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The SAT vs. The ACT - a Comparison

Many people do not realize that the ACT is accepted equally to the SAT by most colleges and universities. Many students actually improve their college admissions chances by taking both the ACT and the SAT!  

The SAT Reasoning Test is a test of the student’s problem solving ability.  The New SAT added a writing test, a tougher mathematics section as well as other changes. The new test, was administered for the first time in March 2005. It requires each student to produce a handwritten essay as part of the new writing exam. The new test has replaced verbal analogies with additional reading comprehension questions. Most college-bound students should plan to take it beginning with the spring of their junior year.  It may be re-taken several times.  Although schools do see all of the scores, as a general practice they only use the highest combined verbal & math scores from the best sitting of the test.  For more information about the New SAT click on SAT Reasoning Test Details link. The new writing component meets the University of California's examination requirements which are in effect for the class of 2006 and beyond. For more information click on the UC Testing Requirements link.

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. Beginning in the spring of 2005, the ACT began to  offer an optional 30-minute Writing Test as an addition to the English portion of the ACT assessment which will meet the University of California's new examination requirements for the class of 2006 and beyond. You take the Writing Test only if required by the college you're applying to. The ACT lets the student decide what set of scores they want sent. The College Board's policy is to send all scores. The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.  Often, students whose worst subject is Math will do better on this test because only 1/4 of the composite score is based on Mathematics. It was designed to be taken by High School students towards the end of their Junior year.  Virtually all colleges and universities accept it as a qualifying entrance examination. For more information about the new Writing Assessment go our ACT Test Details link as well as the UC Testing Requirements link.

The UC System's SAT/ACT Test Score Translation Table:

      

For more information about the UC System's use of the SAT & ACT tests click on the UC Eligibility Index and UC Testing Requirements links.

To print out a comprehensive list of schools and their policies regarding these new tests click on the Who Wants What Test?  link. 

  • collegeboard.com  The College Board is the company that administers all SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject & AP tests.  Through this free website you can register for tests and release scores online.  It also allows you to do nationwide college searches with hotlinks to the homepages of the schools.  It can be accessed at: www.collegeboard.com  
  • ACT HomepageThe American College Testing Program Inc.  is the other major college admissions company that administers the ACT test which student may take as alternative to the SAT. They are also available on the web.  There is a wealth of information about the ACT assessment including test-taking tips, sample questions, online registration, and automated score reporting.  It can be accessed at: www.actstudent.org/index.html

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