Should Your Student Take the SAT or the ACT?

Taking the SAT or ACT has long been an integral (and often stressful) part of college application preparation. Recently, however, many universities have decided to continue their test-optional policies that grew in popularity during the pandemic, which can leave parents and students alike wondering which test to take, and if students should take it either at all.

Understanding the differences between the SAT and ACT, along with considering individual strengths and preferences, can help families make informed decisions in this test-optional era.

Is the SAT or ACT better?

College admissions officers agree: there’s no preference of one over the other, but of course if a test score is included in an application, it should be as strong as possible. Let’s look at the key differences between each.

The SAT vs. ACT: Key Differences

Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests designed to assess college readiness, but they have distinct formats and content:

• SAT: The SAT has undergone significant changes, with a new adaptive digital format

  being rolled out this month (March 2024). With this format, how well students do a

  set of test questions determines the questions they are shown subsequently, and will

  result in the overall test time dropping considerably from three hours to just two hours

  14 minutes. The new SAT is will also now be broken down into two sections: a 64- minute reading and writing section where each comprehension section will have only

  one, rather than multiple, associates questions, and a 70-minute math section, with

  students now allowed to use graphing calculators.

  
  

  Generally, this format will result in more concise questions with more time per

  question so if your student benefits from having more time to think through each

  question, or generally needs more time on standardized tests, the SAT may be a better

  fit.

  
  

• ACT: The ACT lasts two hours and 55 minutes, though the 40-minute optional

  writing test would stretch that to a little more than three and a half hours. The ACT is

  composed of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science test. The ACT also allows the use of a calculator throughout the Math section.

  
  

  It's important to note that the Science section of the ACT is not a true test of science

  aptitude, but rather tests a student’s ability to find information and answer questions

  from a science-based text, so there’s no requirement for a science background in

  taking the ACT.

  
  

  While the average question on the ACT is easier than its counterpart on the SAT, the

  time per question on the ACT is shorter. If your student is able to work through standardized test questions quickly without losing focus, the ACT may be the better

  option.

  
  

How to Decide Which Test to Take

1. Assess Individual Strengths: Consider your child's academic strengths and weaknesses. Are they more comfortable with algebra and data analysis (ACT) or with vocabulary and critical reading (SAT)? Understanding where your child excels can guide the decision-making process.

   
   

2. Take Practice Tests: Have your child take full-length practice tests for both the SAT

   and ACT. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights into which test

   format feels more comfortable and where they perform better.

   
   

3. Consider Test Timing: The SAT and ACT differ in terms of pacing and time per question. Some students may find the shorter time per question on the ACT more manageable, while others may prefer the longer time frame per question on the SAT. Experimenting with both can help determine which aligns better with your child's test-taking speed.

   
   

4. Explore College Preferences: Research the test policies of colleges your child is

   interested in applying to. While many colleges have gone test-optional, some still

   require standardized test scores for admission or scholarship consideration. Understanding the requirements of prospective colleges can influence the decision on

   which test to prioritize.

   
   

5. Seek Guidance: Consult with your child's high school counsellor, a test preparation

   advisor, or a college admissions counselor. They can offer personalized recommendations based on your child's academic profile, goals, and preferences.

If So Many Schools are Test-Optional, Should My Child Take Either?

While it’s true that many of the schools your child chooses to apply to won’t require a standardized test score, we think it’s best to plan to take one, if not both, and include the optional writing portion of the ACT as well. If your child does well, it can help to strengthen their application. On the other hand, if it doesn’t go as well, you can always opt not to include it without penalty.