Both the ACT and SAT are accepted by all U.S. colleges. Both the ACT and the SAT include core sections on Reading, Writing, and Math. Both tests include an optional essay, and neither penalizes for wrong answers. Both are taken by millions of students, and there is no longer the geographical divide there once was between test-takers on the coasts (mostly SAT) and test-takers in the middle of the country (mostly ACT).

Opting for a right exam is an important choice and an epic battle that most high school students will have to go through. To help you decide right, here are the key differences you need to know-

Time per Question

Hate lack of time? Then you might prefer SAT over ACT. This is because the SAT gives you more time to ask questions than ACT. The SAT offers more question time for all exam sections. In the “SAT math” and “reading” the Question Time will last the longest. The Math Calculator section gives you almost 30 more seconds per question than in the ACT Math section! So, if you think about time management, especially about mathematics, the SAT has more work and far less workload restrictions than ACT.

Weightage of Math Score

How big is the role of mathematics for your bottom line? The answer to this question depends on whether you completed ACT or SAT. In ACT, mathematics represents a quarter of your total score (your math score is averaged from your other three score points). However, on the SAT, Mathematics is half of your total score, making it twice as important for the SAT! If math is not one of your strengths, you must choose ACT. With ACT, lower Math scores don’t affect your overall score as bad as your SAT.

Content of Essays

The last big difference between the two tests is the content of the essay. For ACT and SAT, the essay component is optional. What you need to write depends on whether you complete the SAT or ACT. The SAT accepts the part you have to read and then analyze. Your essay will break down the writer’s argument using evidence and argument. In other words, you will not give your opinion.

Therefore, Instead of just guessing whether you know ACT or SAT better, it’s better to choose each test and then compare your results. To do this, you need to find a formal practice test for ACT and SAT. The official practical test is the next test that can bring you to real business. Here’s what you will do: Choose an official practice test for each exam, and then specify the day you want to take. As a reminder, each test lasts about four hours. So take enough time to do each test endlessly. Don’t run the test on the same day or even two days in a row. Also, make sure that you do the test in a quiet place and set the right time (as you would in an actual exam).

After completing both practice tests, calculate your ACT and SAT scores using instructions for your field test, then compare the results. The easiest way to compare your results is to turn all your ACT test results into a common SAT test using our convenient conversion system.

Or, you can compare percentages for your ACT and SAT scores to determine which test scores are higher. In the end, the exams that you score higher are the exams that you must ultimately prepare and use for college. If the ACT and SAT scores are almost the same or equivalent, you might get the same results every time you test. So it’s up to you to decide whether you want to do both tests or if you only want one test. For more information, see our guide on who should consider introducing ACT and SAT.