SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Best for You?

International students applying for an undergraduate program study abroad primarily in the USA have to fulfil a major admission requirement of submitting the standardized test scores of either SAT or ACT. These standardized tests are used for college admissions and getting merit-based scholarships. Check out all about SAT vs ACT in this article.

Students who are bound to submit these scores must identify the difference between the ACT and the SAT and also understand their liking or comfort to decide which test is right for them. While SAT was taken by the highest number of test-takers in the year 2023, that is around 1.9 million and ACT test-takers were 1.7 million in 2023 based on US News Report.

There is no hard and fast rule to go for one exam and not for another. The content and pattern of both tests are on similar lines, but it comes with some exceptions, that are to be highlighted in this article, so check out everything about ACT vs SAT and which is easier. 

What is the SAT exam?

Scholastic Aptitude Test commonly referred to as SAT is a standardized test which tests students for their knowledge in reading, writing and maths subjects. The exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes long, consisting of two broad sections - Reading + Writing and Maths Sections. Each section is divided into two modules, where a certain number of questions are tested.

The exam has gone digital in March 2023 and is no more a paper-pencil test. To date, there is no official statement on concrete details about SAT eligibility, but high school pass-outs are recommended to appear for the SAT exam. The SAT exam is widely accepted across not just US universities, they are also accepted at UK, Canadian and Australian universities too. Since June 2021, the SAT subject tests have been discontinued, find more details here - SAT Subject Tests are no longer required at most American Colleges.

What is an ACT exam?

American College Testing or ACT exam is also a standardized exam which is taken by prospective undergraduates applying for admission to study abroad. The ACT exam is 2 hours and 55 minutes long and includes around 215 questions spread across different sections. ACT exam is divided into four sections, namely:

• English
• Mathematics
• Reading
• Science
• Optional Writing section

Just like the SAT exam, the ACT exam is also widely accepted across top universities abroad, in all major countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Italy, etc. So when SAT vs ACT comes up, there is difference only in the exam pattern, and scoring but they are accepted for the same purpose.

ACT vs SAT: How are they Different?

Universities accept ACT Scores and SAT Scores for admission to different programs in the world. The colleges compare applicants before offering admission to their university using these scores. Therefore, students normally question the preferences of one test over the other and also which test is easier or will increase their admission prospects.

ACT vs SAT: Exam Format

Let’s look at the similarities and differences between the ACT exam pattern and SAT exam pattern based on the proposed guideline, elaborated below:

This is just one area of differentiation based on the format of the two exams - SAT and ACT. Check out other areas where SAT and ACT differ from one another. Check: How is ACT Different from SAT?

SAT vs ACT: How to Register?

In order to register for either of the given standardized exams for undergraduate admissions, the applicants will have to take different routes for the same. Check out the details below for more details:

ACT Exam Registration Steps:

Follow the given steps to register for the ACT exam:

• Log on to ACT's official website and sign in.
• Fill in the required details and complete all steps.
• Choose your ACT test centre and ACT exam date and complete the registration.
• To complete the registration, pay the requisite fee and submit it. 

SAT Exam Registration Steps:

For SAT exam registration check out the following steps to be followed:

• Applicants will have to log on to the College Board website and sign in.
• Begin registering for the SAT exam and begin filling in each of the given details step by step.
• There will be around a couple of steps till applicants reach the SAT test centre and SAT test date selection step.
• Upon selecting the test centre and date, applicants will be prompted towards the fee payment page.
• Once the fee is paid, the SAT registration is complete.

ACT vs SAT: Score Conversion

Since the ACT and SAT are both scored on different scales or ranges, here is the table below showing the ACT and SAT score conversions for prospective applicants:

The above-given scores are equivalent scores or ranges of ACT and SAT exams. Applicants scoring anywhere around this range, can come and check out for the equivalent scores if at all necessary. Applicants can refer to this as ACT to SAT converter or vice versa whenever applying for admissions abroad. 

Which is the most Preferred at Foreign Universities - SAT or ACT?

As such there is no preference mentioned on foreign university websites for applicants applying for admissions abroad and where ACT or SAT exam scores are required. There may be universities which would have scrapped SAT or ACT score submissions as part of the admission requirements. There are a couple of US universities which have become test-optional or have scrapped the standardized test scores completely. Also check out: Take the SAT exam in India to study in the US and Canada. Thus, it is completely up to the applicants what exactly are they willing to submit - SAT or ACT scores. 

A lot depends on the applicant's inclination rather than the university's preferences. In case the applicant is well versed in Maths and science and has good command over the subject throughout school, then they can opt for the ACT. Those who have a slight bent towards language and literature and the basics of Maths can go for the SAT exam. Unless mentioned on the university website, applicants should submit only that exam score with which they are comfortable. Thus, there is no preference at foreign universities, rather the preference lies with the applicants. 

SAT vs ACT: Which is Easier?

There is no specific answer to the question, as to which is easier - SAT or ACT. The applicants appearing for these exams can have their own choice, but it should not be influenced by the ease of the exam but rather by what suits them the best. By this, it means that students who have a strong background in Maths and Science can think of opting for the ACT exam, while those good with Maths, Reading and English can try their hands at the SAT exam. It completely depends on the applicants as to what they find easier and more comfortable to give. Before concluding, applicants can check out:

• The syllabus of both the exams, that is ACT and SAT exams.
• If they are comfortable preparing within the given time limit if at all there is a time constraint.
• Also, the previous knowledge level of the applicant is based on both the exams and assesses if it is possible to be able to score better and on which exam.
• Whether the applicant can appear for the SAT or ACT based on the subjects tested.

Overall, all these factors depend on the applicant they are prepared enough to appear for the SAT or ACT based on which is easier for them. The reasons are not just limited here, there can be more depending upon the applicant and situation in question. So ACT vs SAT which is better or easier will depend on the applicants taking the exam.