Introduction
- Taking the SAT is the best way to show colleges you have the skills and knowledge they want most.
- And because you have seven chances each year to test, more time for each question, and access to free practice tools, you'll see that the SAT offers advantages the ACT doesn't.
- Find out other ways the SAT compares to the ACT* before taking your next step to plan for college.
S vs A
| Features | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Widely accepted | All U.S. colleges | All U.S. colleges |
| Measures |
|
What students learn in high school |
| Everyday math formulas provided | Yes | No |
| Tests the vocabulary you’ll use | Yes | Yes |
| Essay is optional | Yes | Yes |
| Penalty for guessing | No | No |
| Schedule | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Future test administration dates | 3 years | 2 years |
| Regular registration deadline | About 4 weeks before test day. You pay a late fee for registering later. | About 5 weeks before test day. You pay a late fee for registering later. |
| Late registration closes | About 11 days before test day | 20+ days before test day |
| Test days | 7 times a year | 7 times a year |
| Benefits and Rules | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Test fees waived for eligible students | Yes | Yes |
| Regular registration deadline | About 4 weeks before test day. You pay a late fee for registering later. | About 5 weeks before test day. You pay a late fee for registering later. |
| Automatically unlocks all fee waiver benefits after one-time use | Yes | No |
| Waivers cover late fees | Yes | No |
| Score reports | Unlimited | 20 score reports |
| Waived application fees at participating colleges | Yes | No |
| Score services | Yes, either Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) or Student Answer Service (SAS) for SAT administrations | Yes, Test Information Release for 3 administrations |
| A fee reduction for multiple-choice score verification or essay score verification | Yes | No |
| Free applications to apply for financial aid from participating schools | Yes, students can use CSS Profile to apply for financial aid | No |
| Expiration date | No | Expire end of August each year |
| Structure and Timing | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Testing time | 3 hours + 50-minute essay (optional) | 2 hours 55 minutes + 40-minute essay (optional) |
| Structure | 154 | 215 |
| Time per question | 1 minute, 10 seconds | 49 seconds |
| Score range | Composite 400–1600 (SAT Essay: reported in 3 dimensions, each 2–8) | Composite 1–36 (writing domain scores: 2–12) |
| Test components | Reading Test 65 minutes 52 questions Writing and Language Test 35 minutes 44 questions Math Test 80 minutes 58 questions | Reading Test 35 minutes 40 questions English Test 45 minutes 75 questions Math Test 60 minutes 60 questions Science Test 35 minutes 40 questions |
| Waived application fees at participating colleges | Yes | No |
| Score services | Yes, either Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) or Student Answer Service (SAS) for SAT administrations | Yes, Test Information Release for 3 administrations |
| A fee reduction for multiple-choice score verification or essay score verification | Yes | No |
| Free applications to apply for financial aid from participating schools | Yes, students can use CSS Profile to apply for financial aid | No |
SAT - Related Information
SAT Introduction
SAT Preparation Overview
SAT Eligibility
SAT Registration
SAT Preparation Tips
