The SAT vs. The ACT: Which should you take?
and What do the scores mean?
 

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? They’re both standardized tests and they both factor into the college admissions process. See more in the chart below.
 

SAT
ACT
When is it administered? 7 times per year 6 times per year
What is the test structure? 10-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. 4-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental.
What is the test content? Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none.
Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension.
Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice. 		Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science.
English: stresses grammar.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers? Yes - Answer ONLY what you know No - Answer EVERY question
How is the test scored? 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score. 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools? Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken. No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.
Are there other uses for the exams? Scholarship purposes. Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs.
Best time to register? At least 6 weeks before the test date At least 4 weeks before the test date
Fee waivers Can register with up to only 2 waivers ever during junior/senior year of high school regardless of whether you take the test or not once registered with that waiver.
-Paper/mail-in or online registration accepted with a waiver.		 Can register with up to only 2 waivers ever during your junior/senior year of high school regardless of whether you take the test or not once registered with that waiver.
- Paper/mail-in or online registration accepted with a waiver.
Need more information? Educational Testing Service (ETS)
(609) 771-7600
www.ets.org
The College Board
www.collegeboard.com
1-888-SAT-HELP		 ACT, Inc.:
(319) 337-1000
www.ACT.org

 

SAT Score
 (Critical Reading + Math)

ACT Equivalent
 (Composite)

1600

36

1560-1590

35

1510-1550

34

1460-1500

33

1410-1450

32

1360-1400

31

1320-1350

30

1280-1310

29

1240-1270

28

1210-1230

27

1170-1200

26

1130-1160

25

1090-1120

24

1060-1080

23

1020-1050

22

980-1010

21

940-970

20

900-930

19

860-890

18

810-850

17

760-800

16

710-750

15

660-700

14

590-650

13

520-580

12

500-510

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