Pros and Cons of ACT vs. SAT

August 3, 2022 byAlyssa Austin

3 min to read

Online High School Student preparing for the ACTs and SATs

There are many pros and cons of standardized testing, with each of the two primary college entrance tests – the ACT and the SAT – offering their own advantages to students. But which test is the best fit for your child? Use our SAT vs ACT test comparison guide below to help you and your family decide which test will help them on their path to applying for their school of choice.

Why Is the SAT Important?

The SAT is “a college entrance exam that measures a student’s skills and determines how prepared they are for college, based on what they’ve learned in high school,” according to the college prep resource, College Handbook.

Compared to the ACT, the SAT is the more popular college entrance exam, with 55% of students taking the SAT as of 2019. Regardless of student preference, the test you choose to take is not a factor for what colleges prefer; all universities in the United States accept both exams, and most do not prefer one over the other.

SAT Pros and Cons

There are both pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to take the SAT:

Pros of the SAT

Accepted by all United States colleges and universities. (May be required by some colleges.)
May be used to determine eligibility for specific scholarships.
Historically more popular – may improve your chances for admission.
May favor students with stronger math skills.
A learnable test – you can study for it and improve results.

Cons of the SAT

The SAT alone is not a singular predictor of college-readiness or success.
Too much importance can easily be placed on SAT test scores.
Section scores are calculated differently. (The math score ends up being 50% of total score for the SAT.) (The math score ends up being 50% of total score for the SAT.)
May not be the best test choice for strong writers.

An online student studying for college entrance exams.

Why Is the ACT Important?

Like the SAT, the ACT is a college entrance exam designed to “measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants,” according to The Princeton Review. It is a multiple choice, pencil-and-paper test, taken over the course of three hours (or more if the optional writing test is added on).

ACT Pros and Cons

There are both pros and cons to choosing the ACT as your standardized test for college admissions.

Pros of the ACT

Accepted by all United States colleges and universities.
ACT questions considered to be more concise and clear than SAT test questions.
Each section of ACT test is weighted equally.
Scored based on correct answers only (no penalty for guessing).
You can choose which scores to send to colleges.
May favor students with stronger writing skills. (Optional essay portion can be an advantage for strong writers.)

Cons of the ACT

Not a singular predictor of college-readiness or success.
May not be the best test choice for students with stronger math skills.
Has more questions to answer in less time than the SAT.
Includes a designated science test section, which can require more studying and preparation.

SAT vs ACT Comparison Chart

Check out this helpful comparison chart to understand ACT and SAT differences, including ACT vs SAT scores, test format, and more.

TEST	ACT	SAT
Number of Questions	215	154
Reading Test	35 minutes	65 minutes
Writing & Language Test	45 minutes	35 minutes
Math Test	60 minutes	80 minutes
Science Test	35 minutes	N/A
May Favor Students	With strong verbal skills	With strong math skills
Score Range	1–36	400–1600
Cost	$55; $70 if the optional writing test is included	$52

In Summary: Pros and Cons of ACT vs. SAT

While there are both pros and cons of ACT vs. SAT tests, the key factor for deciding which one is the better choice for your student is knowing what their strengths and goals are. Having a strong understanding of which test will better showcase their aptitudes, as well as college admission standards in general, will help determine if your student should choose the SAT vs ACT for their college entrance exam.

Want more college prep help? Learn how you can help your student prepare for college throughout every year of high school with this guide!