SAT vs ACT; Difference Between Both

If you’ve ever watched an American teen drama, chances are you’ve heard a character mention the SATs. But what exactly are they? And how are they different from the ACT? These remain some of the most frequently asked questions by students planning to study abroad.

As you explore options for international education, you’ve likely come across the SAT or ACT as key requirements for undergraduate admissions. Many students often confuse these standardised tests with other Exams Required for Studying Abroad.

While IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are English language proficiency tests, the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT fall under the category of standardised academic assessments. Their primary purpose is to evaluate a student’s readiness for university-level coursework.

In short, these tests assess whether you’re prepared for the academic challenges of college. If you’re applying to undergraduate programmes in the USA, UK, Canada, or other major study destinations, demonstrating your college readiness through exams like the SAT or ACT is crucial.

So, if you’re about to begin your exam preparations, it’s important to understand which test is the right fit for you.

In this blog, we’ll explore the SAT vs ACT comparison, breaking down how these two exams are similar, how they differ, and how to decide which one suits your goals best.

SAT vs ACT- An Easy Understanding

When you start with your study abroad preparations, you must have seen you are required to take a standardised exam. After researching about the ones for graduate level, you must have seen SAT and ACT along with LSAT, GRE, and GMAT.

Now to make you easily understand about both the exams, we have sorted the information for you. Here is what a SAT or ACT exam is.

SAT

SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is one of the most popular and highly accepted standardised exams in universities of USA, UK, and Canada. Conducted by College Board, there are total 98 questions in the test which students have to complete in 2 hours and 14 minutes.

The score of SAT exam ranges from 400-1600, with no negative marking for wrong answer or unanswered questions. The main subjects tested in the SAT exam includes evidence-based reading, writing and math. The SAT exam format was pen and paper based until March 2024. In today’s time, the SAT exam is completely digital known as SAT Digital.

Indian students who are aiming to take the test have to register for the exam, select a date and the exam centre. The SAT Exam Fees for India students is ₹11,305. (Kindly, refer to the official website to check the current pricing.)

ACT

ACT or American College Test is another very popular standardised exam for students to get admission into American, UK, or Canadian colleges. The exam is conducted by ACT, Inc., and its duration is 2 hours and 55 minutes where students have to answer 215 questions. The score ranges from 0-36 with no negative marking on unanswered or wrong questions.

ACT Exam includes questions on English, Math, Reading, and Science. This exam is mostly pen and paper based with essay writing being an optional question. The ACT exam fee with writing is ₹15,809 and with essay writing it costs ₹17,929.

One of the major differences between SAT and ACT exam is of science section. Students who want to pursue science-based career path, they prefer to take the ACT exam

Major Purposes of SAT and ACT Exams

Besides being a major requirement to study abroad, if you are wondering what the major purposes of the SAT and ACT exams are, then here is the list for you.

1. College Admission: Besides checking the college readiness, the college admission committee also uses the SAT or ACT exam scores to determine the best suited students for their college or who requires the admission the most.
2. Scholarship Eligibility: Study abroad is an expensive adventure; however, a high SAT or ACT score can help you qualify for merit-based scholarships making your abroad education affordable.
3. Holistic Profile Boost: If you have a lower GPA or overall percentage, with a great SAT or ACT score you can enhance your chances of getting accepted into a college abroad.
4. Globally Accepted: One of the best reasons of taking SAT or ACT exam is that they are globally accepted, giving students the opportunity to get accepted into any university abroad.
5. Course Placement: With the SAT or ACT exam score, the college admission committee can assist you in picking the right courses that will enhance your skills and will boost your career prospects.

SAT vs ACT- A Comparison in Quick Glance

To your ease, here is a simple SAT vs ACT comparison.

SAT vs ACT- How to Register

Now that you know what is the basic difference between SAT and ACT exams, let’s see how you can register for these tests.

SAT Registration Process

Step 1: Create a College Board account

Step 2: Choose a test date and test centre

Step 3: Upload your photo

Step 4: Pay the registration fee

Step 5: Get your admission ticket

ACT Registration Process

Step 1: Create an ACT account

Step 2: Choose a test date and test centre

Step 3: Upload your photo

Step 4: Pay the registration fee

Step 5: Get your admission ticket

How to Choose Between SAT and ACT

After reading the comparison you must have got a hint about both the exams. However, if you are still confused between which exam to pick then here is how you can choose the right exam for you.

SAT vs ACT- Preparation Tips

As you have got all the crucial information about your SAT and ACT exam, it is time for you to see how you can easily prepare for both the exam. So, here are your cumulative tips that will help you prepare for your standardised exams better.

Tip 1: Understand the Exam Format

Irrespective of the exam you are intending to take, it is crucial for you to know the format completely. In SAT Exam the Reading and Writing sections are combined and Math are the only sections that gives you a chance to score up to 1600 marks. Furthermore, in ACT exam the sections include English, Math, Reading, and Science with Writing being an optional part. The total marks to score for ACT is 36.

Tip 2: Take a Mock Test

Before you decide on which test you should take attempt a mock test. This will help you in finding which exam suits your strengths best. By taking a full-length mock test for SAT or ACT will help you understand what kind of questions you will be facing. Furthermore, with the help of a mock test you will also be able to know how you should manage your time, and which one will be easier.

Tip 3: Use Official Material

Now, when it comes to practice or study for your SAT or ACT exam, it is better suggested that you study through official materials. To prepare better for SAT exam, download the official materials from the College Board’s official website. On the other hand, to prepare for the ACT exam, you should refer to the ACT official website.

Tip 4: Use Flashcards and Formulas

Studying for Math and Science segments will be a bit tougher than expected. Instead of losing your strengths and energies in memorising the formulas as it is, try using flashcards and introduce your personal ways to understand the formulas better. Furthermore, to practice for your English, writing, vocabulary, grammar rules, and other things you can use flashcards for easy understanding.

Tip 5: Track your Progress

It is very important for you to know what your weaknesses are and how you are doing better in the same. So, when you start studying for your SAT or ACT exam, you must set a weekly study plan customised as per your strengths and weaknesses. Once you are done studying, take practice tests every now and then to track your progress. It is important for you to brutally judge your progress to become better in your exams. Hence, analyse every mistake deeply and ensure to rectify the same.

Shortlist Your Perfect Exam with MetaApply IE

We believe with the information you’ve go in this blog; you would have got some clarity on your standardised exam confusions. At MetaApply IE, we understand the struggles you go through out your study abroad journey. As it becomes crucial for you to get done with every exam and fulfil every requirement, with MetaApply IE you get personalised guidance at every step. Our team of professionals not only help you find the best suited course, college, or country, but we also help you with visa guidance, loan assistance, and accommodation support.

Along with that, you also get a chance to enrol for exams to study abroad. Whether you need assistance with IELTE or TOEFL exam or with SAT or ACT, we are here to assist you with it all. You can pick batches that suits you the best and with personalised coaching, you can secure your required score.

So, what are you waiting for? Connect with us today!