Standardized testing is a crucial part of many students’ college applications, especially through the ACT (American College Testing) and the SAT. However, with colleges now going test-optional or test-blind, not every student needs to take either; it largely depends on their goals. Still, choosing which one to take can be difficult, though, as there are various aspects to consider for each.

The SAT is split into two sections: Reading and Writing (Modules 1 and 2) and Math (Modules 1 and 2). Each Reading and Writing Module allows students 32 minutes to complete 27 questions, while each Math Module gives students 35 minutes to complete 22 questions. This test also allows more time per question compared to the ACT (around 71 seconds per reading and writing question and around 95 seconds per math question), and it only tests reading, writing, and math. Junior Myrto Charalabidi chose to take the SAT because “[she] didn’t want to be doing science as well for the ACT,” a view that many SAT-takers share.

In contrast, the ACT includes an optional Writing section and an optional Science section, along with English, Reading, and Math. Due to the changes made this summer, the science section has been made optional, and the time allotted for each section has been adjusted (the English section now has 50 questions, 10 of which are experimental, and is 35 minutes long; the Math section has 45 questions, 4 of which are experimental, and is 50 minutes long; the Reading section has 36 questions, 9 of which are experimental, and is 40 minutes long). The science portion used to intimidate some students away from the ACT, but making it optional has led many to reconsider. If students choose to take them, the Science section includes 40 questions and is 40 minutes long, while the Writing section consists of one prompt completed in 40 minutes.

Junior Gianna Catinella ultimately chose to focus on the ACT after taking a practice test for both exams. “Taking both the SAT and the ACT before I began studying helped me to choose which one to take,” Catinella explains. Although “[she] didn’t actually like the ACT, and [she] wanted to take the SAT” at first, after a few practice tests, she started to prefer the ACT.

Trying both without any preparation can help students determine which exam to take, as they cover similar concepts but have significantly different formats and pacing. Both tests also offer superscoring, combining the best scores from multiple tests, providing some reassurance for students aiming for their best results.

Good luck to anyone currently studying and preparing for these tests!