For entrance into a four-year college or university, students must take either the SAT I or ACT during the spring of the junior year or fall of the senior year. Colleges may take either score so students are encouraged to take both the SAT I and ACT. Early registration is critical!
SAT or ACT? What's the Difference?
Admissions officers and educators often describe the difference between SAT and ACT in these terms: the ACT is a content-based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving. Here are some factors that differentiate the SAT and ACT:
- The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
- The ACT math section includes trigonometry.
- The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
- The SAT is not entirely multiple choice.
- The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
- The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not.
Remember, both the SAT and ACT are important parts of your application, but they're only one of several factors--from your courses and grades to recommendations and your personal statement--that colleges consider.
Check with your college of choice to determine which test they require for admission. For more information on the SAT see the College Board website. For more information, visit the ACT website.