Should I take the SAT or ACT?
End your concerns today. Navigate through our guiding questions and decide which standardized test to take.
The SAT and ACT are the two most popular standardized tests used in college admissions. Despite serving the same role and having a similar test structure, the differences between the two are not negligible. So, which one should you take?
#1. Do you prefer Paper-based or Computer-based?
The SAT is paper-based, and the ACT offers both paper-based and computer-based modes.
This is an important point if you perform in one mode better than the other. If you prefer annotating on paper as you go, then going computer-based is not advisable. On the other hand, if you often make mistakes while transferring your answer to the answer sheet, it might be better for you to mark your answers right away on the computer.
Another consideration is that you will get your results earlier if you take the computer-based ACT test. If you urgently need a standardized test score, definitely think about this option.
* This difference will no longer matter from 2024, as the SAT will switch to a computer-based system.
#2. Are you applying only to US universities, or globally?
The SAT is currently recognized by more than 700 universities outside the US, while the ACT is accepted by 225 universities outside the US. The international recognition of the SAT is a key strength of the SAT vs. the ACT.
If you are applying to universities outside the US, it could be more advantageous to take the SAT, although this choice should be informed by the admissions policy of individual institutions. The choice won’t matter if you are only applying to schools in the US.
#3. Do you want to take the optional essay?
The optional essay of the SAT has been discontinued as of 2021, while the optional writing section (equivalent to essay) remains in the ACT. If the essay is an option that you need or want, go for the ACT.
#4. Are you comfortable with doing mathematics without a calculator?
If you aren’t, you might want to give another thought on taking the SAT. The SAT has both calculator and non-calculator sections, while the ACT only has a calculator section in mathematics.
Although the level of mathematics required in the SAT is not extremely high, review this point if you are already used to doing all calculations using the calculator.
#5. Are you good at Science?
This is a trick question! Your scientific knowledge does not really matter for the SAT nor the ACT. A common myth is that STEM students perform better in the ACT due to its Science section, but this is not actually true. In the ACT Science section, you won’t get tested for your scientific knowledge but rather how good you are at extracting information from a passage. If you are curious about what this means, refer to the official practice questions.
RECAP!
#1. Do you prefer Paper-based or Computer-based?
- Paper-based: SAT or ACT
- Computer-based: ACT
#2. Are you applying only to US universities, or globally?
- Only US: SAT or ACT
- Globally: SAT
#3. Do you want to take the optional essay?
- Yes: ACT
- No: SAT or ACT
#4. Are you comfortable with doing mathematics without a calculator?
- Yes: SAT or ACT
- No: ACT
#5. Are you good at Science?
- Yes: (Good for you!) SAT or ACT
- No: SAT or ACT
So… What next?
If you are still unsure which standardized to take, we highly recommend you try going through a complete set of either the SAT or ACT. Millie regularly runs free SAT Diagnostic Tests, which give you a chance to try the SAT under exam conditions (and get feedback!). You can ask your school counselor, email us, or just keep an eye on our Instagram to find out when the next free Millie SAT Diagnostic Test test is taking place! And make sure to sign up when the registrations open.
If this guide helped you decide which test to take, that’s great! Millie runs 1:1 and group lessons for the SAT and 1:1 lessons for the ACT, so if this sounds like the help you need, sign up for a free consultation to find out more!