English

The English section of the ACT is in the same format as the SAT Writing section, with both grammar and rhetorical questions inserted into passages. However, the ACT has a higher frequency of grammar questions, which are more easily learned through training than the rhetorical strategies that are learned through exposure to reading.

Reading

The ACT Reading section is at a lower reading level than the SAT as well as has fewer reading passages total. There are also no historical passages (e.g. US History) or passages in old dialect (e.g. written in the 1800’s) on the ACT Reading section that you will see on the SAT. For the ACT, how you manage the time you allot to the passage and the questions is more impactful to your score than your reading skill. Put more concisely, the vocabulary is simpler, the sentence structure is simpler, and the content is simpler. In general, if you read at an average speed on the ACT, you can get a 28+ score with training in this section. It is much harder to receive the equivalent score with training alone on the SAT because time is not the constraining factor - comprehension is.

Math

The Math section of the ACT goes deeper into high school-level Math (i.e. Pre-Calculus), while the SAT Math section is mainly Algebra 2. However, the SAT increases the difficulty of these Algebra 2 questions beyond what students typically see in school. Though ACT covers more content areas, many students consider the SAT Math more difficult because they haven’t seen some of the content before. The ACT Math section is also all multiple-choice questions, while the SAT has short-answer questions in both the non-calculator and calculator Math sections. Because of this, you’re able to employ back-up strategies to determine question answers if you’re unsure for ACT Math questions.

Science

There’s a section on the ACT that isn’t tested on the SAT: Science. Though this may sound intimidating for some, the Science section mainly focuses on the basics: disseminating information from a graph/chart/table, experimental design, and research reading comprehension. Because the ACT Science section doesn’t test hard knowledge, students who have strong reading comprehension without a background in science tend to do well in this section after training. For many students, their starting Science score is the lowest and their ending Science score is the highest, making it one of the most trainable sections.

Best Way to Determine

A full-length official practice ACT and a full-length official practice SAT, taken on separate days.

Alternative Way to Determine

If time is tight, take a full-length recent official practice ACT and compare your score to your sophomore PSAT score (if you have one).

Not So Great Ways to Determine

Your score(s) may not be as predictive of an official test if you take both the ACT and SAT in one sitting, an unofficial or old official practice test, or an untimed practice test at home.

ACT

                         You will have an advantage if you are a fast processor.

                         You will learn to focus on technique and specific approaches.

                         You will need to memorize formulas.

                         You would rather learn graph/chart reading.

SAT

                         You will have an advantage if you have stronger logic skills.

                         You will learn to focus on mindset and a broad approach.

                         You will not need to memorize formulas.

                         You would rather learn heavy algebra and have strong math intuition.