School Counseling - Testing
ACT vs. SAT
ACT vs. SAT
Today, students have the opportunity to take two types of college admissions tests - the ACT or the SAT. Most colleges accept both tests for admissions, but you should check with the college admissions office to be sure which test they prefer.
What are the differences between the two tests?
THE ACT
The ACT test is made up of four individual tests, each of which is designed to measure academic achievement in a major area: English, mathematics, reading, and natural sciences. The test is about three hours long and consists of a total 215 scored questions. The ACT website includes information on the test as well as practice questions and tests.
The test is comprised of four subject tests:
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Time Limit
|
|
English
|
75
|
45 minutes
|
|
Math
|
60
|
60 minutes
|
|
Reading
|
40
|
35 minutes
|
|
Science Reasoning
|
40
|
35 minutes
|
THE SAT
The SAT is three hours to complete without the essay and three hours and fifty minutes to complete with the essay. The below chart displays the sections you will see on test day (but not necessarily in the following order). For more information, please visit the SAT section the College board website.
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Time Limit
|
| |
|
|
|
Writing & Language
|
44 questions
|
35 minutes
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Critical Reading
|
52 questions
|
1 hour and 5 minutes |
| |
|
|
|
Math
|
58 questions |
1 hour and 20 minutes
|
| |
|
|
Article from Magoosh on Chossing the Right Test for You