Comparing the ACT & SAT 

Which test is the best fit for your child?

ACT or SAT? Or both?

Colleges do not have a preference for one test over the other, so we recommend that students take the test they’re likely get a better score on. It's not necessary (and we do not recommend) to take both the ACT and the SAT.

In Illinois, all public schools (and some private) offer a school-day ACT to juniors in April.

Which test will your child do better on?

One way to find out is to learn about the tests and see if one seems to match your child’s strengths better than the other.

A more informed way is to compare test scores. We can do this using our practice tests, real tests (e.g. preACT, PSAT, ACT, SAT), or a combination of both. You can review the score reports with a Nurturing Wisdom tutoring director at no charge!

Both the ACT and SAT have changed dramatically over the past few years. 

The table below compares the main aspects of each test.

green arrow with loop

ACT

SAT

FORMAT

  • Paper and pencil

OR

  • Digital, not adaptive
  • Digital, adaptive within each section
  • Paper and pencil will be available only for students with an approved accommodation

SECTIONS

  • English: 35 minutes for 50 questions
  • Math: 50 minutes for 45 questions – each question has 4 answer choices
  • Reading: 40 minutes for 36 questions
  • Optional Science: 40 minutes for 40 questions
  • Optional Essay: 40 minutes for 1 prompt
  • Reading & Writing: two modules, each 32 minutes for 27 questions
  • Math: two modules, each 35 minutes for 22 questions

CALCULATOR

Allowed on entire math test

Allowed on entire math test

TIMING

2 hours and 5 minutes for 131 questions; add time and questions for optional sections

2 hours and 14 minutes for 98 questions

SCORE RANGE

1-36 (average of English, math, and reading section scores; if taken, science is reported separately)

400-1600 (sum of reading & writing and math section scores)

YOU MIGHT PREFER THE TEST IF YOU...

  • do better on straightforward, traditional standardized tests

  • are anxious about adaptive tests

  • are stronger in verbal areas (i.e. language arts, grammar, reading comprehension, and reasoning) than mathematics

  • like taking tests on the computer
  • enjoy the challenge of an adaptive test
  • want a faster-paced, shorter test with less emphasis on the reading format found on traditional standardized tests

THE TEST MIGHT BE  CHALLENGING BECAUSE...

  • the timing is tighter than on the SAT
  • the math section includes various types of math like algebra, geometry, and trig
  • you need to correctly answer the harder questions in the first module in order to get harder questions in the second module
  • doing well requires sharp critical thinking and reasoning skills
  • there are unusual question types you may be unfamiliar with
  • the math questions are complex; they might be phrased in a challenging way and/or require multiple steps to figure out

FORMAT

ACT

  • Paper and pencil

OR

  • Digital, not adaptive

SAT

  • Digital, adaptive within each section
  • Paper and pencil will be available only for students with an approved accommodation

SECTIONS

ACT

  • English: 35 minutes for 50 questions
  • Math: 50 minutes for 45 questions – each question has 4 answer choices
  • Reading: 40 minutes for 36 questions
  • Optional Science: 40 minutes for 40 questions
  • Optional Essay: 40 minutes for 1 prompt

SAT

  • Reading & Writing: two modules, each 32 minutes for 27 questions
  • Math: two modules, each 35 minutes for 22 questions

TIMING

ACT

2 hours and 5 minutes for 131 questions; add time and questions for optional sections

SAT

2 hours and 14 minutes for 98 questions

CALCULATOR

ACT

Allowed on entire math test

SAT

Allowed on entire math test

SCORE RANGE

ACT

1-36 (average of English, math, and reading section scores; if taken, science is reported separately)

SAT

400-1600 (sum of reading & writing and math section scores)

YOU MIGHT PREFER THE TEST IF YOU...

ACT

  • do better on straightforward, traditional standardized tests

  • are anxious about adaptive tests

  • are stronger in verbal areas (i.e. language arts, grammar, reading comprehension, and reasoning) than mathematics

SAT

  • like taking tests on the computer
  • enjoy the challenge of an adaptive test
  • want a faster-paced, shorter test with less emphasis on the reading format found on traditional standardized tests

THE TEST MIGHT BE  CHALLENGING BECAUSE...

ACT

  • the timing is tighter than on the SAT
  • the math section includes various types of math like algebra, geometry, and trig

SAT

  • you need to correctly answer the harder questions in the first module in order to get harder questions in the second module
  • doing well requires sharp critical thinking and reasoning skills
  • there are unusual question types you may be unfamiliar with
  • the math questions are complex; they might be phrased in a challenging way and/or require multiple steps to figure out
array of gold stars
  • Susanna, parent of an 8th grader
    I was really impressed. I really love the breakdown you provide after the initial round of practice testing. It helps set the stage and give parents and child a good sense for what all of the numbers and percentages mean.
    Susanna, parent of an 8th grader
  • Andrea and Richard, parents of an 8th grader
    As parents, we want the best for our children. So when we make such a critical decision on who will best serve the tutoring needs for our child, we'd better be right the first time, and we were - it was Nurturing Wisdom. We knew from the minute we signed that we hit a home run. This feeling first came about when we spoke with Connor's tutor. He was an absolute professional who really knows how to convey his talent on strategic and quality test-taking. I was impressed with how he explained to Connor the importance of the test-taking strategies for each subject. He showed Connor how to tackle math equations in ways he was never taught.
    Andrea and Richard, parents of an 8th grader
  • Deanna, parent of an 8th grader
    Nurturing Wisdom was recommended by our school. I have to say I have been so happy with our overall experience—from the beginning of discussing my needs for my son to our current tutoring. Our tutoring director was always so respectful and caring. Nurturing Wisdom is an amazing company that will listen and help get the right fit for each child's needs! Going through high school testing is hard enough. When your child feels lost and unsure of how to handle testing, Nurturing Wisdom definitely prepares them for it.
    Deanna, parent of an 8th grader
  • Tenah, parent of an 8th grader
    You have helped my daughter in so many ways. Her confidence, grades, and test scores increased beyond our expectations, especially the test scores in only a couple of weeks. Thank you! Thank you so, so much! I have a happy, confident child entering high school.
    Tenah, parent of an 8th grader