Which Test Suits You Best: ACT or SAT? A Complete Guide

If you’re beginning your college admissions testing journey, one of the most important early decisions you’ll make is whether to focus on the ACT or the SAT. Although both exams are equally accepted at every U.S. college—including Ivy League and highly selective universities—they differ in structure, timing, pacing, and content.

Choosing the right test can save you months of stress, maximize your score potential, and streamline your prep strategy. As an ACT/SAT tutor who has guided hundreds of students through this decision, I’m going to break down the key differences so you can confidently choose which exam suits you best.

Both Tests Are Equally Accepted—and They Both Superscore

Before diving into the differences, let’s clear up two major misconceptions:

• Colleges do NOT prefer one test over the other.
  This has been true for years and remains true for 2025 admissions. The ACT and SAT are interchangeable in college admissions.

• Most colleges superscore BOTH tests.
  Superscoring means colleges take your highest section scores across multiple test dates to form your strongest possible composite.
  In other words, you’re not locked into one test date—strong performances across attempts can combine into one powerful score.

Since the tests are treated equally, the real question becomes: Which test highlights your strengths?

Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT

Both exams measure college readiness, but they’re very different experiences for students. Here’s what sets them apart:

1. Math Weight: SAT Is 50% Math; ACT Is Now One-Third Math

The SAT places a heavy emphasis on math—half of your total score comes from two math modules.
If you are a strong math student, this may work to your advantage.
If you struggle in math, the SAT may feel more punishing.

The ACT, on the other hand, uses only three sections to calculate your composite score in the Enhanced ACT era:

• English

• Math

• Reading

That makes math one-third (33%) of the score, not 50%.
For some students, this makes the ACT a more balanced option.

2. ACT Science Is Now Optional—but Still Useful

Beginning in 2025, the ACT science section is now optional.
Students may choose:

• ACT Core (English, Math, Reading)

• ACT + Science

• ACT + Writing

• ACT + Science + Writing

Although it’s no longer part of the composite score, I strongly recommend taking the science section. Colleges will still see your best science score, and the section is actually straightforward once you know the strategies—nearly every question can be answered by reading charts and graphs, not outside science knowledge. Taking an optional section also shows colleges that you are exceeding expectations and looks great on an application if you can score well!

3. Timing and Pacing

Historically, the ACT was known as the “time crunch” test.
The Enhanced ACT that commenced in September 2025 still requires efficiency, but students now get more time per question thanks to:

• Shorter tests

• Fewer questions

• Streamlined passages

However, the ACT remains slightly faster-paced than the SAT overall.

The SAT, in digital format since 2024, gives students more time per question and fewer total questions. It rewards careful reading and steady reasoning, rather than speed.

4. Test Format: SAT Is Fully Digital; ACT Still Offers Paper

One of the biggest differences:

• The SAT is 100% digital everywhere in the U.S.

• The ACT offers BOTH digital and paper testing options

If you prefer a paper-and-pencil test or get fatigued on screens, the ACT may be a better fit.

5. Math Content Differences

The SAT emphasizes:

• Algebra

• Data analysis

• Word problems

• Slightly less geometry overall

• Answers must often be solved precisely, not estimated

• A higher maximum difficulty for the toughest math questions on a given test (my subjective opinion)

The ACT includes:

• Slightly more geometry

• Slightly more trigonometry

• Problems written in a more straightforward, direct format

• A lower maximum difficulty for the toughest math questions on a given test (my subjective opinion)

With the Enhanced ACT, the math will shift slightly toward more real-world applications and less geometry, but it will still feel more direct than SAT math.

6. Reading Differences

SAT Reading uses adaptive digital modules. If you perform well on the first module, the second module becomes more challenging and can yield a higher score. If you do not perform well enough on the first module, you will be given the “easy” second module, and your maximum score will then be capped at a value much lower than 800. The SAT Reading and Writing modules have a higher maximum difficulty for their toughest questions on a given test (my subjective opinion).

ACT Reading features longer, more traditional passages and remains non-adaptive. The pacing is faster, but the questions tend to be more predictable and direct. The ACT reading section has a lower maximum difficulty for its toughest questions on a given test (my subjective opinion).

7. English/Writing & Language Differences

Both tests cover grammar, punctuation, and writing structure, but differ in format:

• ACT English has more questions and faster pacing but highly predictable grammar rules.

• SAT Writing includes shorter passages and more reasoning-based editing decisions.

Students who like a fast, formulaic, pattern-heavy approach often prefer ACT English, while students who prefer more reading-based editing sometimes prefer SAT Writing.

8. Calculator Policy

• SAT: Calculator allowed for the entire math section (built-in Desmos).

• ACT: Calculator allowed for the entire math section; students may bring their own approved calculator.

9. Scoring Differences

• ACT: Composite from 1–36, based on English, Math, and Reading (plus Science score shown separately).

• SAT: Total score from 400–1600.

Both superscore.
Both report percentiles.
Both are equally respected by colleges.

Which Test Should You Take?

Consider the ACT if you…

• Prefer paper testing

• Are skilled in grammar

• Prefer straightforward math questions

• Want math to be only one-third of your composite

• Prefer reading an entire passage and answering 9 questions about it

• Can handle moderately fast pacing

• Don’t mind an optional science section that doesn’t require much outside knowledge

Consider the SAT if you…

• Prefer digital testing

• Want more time per question

• Are stronger in algebra than geometry

• Prefer reading shorter passages (one question per mini-passage)

• Like adaptive testing (strong performance yields harder modules and higher scoring potential)

My Recommendation for Students

One of the most important steps I typically take with students is a diagnostic test for both exams.
During our initial consultation, I can very quickly determine which exam better fits a student’s strengths—long before we waste time studying for the wrong test. Sometimes, simply comparing a diagnostic ACT to a student’s PSAT scores can provide illuminating information about which test is best for that student.

Once we choose, we go all in on that one test. Colleges don’t need or expect students to take both. So, there is no point in devoting time and energy to maximize superscores for both tests. Devoting time and energy to one test will optimize that test’s superscore. Choosing the right test early saves months of prep, boosts confidence, and leads to a higher superscore.

Final Thoughts: The Best Test Is The One You Can Master

The ACT and SAT have become more similar over the years, but their differences still matter. Choosing the right test can be the difference between a plateau and a score breakthrough.

If you want expert guidance choosing the right test—and a customized prep plan that maximizes your superscore—I’d love to help.

Contact me today to get started with expert ACT/SAT tutoring and take the next step toward college success!