The SAT and the ACT are nationally recognized standardized tests which are used for applying for admissions in the US. Students internationally can take these exams and can use these to apply to the schools they wish.

Colleges do not have a preference between the SAT and the ACT. They accept either of the scores, so it is not required for you to take both the scores to apply to a school. Let’s compare the SAT and the ACT across different aspects to see where they differ and where they are similar.

After the above comparison between the SAT and the ACT, we can find there are a couple of other differences. 

• The ACT is a more time-crunch exam while the SAT has a bit of breathing space in time per question.
• Apart from that, the ACT has a section dedicated to science, which matters to your scores when submitted, while the SAT does not have a dedicated section. The SAT has science-related questions while there is no dedicated focus as the ACT.
• The math section of ACT focuses on geometry, algebra, trigonometry, matrices, logarithms while SAT focuses mainly on algebra. Geometry, algebra take a back seat while the others aren’t even tested at all.
• Each section in the ACT contributes 25% to your score but on the SAT, Math section itself is about 50% while the rest is Reading, Writing and Language. Math becomes critical on the SAT
• The essay section of the ACT asks you to write your perspective using the perspectives given or your own knowledge. You can generate, build or adopt a perspective as your own and write the essay. The SAT asks you to dissect, analyze and evaluate the author’s opinion based on the information given. You are not asked to give your own opinion.

These are some key differences between the SAT and the ACT. There are some certain states in the US which require you to take one of the exams for applying to the schools in those states. Check the list and this will help you plan better as to which one to take.

States requiring the ACT:

• Alabama
• Hawaii
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States requiring the SAT:

• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Maine
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• Ohio
• Tennessee

If you’re applying for schools in one of these areas, you can choose to opt for the required test while ignoring the other. There are students who have taken both the SATs and ACT and their number is rising each year.

So, before you decide to take one of the exams, write one full-length practice mode exam. This may better help you understand what exam might be best for you.

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