, etc). You can take any full test available in the College Board book or get the full length, free downloadable test from the College Board here. The ACT is a little trickier. The ACT site has a free downloadable test, too, that you can get from your guidance counselor  (or that you can grab from me here) but the test has been evolving a little. Many students report that they feel like the science section is more difficult than the sample material you’ll see on that downloadable test. Keep that in mind if you’re already having trouble with science (understanding it or completing it). You can use this score comparison sheet to compare the scores you earn on each practice test.

• Your comfortable level each test If you enjoy one of these tests more than the other (yes, that’s possible) you should probably take the one you enjoy, provided you consider the nest few points…

• What are you still struggling with on each test? Are the mistakes you’re making more quantifiable (you stink at geometry or your vocabulary could use some bolstering) or are they more tactical (like the ACT science section is killing you or you don’t understand why the answers you’re choosing on reading are incorrect)? Both are correctable, but how much help you need and how much time it will take can vary.

• How much time do you have to prep? If vocabulary is a problem and you have 12 months to study then it’s not an issue. If vocabulary is a problem and you have a month until the last possible test date, you may want to take the ACT. The SAT has a larger proportion of some types of math problems than others, so if all you need is a Geometry crash course, you’ll empower yourself to a much higher score just by spending a few weeks learning that subject.

• What schools are you applying to? Find out if they require SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT and or the ACT. Some schools require just the ACT, just require the ACT and SAT Subject Tests, some the SAT and Subject Tests–you just have to find out. Some students, depending on time or budgeting, would rather take just the ACT and avoid Subject Tests–even if they like the ACT less–and that’s still an option at some schools.

We’re here to help. If you need more advice or tutoring, contact us!