How to Choose Between the SAT and ACT

One of the most common questions families ask me is which test their student should take.

The good news is that colleges accept both exams equally. There is no admissions advantage to taking one over the other, and students should not choose a test based on what they think colleges prefer; rather, students should take whichever test they will consistently score higher on.

Your student needs to figure out which exam is the better fit for him or her -- and focus on that one.

After several redesigns, the answer is more nuanced than it used to be. The SAT has undergone significant changes in recent years, and many of the old rules of thumb no longer apply.

The First Question Isn't SAT or ACT

Before choosing a test, it's worth asking whether testing should be a priority at all. In general, I steer students toward taking the tests.

Logically, even if you're looking into test-optional schools, if it's between you and a student with the exact same everything BUT they took the test? Guess who is getting a bump. Moreover, we've been hearing a LOT of chatter about how students are underperforming in college despite having decent grades; the ACT/SAT used to provide evidence of standards and now admissions officers don't have that intel. The UC schools in particular are really struggling with kids who are behind. UC Professors are even requesting the tests are reinstated; I think it's really a matter of when, not if, we see them back (or something akin to them) across the board.

No matter what, students should consider:

• Which colleges they're interested in applying to

• Whether those colleges require test scores or consider them

• Whether they are likely to be competitive applicants with or without testing

• How much time they realistically have to prepare

Once testing makes sense as part of the plan, it's time to decide which exam to focus on.

Understanding the Difference

The SAT is now a fully digital exam. It tends to place a greater emphasis on reasoning, pattern recognition, and efficient problem-solving. Reading passages are shorter than they were in previous versions of the test. The problem with the move to digital, in my experience, is that kids cannot scribble all over the exam and it makes the work more difficult. Additionally, the SAT has write in sections on the math; the ACT is pure multiple choice, which makes guessing on harder questions a more viable option. I have also found the SAT's math sections to be a bit "trickier". Not in that they're harder, necessarily, because math is math, but the way they ask the questions seems designed to trip the kids up vs. just test their understanding of a concept.

The ACT remains a paper-and-digital option depending on testing location and administration. It generally moves at a faster pace and requires students to process information quickly.

The ACT also includes a "science" section, though students are often surprised to learn that this section measures data interpretation and reasoning skills more than scientific knowledge. It's basically just reading, part 2: with graphs! The Science section does not test biology, chemistry, or physics content in the way a school exam would. Instead, students analyze graphs, charts, tables, and experimental data.

The SAT also has the exact same kinds of science questions -- they just plop them in their reading sections, so fear not that science section!

While the content overlaps substantially, the experience of taking each test can feel very different.

Back against the wall, I find that most students do better on the ACT than the SAT.

Which Students Often Prefer the SAT?

Students frequently perform well on the SAT if they:

• Like solving puzzles and patterns

• Prefer having a little more time per question

• Excel at algebra and quantitative reasoning

• Read carefully and thoughtfully rather than rapidly

• Feel comfortable working in a digital environment

Many strong students appreciate the SAT's emphasis on strategic thinking rather than speed.

Which Students Often Prefer the ACT?

Students frequently perform well on the ACT if they:

• Process information quickly

• Work efficiently under time pressure

• Read rapidly without sacrificing comprehension

• Feel comfortable switching between subjects

• Prefer straightforward questions over more abstract reasoning tasks

The ACT can reward students who are decisive and able to maintain focus through a fast-paced testing experience.

The Best Way to Decide

The most reliable way to choose between the SAT and ACT is surprisingly simple: take a diagnostic test of each.

Students often have strong assumptions about which exam will suit them better. Sometimes those assumptions are correct. Sometimes the results tell a completely different story.

A diagnostic provides objective information about:

• Relative strengths and weaknesses

• Timing challenges

• Comfort with the testing format

• Which exam offers the highest scoring potential

Rather than guessing, families can make decisions based on real performance data.

Don't Overthink It

Families sometimes spend weeks trying to determine the "perfect" test before their student has completed a single practice exam.

In reality, both exams are respected by colleges. The difference between them is often smaller than people expect. The goal is not to find the objectively better test. The goal is to find the test on which your student is most likely to succeed.

For most students, a diagnostic SAT and ACT provide more useful information than hours of online research. If you're unsure where to start, consider having your student take a practice version of each exam and compare the results. You can, of course, also reach out to us and ask us to guide the process!