First offered in 1959, the American College Testing (ACT) was started as a rival to the infamous Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) by professor Everett Franklin Lindquist. The key difference between the SAT and the ACT is that the SAT measures aptitude while the ACT assesses students’ knowledge.

Assessing students’ knowledge means testing how students can apply information they already know, while the SAT measures problem solving skills with less emphasis on high school knowledge.

The ACT is measured on a scale of 1-36, consisting of a 50 minute English section, 36 minute reading section, and a 45 minute math section with an optional 40 minute science and writing section. The ACT has significantly more questions with less time per question than the SAT, but offers easier, more direct questions. 

The math section covers a broader range of math topics, including Arithmetic, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics.

The ACT also emphasizes its assessment of practical language skills, rather than having to memorize a list of vocabulary words for the SAT. The ACT is more accessible than the SAT for English learners, giving applicable learners additional time, testing in smaller groups, bilingual dictionaries, and test directions in the students native language. 

Test takers are given the opportunity to purchase their ACT Answer Key to help prepare for future tests, something the SAT does not offer. This test can be taken with pencil and paper or online, allowing for more adjustability for test takers. It also offers a fifteen minute and a five minute break in contrast to the SATs singular ten minute break. 

Though it is a newer test, the ACT is a great option for students who like more direct questions, a faster pace, and longer breaks. It is also great for students who need accommodations and adjustments during a long and difficult test.

Created and first administered in 1926, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) was designed by psychologist Carl Brigham. The purpose of this test was to assess college readiness in a standardized way, and it was based on the Army’s IQ test that originated in World War I. 

The SAT’s scoring is measured on a scale of 400-1600. The test features two sets: a reading and writing section, followed by a math section. The total test time is 2 hours and 14 minutes. The reading and writing section is 54 questions, allotting 64 minutes of the test. The math section is less, at 44 questions, but takes up more time with the remaining 70 minutes. 

The SAT also offers an additional 41% to 44% of the time per question in comparison to the ACT. The reading passages are much shorter than the ACT, and feature only one question per passage, compared to the ACT’s nine questions. The SAT also integrates built-in math support, with a graphing calculator along with all necessary formulas one may need. 

A key benefit to taking the SAT in comparison to the ACT is the stage adaptive structure. The difficulty of module 2 for both the reading and math section are based on module 1, tailoring to the student’s performance. This allows for a shorter, more efficient test that accurately reflects a student’s abilities. 

In short, longevity doesn’t imply inferiority. The SAT has been a consistent component of the U.S. college system admissions process for almost a century, and can continue to be effective and reliable. 

(Photo by Savannah Javadi and Cora Sklar/The Talon)

Overall, there is no correct answer as to whether you should take the ACT or SAT. It purely depends on the type of test taker and learner you are. If you work well under pressure, prefer direct questions and do well with longer reading questions, the ACT could be for you. If you prefer more time per question, excel in analytical thinking and enjoy shorter reading passages, then the SAT may be where you succeed. 

Still, the best way to tell is to take both practice tests and compare your scores. The Oak Park High School Practice SAT is once a year in October, and you can sign up for practice ACTs on the ACT website. By practicing both tests, you can find which one you are better at and take a test that fits your learning style better.