How to Decide Between the ACT and SAT: A Step-by-Step Guide
The journey to college is filled with important decisions, and one of the first major forks in the road is choosing between the ACT and the SAT. For parents, guiding a child through this choice can feel overwhelming, especially with so much information available. You might wonder which test is easier, which one colleges prefer, or which one will give your child the best chance to shine.
The most important thing to know is that all U.S. colleges accept both tests equally. There is no hidden preference. This frees you and your student to focus on a much more critical question: Which test is the right fit for your child's unique skills and learning style? Making the right choice can lead to a higher score, less stress, and greater confidence on test day.
This step-by-step guide will provide a clear framework to help you and your student navigate this decision. By following these steps, you can move from uncertainty to a confident, strategic choice.
Step 1: Understand the Core Differences
Before your child can choose a test, they need to understand what makes them different. While both the ACT and the SAT assess college readiness in core academic areas, they have distinct structures, pacing, and content emphases.
A Quick Comparison: ACT vs. Digital SAT
Here is a high-level breakdown of the key distinctions:
Time and Pacing:
ACT: Known for its rapid pace. It has more questions packed into a similar timeframe, requiring students to work quickly and efficiently. For example, the English section has 50 questions in 35 minutes.
SAT: The digital SAT is adaptive and generally allows more time per question. This can be beneficial for students who prefer a more deliberate approach and want to think through each problem carefully.
Math Content:
ACT: Covers a broader range of math topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. It is entirely multiple-choice and features more questions overall.
SAT: Has a stronger focus on algebra and data analysis. The digital format includes a built-in Desmos calculator available for the entire section and features both multiple-choice and student-produced response questions.
Reading and Writing Sections:
ACT: The Reading test features four long passages, one each from different subject areas. The separate English test focuses on grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills within the context of several essays.
SAT: The Reading and Writing section is now combined. It uses a series of very short passages, often just a paragraph, each with a single question. This format can be less mentally draining for students who struggle with long reading passages.
The Science Factor:
ACT: Now offers an optional Science section that students can choose to take. This section is designed to assess students’ ability to interpret charts, analyze data, and evaluate scientific arguments. It is less about recalling science facts and more about critical reasoning skills.
SAT: Does not have a dedicated Science section but weaves scientific passages and data interpretation questions into the other sections of the test.
Understanding these differences is the foundation for making an informed decision. Discuss them with your child: Does the idea of a faster pace seem stressful? Do they feel strong in geometry, or is algebra their sweet spot?
Step 2: Take Full-Length Practice Tests
Theory is one thing, but experience is everything. The single most effective way to decide between the ACT and SAT is to have your child take a full-length, timed practice test for each. This is the only way to get a true feel for the format, pacing, and mental stamina required for both exams.
Think of it as test-driving a car. You wouldn't buy one without getting behind the wheel first.
Set aside two different weekends and create a realistic testing environment. This means:
A quiet room, free from distractions.
Strictly adhering to the official time limits for each section.
Using only permitted materials (pencil, calculator, etc.).
Official practice tests are available for free on the College Board (for the SAT) and ACT, Inc. websites. Using official materials ensures the experience is as close to the real thing as possible.
Step 3: Compare the Scores and Analyze Performance
Once your child has completed both practice tests, it's time to score them. But don't just stop at the final number. You need to compare the scores using a concordance table. These official tables, created by the ACT and College Board, allow you to convert an ACT score to its SAT equivalent (and vice versa) to see which score is objectively higher.
After comparing the baseline scores, dig deeper into the results. Look at the score report for each test and ask these questions:
Where did you lose the most points? Was it careless errors due to rushing on the ACT, or was it tricky algebra questions on the SAT?
Which section felt like your strongest? Did you breeze through the ACT Science section but struggle with the SAT's short reading passages?
How did you manage the time? Did you finish any sections early, or did you run out of time on multiple sections?
This analysis will reveal patterns in your child's strengths and weaknesses that can point clearly toward one test.
Step 4: Evaluate the Subjective Experience
A test score is just data. Your child's personal experience and comfort level are equally important factors. After the practice tests are done and the scores are analyzed, have a conversation with your student about how each test felt.
Ask them:
"Which test format felt more intuitive or less stressful?"
"On which test did you feel more confident and less anxious?"
"If you had to study for one of these tests for the next three months, which one would you dread less?"
A student who feels more comfortable with a test's format is more likely to stay motivated during the preparation process and perform better under pressure on test day. Sometimes, a slightly lower initial score on a test that "felt better" can be a good choice, as targeted preparation can more easily close the gap.
Step 5: Make a Decision and Commit
You now have all the information you need: an understanding of the test differences, objective score data from practice tests, and your child's subjective feedback. It's time to make a choice.
Review all the data points and decide which test offers the best opportunity for success. In some cases, the answer will be obvious—one score will be significantly higher, or your child will have a strong preference. In other cases, the results may be similar. If so, default to the test that your child felt more comfortable with.
Once you decide, commit to it. The "one-test" strategy is almost always more effective than trying to prepare for both simultaneously. Focusing all your child's energy on mastering one exam allows for deeper learning and more significant score improvement.
How Educational Resources Can Help
Navigating this process alone can be challenging. At Educational Resources, our expert tutors can provide invaluable support every step of the way. We can administer diagnostic practice tests to establish a clear baseline and help you and your child analyze the results in detail. Our team understands the nuances of both exams and can provide a professional recommendation based on your child's unique academic profile.
Once a decision is made, we create a personalized prep plan tailored to your child's target test and specific areas for improvement. Whether it's mastering time management for the ACT or tackling the digital format of the SAT, our proven strategies build the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
Don't let the choice between the ACT and SAT be a source of stress. Let it be the first strategic step toward achieving your child's college goals.
Explore our customized ACT and SAT prep programs today to give your child the expert guidance they deserve.
About the Author: Lindsay O’Brien
Lindsay O'Brien is the active Executive Director of Educational Resources in Louisville, KY. Previously, she spent over 10 years as a teacher before transitioning to tutoring and standardized test preparation.