High school students are often perplexed with the question: Which is better, SAT or ACT? Both the SAT and ACT serve as measures for colleges and universities to assess aspiring students, despite the resemblances, a few critical variations exist between them.
The SAT test format vastly differs from the ACT test format. The SAT is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math. In contrast, the ACT is comprised of four sections: English, ACT test dates Math, Reading, and Science.
Deciding which test is easier between SAT or ACT depends entirely on a student's strengths and weaknesses. If reading and writing are a student's strong points, then the SAT might be a better fit. Alternatively, science-oriented students might have an edge with the ACT.
Each test also uses a different scoring scale. For the SAT, scores can range from 400 to 1600, on the other hand, the ACT scores from 1 to 36.
SAT and ACT test subjects also noticeably diverge. Reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis are the focus of the SAT math section, whereas the ACT math section spans a wide range of topics from pre-algebra to trigonometry.
Deciding which test to take - SAT or ACT - is ultimately a matter of personal choice. Most colleges and universities accept either SAT or ACT scores, so pick the exam that best represents your abilities. In the end, what matters most is not which test students take, but how well they do on it.