Many colleges require scores from the SAT or ACT tests as part of the undergraduate admissions process. Your SAT score is an important component of your college application.
What is the SAT?
The SAT is a multiple-choice entrance, pencil-and-paper test, administered by the College Board. The SAT provides admissions officers with a common data point that can be used to evaluate all applicants.
SAT Duration
3 hours (plus 50 min with Optional Essay)
ACT Sections
English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional)
Highest Score
1600
Lowest Score
1060
Requirement
Majority of colleges but not all
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a multiple-choice entrance, pencil-and-paper test, administered by ACT Inc. It is used/accepted by the majority of undergraduate colleges in the US. Like the SAT, the ACT provides admissions officers with a data point that can be used to evaluate all applicants.
ACT Duration
2 hours 55 min (plus 40 min with Optional Writing)
ACT Sections
English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional)
Highest Score
36
Lowest Score
1
Requirement
Majority of colleges but not all
Should I take the SAT or ACT?
The majority of colleges in the U.S. accept either the SAT or the ACT, with no bias or preference for one or the other. It is possible to prepare for both tests and submit your best score! However, there are a few key differences in terms of content. For starters, the ACT includes a Science section and you are allowed to use a calculator in the Math sections (unlike the SAT)! Here’s a big picture comparison.
SAT
Reading Writing & Language Math Essay (Optional)
ACT
English Math Reading Science Reasoning Essay (Optional)
SAT
3 hours (without essay) 3 hours 50 min (with essay)
ACT
2 hours 55 min (without essay) 3 hours 40 min (with essay)
SAT
Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry, Trigonometry Statistics
ACT
Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry & Trigonometry
SAT
5 reading passages
ACT
4 reading passages
SAT
None
ACT
1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not knowledge)
SAT
Optional – designed to test your comprehension of a text
ACT
Optional – designed to test how you evaluate complex issues
SAT
Only on some sections
ACT
Yes
SAT
Majority of colleges but not all
ACT
Majority of colleges but not all
SAT
400 – 1600
ACT
1 – 36
SAT
1060
ACT
21
SAT
1170 – 1230
ACT
24
What score do I need for the Ivy League?
Do I need to sit the SAT/ACT?
It depends on where you’d like to study. Admissions officers recognise that the SAT/ACT don’t truly reflect the whole of a student’s accomplishments, especially those coming from a different academic system.
Over 900 colleges, including many prestigious ones, don’t require students to submit standardised test scores (sometimes referred to as “test flexible”). Educom consultants will help you navigate the entire application process.
Here’s just a few of them:
