Comparing the ACT v. SAT
Traditionally the SAT has been the most popular exam by both US universities and American students looking to get into college, but the ACT has become increasingly more popular. Our table below compares the two exams and their content.
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | College Board | ACT, Inc. |
| Year Developed | 1926 | 1959 |
| Test Takers | Over 2.2 million students in the high school graduating class of 2019. | About 1.9 million students in 2019. |
| Test Availability | Offered 7 times a year in the US and 5 times a year internationally. | Offered 7 times a year in the US and Canada and 5 times a year internationally. |
| Cost | $49.50 (USD), $64.50 with essay, excluding other registration-linked fees. | $52 (USD), $68 with writing, excluding additional fees. |
| Results | Scores available electronically and can be sent to up to 4 colleges for free and additional colleges for a fee. | Scores available electronically and can be sent to up to 4 colleges for free and additional colleges for a fee. |
| Timing | 3 hours and 15 minutes without essay, 4 hours and 5 minutes with essay | 3 hours and 5 minutes without essay, 3 hours and 50 minutes with essay |
| Format | 3 sections: Reading, Writing, and Math | 4 sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science |
| Scoring Scale | 400-1600, combining results from each of the two section scores (200-800). | 1-36, all scores are integers. Composite score is the average of all four tests. |
| Scoring Rules | Each correct answer is worth 1 raw point. No points are deducted for incorrect answers. | Each question answered correctly is worth 1 raw point. No penalty for incorrect answers on the multiple-choice part. |
| Averages | 2019 Average for high school graduates: Reading/Writing is 531 and Math is 528 | Average composite score is 20.8: 20.2 for English, 20.5 for Math, 21.3 for Reading, and 20.8 for Science. |
| Optional Sections | The essay is optional, with a separate score. | The Writing is optional, with a separate score. |
| Retaking options | Students are allowed to retake the test to improve their scores. | Students are allowed to retake the test to improve their scores. Beginning in September 2020, students may re-take individual sections. |
| Calculators Allowed | Four-function, scientific and graphing calculators are permitted in the second Math section. | Yes, calculators are allowed in the Mathematics section but computer algebra systems are not allowed. |
| English | Critical Reading: 65-minute section with 52 questions (75 seconds per question) Writing and Language: 35-minute section with 44 questions (about 48 seconds per question) |
45-minute section with 75 questions |
| Mathematics | No Calculator: 25-minute section with 20 questions (75 seconds per question) Math - Calculator: 55-minute section with 38 questions (about 87 seconds per question) |
60-minute section with 60 questions This is the only section that has 5 answer choices. |
| Reading | Please see the English section above. | 35-minute section with 40 questions |
| Science Reasoning | Not available | 35-minute section with 40 questions |
| Essay | Optional. 50 minutes, one essay | Optional. 40 minutes, one essay |