With the start of the second semester rapidly approaching, many students are preparing to take the SAT and/or ACT. For seniors who are about to apply to colleges, it is very important that you complete one of these tests, as it is a requirement for most colleges and looks good on your part if you get a high score. It is a good idea for high schoolers preparing to graduate to take at least one of these tests. However, there are key differences between the two that are important to know.

First of all, and most importantly, the two tests are graded differently. Ms. Thomas, Cass’s student career supervisor, explains how each is graded. “On the SAT, the highest you can get is 1600 out of both parts, …there’s the reading and writing section, and then…the math section. You can score up to 800 on each section.”  Both of these tests are time-consuming, as the SAT includes a 64-minute reading and writing section and then a 70-minute math section. This brings the SAT’s test time to about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Ms. Thomas continues, “The ACT is out of 36 points [with four sections.]” The ACT is typically longer, as it has more sections. The ACT includes a 35-minute reading section, a 45-minute English section, a 60-minute math section, and a 35-minute science section. There is an optional 40-minute writing test, however, Ms. Thomas advises you to take that only if a college(s) requires a writing score for you to apply. Without the writing section, the ACT has a relative test time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. Given this information, the ACT is not very generous timewise. You have less time for each individual question and have less time to go back and check your answers. Keep this in mind when deciding for yourself which test to take. As mentioned by Ms. Thomas, the ACT is scored 1-36 and the score for each section is averaged and added together to get your final score.

Given all this information, you may still be on the fence about which test to choose. Ms. Thomas says, “Think about the type of learner you are, then look at the two tests and see what types of questions they’re asking and see which one suits your learning and study styles the best.”  To help you compare the two and figure out which test is right for you, there are practice tests available to take online! To find them, visit the links below: 

ACT practice: Free ACT Practice Test | ACT

For SAT practice tests, find the Bluebook app on your school laptop (you should already have it downloaded) and you’ll have to log in with your College Board account. See a teacher/counselor if you have any questions. 

Ms. Thomas heavily emphasizes the fact that both tests are different, and every student is going to have a different experience. “Do your research. Look at both tests to see which one you think would fit you best, because they are two different kinds of tests, but they are both equal for colleges to accept.” If you are still on the fence about which test to choose, or simply need help signing up or studying, go talk to your school counselors! Ms. Thomas is also available if you have any questions about college or your career in general. You can see her in the Career Lounge right next to the counselor’s offices. All of these people will absolutely be willing to help you and are great resources. Once you figure out which test is right for you, signing up for either test is very simple. 

To register for the SAT, you’re going to want to have a College Board account. Through the College Board website, you can easily find where to register. You’ll have to answer a lot of questions about what you’re planning on majoring in, and the classes you’ve taken or are going to take, and then as soon as you finish those questions, it will ask you to pay and ask you to upload a photo of yourself. The ACT is very similar, however, it has a separate website and you’ll have to make an account with the ACT’s website as well. 

These links will send you straight to the sign-ups for each test:

ACT: ACT Registration | ACT Testing Dates | The ACT Test

SAT: SAT Registration – SAT Suite | College Board

Here you can find dates and locations for tests being given in your area: 

SAT Test Center Search – SAT Suite | College Board

The ACT Test Center Locator | ACT (ACT dates will be confirmed once you register)

Once you’ve decided which test to take and sign up, you might be wondering, “How do I study? There’s so much material to cover and I don’t know where to start.” Students here at Cass who have taken both tests are here to help! Chatlie Hernandez, a current senior who has taken the SAT twice, suggests checking out SAT workbooks from either Cass’s library or the Bartow County public library. Hernandez also says, “The College Board [website] actually provides practice tests for you to do. So, I just did a bunch of those and saw what I needed to learn more from those.” Another Senior, Mackenzie Cornett, who has taken both the SAT and ACT suggests simply refreshing your memory on certain aspects. Specifically for math, she says “I always recommend studying trigonometry, of course, but a lot of the test is basic algebra, so you definitely have to practice up on that.” Cornett adds, “I talked to teachers a lot, especially like my math teachers. I was like, ‘Hey, I know that this specific study is covered. What are some formulas or equations that I need to memorize?’ And of course, just studying vocabulary really helps, especially with reading sections and science, specifically. Read the charts, and make sure you know your numbers. That’s the biggest thing.” 

Even social media can help you figure out where to start studying. Hernandez went on to say, “Even TikTok’s a great source to use.” You can find videos all over the app explaining the basics of certain problems, and other study tips coming from students just like you! There are also numerous videos on YouTube that walk you through example questions. Another great resource is Khan Academy.  Hernandez continues, “I think people kind of overlook the fact that there’s…so much stuff on YouTube that can help [like] testing strategies [and] explaining things. I recommend going with a more holistic (broad) approach towards it, not using just one thing, but a bunch of different things.” Connor New, a junior who has taken both the ACT and SAT says, “For me, the ACT was definitely a lot easier, and I got [much] better score on it. But I think for some people, the SAT [would be easier.] I think it definitely depends on your skills. If you can comprehend stuff better and make inferences, you’ll probably do better on the SAT.” He says that the ACT is more straightforward and points out that students who are better at memorization would do better on the ACT instead of on the SAT. 

With that being said, it is still very dependent on your individual skill set. It is crucial that you do your own digging (which you’re doing now by just reading this article, look at you go!) and determine for yourself which test would be better. It is also very important to look at a few of the colleges you are considering going to and look at their requirements to apply. Do they require the ACT over the SAT or the other way around? Do they require you to take the optional writing portion of the ACT? Answer these questions and from there, talk to your teachers and counselors about which one would be best for you! Think about the classes you’ve struggled with in the past and which ones you’ve done well in order to help you figure out what you need to study. Use all the resources and tips that other students have recommended, and maybe even figure out some of your own strategies! Testing can be stressful, but there are a ton of resources around Cass to help you prepare. Use those resources, do your research, and you’ll do great!