5 Steps to Choose Best ACT vs SAT

5 Steps to Choose Best ACT vs SAT Every student who is applying for college must take placement tests. The two most common of these tests are the ACT and SAT. Both of these tests are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges assess students. As you start to think about the college and creating the best application portfolio possible, an important question to answer is: Which test should I take? These steps guide you to make the right choice. #1 Does Your College Prefer SAT or ACT? The first step to conduct research on is which test is right for you. Should your college of choice prefer one test over the other, then it is vital to focus your efforts on this very exam. If youre set on a certain college, make sure to find out which test would help you more. Taking both exams is rarely the best option. SAT and ACT differ enough that your time spent studying for one of them will not likely improve your results on the other. #2 Test Duration The ACT has 215 questions and an optional essay. On the other hand, the SAT has 170 questions plus a required essay. The testing time for the ACT with writing the essay is 3 hours and 25 minutes while the SAT takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. This is because the total time of the SAT is longer for both parts due to breaks. Thus, the ACT gives you more time per question that can help you to produce better results. #3 Assessment of Your Critical Thinking Skills and Overall Knowledge Another difference between the two exams is that the SAT principally estimates reasoning ability, while the ACT concentrates more on strict knowledge. Both tests, for example, have a math section and both require a sound foundation in geometry and algebra. The SAT includes verbal problems and creative application of the basic rules of geometry. By contrast, the ACT, tends to be more straightforward. Also, the ACT includes basic trigonometry tasks among other math questions. The main difference becomes one of problem-solving versus a wider range of tested concepts. In the English section, the SAT focuses on the reading comprehension and vocabulary. The ACT includes a reading comprehension part as well, but it concentrates more on grammar and syntax. As in the math sections, the ACT is more a test of knowledge than of reasoning and problem-solving. #4 Essay Differences The ACTs essay part is optional while for the new SAT test the essay is required. Moreover, many colleges require the ACTs essay. You have 25 minutes to write the SAT essay whereas the ACT allows for 30 minutes. The ACT, more than the SAT, asks to share your own opinion on potentially disputable issues and use the best counter-argument to defend your point of view. The SAT essay asks students to use examples from literature, history or the testers personal experiences. #5 Structural Differences Students who have taken the SAT found that the questions become more difficult as they progress whereas the ACT exhibits a more even level of difficulty. Furthermore, the ACT math section includes only multiple choice tasks whereas the SAT math section has some questions that need written answers. All in all, the essay for the SAT comes first; the ACT optional essay is last. If you need professional help with preparing to ACT or SAT, here are 4,000+ ACT and SAT tutors nationwide who might be of real help to you. In conclusion, no matter what test you will choose, good preparation is a key to success with either the ACT or SAT.