SAT vs ACT: Which One is the Best to Choose

Do you want to study in some of the world’s best universities? If yes, then this article might be of great help to you! Going abroad and getting a world-class education is every child’s dream. After all who wouldn’t want to be a part of a premium alumni connection, and study in classrooms with top-notch infrastructure?

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the children of today have high dreams and aspirations, and the willpower to succeed at any cost. Going abroad for further studies is one of the most popular career aspirations among young generations. With many countries opening doors for young and passionate minds, Going abroad to study is not much of a hassle now.

From Mahatma Gandhi to Nelson Mandela, every noble person has had an educational background from some of the world’s top universities. Well! This intrigues many students and motivates them to aim for the best. There are several benefits to studying abroad, from getting the best quality education to stepping into a plethora of opportunities. Studying abroad is indeed an opportunity that one can’t miss.

In this article, we will help the students understand the ultimate benefits of studying abroad. We will also assist students in making a better choice between SAT vs ACT examinations. We will also take a brief look on the understanding of the general requirements that are essential for admission to the universities in the U.S.

AllAssignmentHelp.com presents this blog to provide students with great expert advice and help them with the best decisions. So, go ahead and give this article a thorough read, to get a better understanding of the requirements and examinations related to applying to universities abroad.

Major Benefits of Going Abroad to Pursue Higher Education

Going abroad is the best option that students can pursue since the quality of education abroad is of great quality and also the universities provide students with a plethora of opportunities that might be difficult to get in the student’s native country.

There are several benefits for students if they apply to study abroad. From getting great exposure to gaining more experiences in their respective fields. A constant dilemma of choosing between SAT vs ACT bothers students.

Here are some of the benefits that might intrigue a student to go ahead and make a good choice:

Best Universities in the World: Countries like the USA, Australia, and the UK, are hub spots of some of the top-ranking universities in the world. Some of the world-famous universities such as Harvard University, Oxford Univerity, Cambridge University, and the University of Melbourne, reside in countries abroad.

Universities abroad that accept SAT scores are:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Stanford University
Harvard University
California Institute of Technology

ACT scores are accepted by:

Yale University
Cornell University
University of Pennsylvania
Northwestern University

World-Class Infrastructure: The infrastructure in these top-rated universities is world-class. With top-notch amenities and facilities, students are able to develop the perfect skill set required to be the best in the industry the students are aspiring to work in.
Learn From The Best in The Field: Faculties in these high-ranking universities are some of the award-winning experts in their fields. Learning from them will only lead to better thinking and understanding of the subject. After all, it is rightly said that to become an expert you have to learn from the experts.
Overall Growth: The students are able to grow holistically as they are their boss when it comes to their finances, household, studies, and socializing. They become independent and also grow with their experiences. Living in a new country brings with it a lot of challenges that are stairsteps to growth. Moreover, one can take help from a good online assignment service whenever needed.
Better Professional Exposure: Education from the best universities helps students with a kickstart to climb the professional ladder. Better universities provide greater exposure to the world’s best companies and hence better placements.

These are only some of the major benefits of studying abroad, however, there are several benefits to pursuing higher education abroad.

SAT vs ACT: An Overview

Most of the students who go ahead with their aspiration of studying abroad, encounter this question often about whether to take the SAT exam or the ACT exam and which is more preferable to the universities.

Today education has become extremely competitive. With so many options to choose from and having a lot of students aiming for the same goal, students often a time feel too overwhelmed when it comes to making decisions.

One such decision is to choose SAT vs ACT when it comes to applying abroad.

Well! If I have to be honest, and you would like a suggestion from me then I would suggest you or any other student attempt both the examinations. Don’t be too shocked, I have a valid explanation for it, so hear me out.

If you would give both the examinations, one result might be better than the other one, and you would also understand which exam you like better and have a hope to scale your score. So, the answer to your question would help you come to the most appropriate decision for yourself.

So, now that we have addressed the answer to your question first, let’s look a bit more briefly at both the examinations.

What is the SAT exam?

The SAT is a standardized exam for students looking to get admission majorly in universities in the United States. Although, the SAT exam holds great acceptance in other countries too but for universities in the USA it’s a basic eligibility criterion.

Launched in 1926, SAT’s name was changed quite a couple of times since its establishment. From Scholastic Aptitude Test to Scholastic Assessment Test. It is now simply called the SAT exam.

The SAT exam comprises three major sections. The sections are quantitative ability, writing section, and critical reading section. The sections are crucially divided over a span of 3-4 hours to understand a student’s aptitude well and asses and analyze it critically.

The highest score on the exam is 1600 and to get into top universities, students need to score more than 1400 in the examination.

What is the ACT exam?

The ACT (American College Testing) exam is a test that is used to assess a student’s readiness to attend a premier college. The assessment is a standardized examination which is conducted for high school students so that they could attain success and get great college admissions in the United States.

The ACT exam is a popular examination and has different levels compared to the SAT exam. Unlike SAT, it has more sections. The sections in the ACT exam are English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, and reading. The timings of the exam range from 3-4 hours depending on whether you would like to take the optional section as well. Moreover, the exam is scored on a scale of 1-36.

The examination is one of the eligibilities in the United States and many universities accept the score.

Though it is confusing and exhausting to choose the perfect one, you can still select the right one for yourself by understanding in detail the nitty-gritty of every examination.

A Brief Comparison: SAT vs ACT

Although both the examinations are similar when it comes to their purpose and context, they have a stark difference in their conduct, grading and marking.

So, here, let’s look at the differences between both of the exams, and identify their pros and cons.

Category	SAT	ACT
Cost of the Exam	$52	$55 (additional $70 for the optional test)
Duration of the Exam	3-4 hours	2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with optional test)
Number of Questions	154	215
Scoring Pattern	400-1600	1-36
Top Scores	1400-1600 considered excellent	32-36 considered great
Sections	Reading, Writing, Math, Essay (Optional)	English, Reading, Math, Science, Essay (Optional)
Calculator Usage	Allowed for some math questions	Allowed for all math questions
Mathematics Syllabus	Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Arithmetic, Probability, Data Analysis	Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Arithmetic, Probability
Science Syllabus	None	Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning
English Syllabus	Grammar, Punctuation, Vocabulary, Editing skills	Rhetorical skills, Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Structure
Optional Essay	Optional (eliminated in June 2021)	Optional (includes a prompt for students to share their viewpoints with solid reasoning)

Cost Of The Exam

There is a quality difference between the cost of both examinations. The cost to register for SAT is $52, however, the cost to register for the ACT exam is $55, along with an additional $70 if the students wish to give the optional test as well.

However, the students can apply for a waiver for both the SAT and ACT depending on their financial backgrounds.

Duration Of The Exam

Both the exams range from 3-4 hours, however, ACT without the optional test is a duration of 2 hours and 55 minutes, however, the additional test adds another 40 minutes to it, making it fall in the same range of duration as the SATs.

The SAT has around 154 questions and the ACT comprises around 215 questions. Both the exams are timed accordingly.

Scoring Pattern Of SAT vs ACT

Both of the exams have a completely different scoring pattern. SATs are scored from maximum marks of 1600, and ACTs are scored from maximum marks of 36.

However, there is a way to convert both of these scores into each other’s format.

A score between 1400-1600 on SATs is considered an excellent score, And a score from 32-26 is considered a great score on the ACTs.

Questions Aggregate Under SAT vs ACT

Compared to the SAT, which includes 154 questions, the ACT has 215 assessment questions.
The timing for each assessment depends on this distinction.

SAT vs ACT Outcome

The SAT gives you a score between 400 and 1600.
While the ACT gives you a score between 1 and 36.
University admissions employ a straightforward conversion chart to compare test scores with those of other applicants.
Even though these scoring values differ.

Test Segment under SAT vs ACT

Both exams include sections on math, reading, and writing.
But only the ACT includes a scientific component.
The SAT includes a basic formula page and an additional non-calculator math component.
The extended writing section on both tests was optional.
However, it was eliminated in June 2021.
An optional writing portion with a prompt is now available on the ACT.
Students are free to share their viewpoints on a subject in this part as long as they can support them with solid reasoning.

SAT vs ACT Calculator Usage

In SAT you can use a calculator but only for a few maths questions.
Candidates can use calculators for all the math questions in the ACT.

SAT vs ACT in Syllabus

Full Syllabus

SAT syllabus includes the following:

Reading
Writing and Language
Mathematics
Essay (Optional)

ACT syllabus includes the following:

English
Reading
Mathematics
Science
Essay (Optional)

Mathematics Syllabus

SAT Mathematics syllabus includes:

Algebra I and II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Arithmetic
Probability
Data Analysis

ACT Mathematics syllabus includes:

Algebra I and II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Arithmetic
Probability

Science Syllabus

SAT includes:

There is no science syllabus for this test.

ACT includes:

On the ACT, there is no specific science subject tested in the Science section.
Your critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning is tested.

English Syllabus

SAT English syllabus includes:

Grammar
Punctuation
Vocabulary
Editing skills

ACT English syllabus includes:

Rhetorical skills
Grammar
Punctuation
Sentence Structure

These are the topic that are covered in this exam. Is it too much? Are you already scared? No worries, you can always take some good assignment help online . They will take away your load and you can be free from all the stress.

Also Read: Some Awesome Strategies for Studying More Effectively

Conversion Between SAT And ACT Scores

Students who wish to compare their SAT and ACT scores can do so by using the conversion charts that the College Board and the ACT organization have made available. A summary of this information is provided in the table below.

The ACT’s composite score ranges from 1 to 36, whereas the SAT’s total scores span 400 to 1600. Note that the optional ACT writing test is assessed differently and is not included in those ranges.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
1600-1570	36
1560-1530	35
1520-1490	34
1480-1450	33
1440-1420	32
1410-1390	31
1380-1360	30
1350-1330	29
1320-1300	28
1290-1260	27
1250-1230	26
1220-1200	25

How to Settle Down Between SAT vs ACT

Both the ACT and the SAT are generally accepted by Unites States Universities, so students frequently wonder which test they should take. Below I have discussed some points to make this process a bit easy.

Firstly, there is no easier assessment choice for students to choose from.
According to Mai Jumamil, former director of college prep programmes at Kaplan, a New York-based education organisation,

“These are high-stakes assessments; neither of them will be simple.”

Experts advise students to start with a practice exam to determine which exam is ideal for them before making a decision.
According to Chris Lele, senior GRE/SAT curriculum manager for Magoosh, a California-based test preparation company,

“Your actual ability, how well you do percentile-wise on these tests, is really hard to determine unless you sit down and take a full-length official practice test from both the SAT and ACT.”

In general, I believe it makes sense to devote all of your time and energy to the exam on which you will perform higher percentile-wise.
I believe the difficulty arises when you perform similarly.”
The two exams may appeal differently to various types of students.
Students with a strong English background may flourish on the ACT.
This places more emphasis on verbal abilities.
While those with a strong math background may reflect that much better on the SAT.
Students must take both college admissions exams, according to an independent educational adviser
In the ideal scenario, they take both exams by the fall of their junior year.
And then thoroughly study for a retake of their favourite test.

Also Read: Academic Writing Tips: How To Be Better?

SAT vs ACT: Which one is Trouble-Free

This is a natural question to ask. To increase your chances of getting a good score, you should take the simpler test. Some claim that the ACT is simpler because the total score is lower. Some might think vice-versa. Universities compare students using both examinations as academic indicators. They present a comparable level of challenge and are equivalent in difficulty. Most colleges would vouch for this by asserting that both tests are equally difficult.

Now the question arises, Should I take SAT or ACT? The answer to this question is plated below in bullets.

Which test should you take if both are equally difficult?
Consider where your inherent talents lie first.
Students who excel in writing, reading, and oral communication typically prefer ACT.
People who are better at arithmetic prefer SAT.
A math formula guide is provided to help with the problems on the SAT math test.
This is divided into a calculator- and non-calculator-friendly section.
About half of your total SAT score comes from these parts.
Only a calculator part, which makes up roughly 25% of the overall score on the ACT, is available.
It could be wiser to take the ACT if math is not your strongest subject.
Try taking an SAT or ACT practice exam if you’re still not sure which test you should take.
Compare your results, how you responded to the questions, and which one you thought was simpler.
It is perfectly acceptable to take both exams.
This requires you to prepare for both tests.
But it also allows you to submit your best score.
Although you can retake the tests, colleges advise against doing so more than three times.

What To Pick?

The easiest method to determine which is right is to look at each of them. If you’re still having trouble making a decision, you should follow the career guidance of professionals. Numerous websites that cater to students offer their services. To help you find the ideal website, you should consult your friends, coworkers, and teachers. When you contact the top website, their knowledgeable staff will respond to your questions and give you precise solutions. So go ahead and select your perfect profession.

Key Considerations for Selecting the ACT or SAT

The examinations that are best for your undergraduate admissions will depend on the applicant. It is dependent upon your areas of strength and weakness, interests, and other elements.

Below are some key factors to take into account when deciding between the SAT and ACT.

Feature	SAT	ACT
Time per Question	Offers more time per question in all sections	Lesser time per question
Mathematics	The mathematics section may be more time-pressured	Included matrix, logs, and trigonometry
Science	It does not have a separate science section, which integrates scientific concepts into the Reading, Writing, and Math sections	Has a dedicated Science section
Math Content	More weightage for algebra and data analysis	Included matrix, logs, and trigonometry
Reading	Reading questions are generally considered easier to follow and answer	Considered more challenging reading questions
Essay	No essay section	Optional essay section

Things To Remember Before Your Big Day

Examination days are the most stressful ones. Despite being confident, anxiety has to kick in, in some way or the other on big days like these.

When going for the SAT or ACT exams, it is okay to be feeling anxious or stressed, but one thing that every student should remember is that one scores the best when one is calm.

Being calm helps to think better and make better choices. It lets students think rationally and strategize quickly for an answer.

So, to help you on your big day, here are some tips that students can use to give their best in these exams.

Tips to Remember

Carry all the important Documents: Students need to carry the original copy of their important documents. These documents would be the admit card, and the official identification card approved by the exam takers. For more information on this students can check the guidelines sent by the exam centres the day before the examination.
Have A Light Meal Before The Exam: Students should have a light meal to keep them energized. Having a big mean or no meal can cause tardiness in students, thus a light meal would be the most appropriate for the students.
Carry Your Water and Stationary: Before the exam, the students should check the list of stationery required, and should also keep a water bottle with them during the examination.
Revise Before The Exam: Don’t read anything new a day before the exam. It’s better to keep it calm and just revise the topics before the exam. This would help in keeping the anxiety at bay.
Reach Before The Time: At times, students find uncertain traffic or any other obstacle which leads to delay in reaching the exam centre. Hence, the students must leave their houses early so that they reach before time, and dont get stressed out.
Read The Instructions Carefully: Often students ignore the instructions sent by the exam centre, which sometimes can create a problem for students. It is advised for all the students to read the instructions carefully before leaving for the exam. It would prevent any mishappenings and will also ensure that the students perform well in the exam.

Here are the tentative dates for the test:

Test dates for ACT 2024	Application Deadline
23-24 February 2024	26 January 2024
12-13 April 2024	15 March 2024
7-8 June 2024	10 May 2024
12-13 July 2024	14 June 2024

Conclusion

Well! As discussed above one might face confusion. Both have their importance. On the contrary, both of them have their subjects. And, this is what makes the choice easy for you. You just have to see which subject is the one where yo can score high and, viola! that’s your choice. There are several other aspects which I have discussed before you in this blog. Considering them you can make a wise choice for yourself.

A career is something that holds great importance in every student’s life. So making the best decision should be your priority. However, if taken our suggestion, we would advise students to attempt both examinations and choose the score of the better-performed one to submit to the esteemed colleges. Moreover, by attempting both examinations, students can also get a clear review of the tests and make the choice accordingly if they wish to scale their scores. If you are confused, then no worries! Take experts’ opinions on this and they will surely help you. You can also ask for coursework help from these specialists. I wish you all the very best in your most crucial step of life. if you have any further questions or confusion you can always ask them out.

What are you still waiting for? Go ahead and start your struggle!

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques- Do I have to Give TOEFL or IELTS even after giving SAT or ACT?
Ans- Yes, TOEFL and IELTS are English proficiency tests which are extremely important when a student applies to a university in an English-speaking country. The scores on SAT or ACT wouldn’t be counted as a validation of the English speaking ability of the student. Moreover, the score acquired in Toefl or Ielts is also used while applying for a visa in an English-speaking country.

Ques- Are SAT and ACT acceptable in universities other than the U.S.A?
Ans- Yes, the scores of SAT and ACT are acceptable worldwide. However, there are some university-specific restrictions when it comes to these scores. Other than that most universities use these scores to analyze the student’s profile. Having said that these scores are not a requirement in countries other than the USA, but could be used to glorify the profile.