The SAT is one of the biggest tests a student can take in their school career. It is one of the deciding figures of what college that student goes to. This is the reason why many high schoolers fear it.

The SAT stands for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The Princeton Review states that it consists of advanced math and English questions as well as an optional essay at the end. Without the essay, the full test takes 3 hours to complete with a few short breaks in between. If the test-taker chooses to take the SAT with the essay, it tallies up to be three hours and fifty minutes long. The English section is comprised of 5 reading passages with 96 questions after. The math section is made up of Arithmetic, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis. This may seem like a lot of math but there only 58 math questions in total.

The ACT can be taken instead of the SAT and is also a well-known test used to get into college. The ACT stands for the American College Test. It is surprisingly different from the SAT. The ACT tests you on your critical thinking ability and analysis abilities. The Princeton Review states that it is comprised of an English, science, math, and reading section. There is also an optional essay at the end. Without the essay, it takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. But, with the essay, the ACT takes 3 hours and 40 minutes. The science section is one question that tests the student on their critical thinking skills.

When CdM students were asked which test they would take, there were mixed responses. Freshman Matthew Palladino commented, saying “I don’t know whether I am going to pick the SAT or the ACT exam yet. I’ll have to research more about them.”

Another quote by Gigi, an 11th grader states, “I recently took the SAT and I feel great about it. I can’t wait for my score to come back!”.

The ACT and SAT are both huge tests that students stress out on all the time. But, if the test taker takes the time to research more about these two tests, then they may find that one is better for them than the other.