SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose The Right Test for You (Spring 2025 Edition)

Mar 31

Many students don’t fully consider their options when deciding between the SAT and ACT. Instead, they default to whichever test feels more familiar—whether it’s the one their school promotes, the one their friends are taking, or simply the one they’ve heard the most about.

But this choice can have a direct impact on college admissions. The SAT and ACT, while similar in purpose, differ in content, pacing, and how they measure your strengths as a test-taker. Picking the wrong test could mean leaving points on the table, while choosing the right one could maximize your score and improve your college options.

This guide breaks down the key differences between the tests, addresses common misconceptions, and provides practical steps to help you determine which test is the best fit for you. Taking the time to evaluate your options can make your preparation more efficient and lead to stronger results.

What are the SAT and ACT?

The SAT and ACT are standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. Nearly all four-year colleges accept scores from either test.

Why Do They Matter?

Colleges use SAT/ACT scores to compare applicants and make admissions decisions.
Many schools use them for merit scholarships and academic placement.

While both tests serve the same purpose, they have key differences in content, structure, and pacing, which can make one a better fit than the other depending on the student.

Overall Structure and Timing

Key Changes to the ACT in 2025

• The Science section becomes optional. If taken, it is scored separately and no longer affects the Composite score.
• Time per question increases across all sections.

The transition timeline:

The current ACT (paper-based) remains available through July 2025.
The Enhanced ACT launches digitally in April 2025.
Starting September 2025, both paper and digital versions will follow the Enhanced ACT format.

Main Content Differences

Math: Depth vs. Breadth

SAT Math focuses on depth. It emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of a limited number of topics in Algebra I and II, Geometry and some Pre-Algebra.
SAT Math includes more non-traditional problem types. Some questions require recognizing patterns or using creative problem-solving.
ACT Math covers more breadth. It includes more Geometry and Trigonometry than the ACT, as well as additional topics that are not found on the ACT, like matrices, vectors, and logarithms.
ACT Math is more aligned with high school coursework. The content is tested in a way that’s more similar to what students see in class.
You can use a calculator on both tests, but the SAT also has a built-in graphing calculator, Desmos.

Reading: Deep Comprehension vs. Tracking Facts

SAT Reading requires deeper reasoning and often features more complex language. Passages are shorter, but the questions demand multi-step thinking—you may need to connect information across sentences, interpret subtle shifts in meaning, or apply logical reasoning.
ACT Reading is more about speed and fact-finding. The passages are longer, but many questions are fact-finding questions, meaning the answer can often be found in a single place in the passage without requiring much interpretation.

Science: ACT-Only (But Optional in 2025)

The ACT Science section doesn’t test science knowledge (with some rare exceptions). Instead, it’s about reading charts, graphs, and tables quickly.
The SAT incorporates science-based reading questions. These are scattered across the Reading & Writing and Math sections, but there’s no dedicated science section.
In 2025, ACT Science becomes optional. If taken, it no longer affects your Composite score and is slightly slower-paced (more time per question) than the current ACT Science section.

Pacing Differences

All of the content differences between the SAT and ACT matter, but the single biggest difference between the two tests is speed. The ACT is a significantly faster-paced exam than the SAT, with far less time per question across all sections.

Highlights

The SAT gives you approximately 68% more time per question than the current ACT.

The SAT still provides about 43% more time per question compared to the Enhanced ACT.
Even with the updated timing, the Enhanced ACT remains significantly faster-paced than the SAT.

How to Choose Between the SAT and ACT

Now let’s focus on how to make the best choice between the SAT and ACT. The best way to do this is by looking at real performance data rather than relying on assumptions or generalizations.

Comparing Starting Scores with Practice Tests

The most reliable way to decide between the SAT and ACT is to compare your actual performance on both tests. You can do this in one of two ways:

Take a Full-Length SAT and ACT Practice Test - The best way to determine which test suits you is to take both an SAT and ACT practice test under timed, test-like conditions.
Use Your PSAT or PreACT Score as an Alternative - If you've already taken the PSAT, it can provide a good estimate of your SAT score (at the time you look the PSAT). If you've taken the PreACT, it serves as a good estimate of your ACT score (at the time you look the PreACT).

Once you have your scores, compare them using the official SAT-ACT concordance table below:

How to Interpret This Table

The SAT-ACT concordance table is used by colleges and universities to compare scores between the two exams. It provides an approximate equivalency between SAT and ACT scores.

If your SAT score falls within or close to the range listed for your ACT score (typically within ±20 points of the listed SAT range), your performance is roughly equivalent on both tests.
If your SAT score is significantly lower than your ACT-equivalent score, you should likely stick with the ACT.
If your ACT score is significantly lower than your SAT-equivalent score, the SAT is probably the better choice.

Example Comparisons

A student with a 31 ACT and a 1400 SAT is performing at about the same level on both tests.
A student with a 29 ACT and a 1460 SAT has a noticeable advantage on the SAT relative to the ACT.
A student with a 27 ACT but a 1350 SAT has a noticeable advantage on the SAT.
A student with a 26 ACT but a 1190 SAT has a noticeable advantage on the ACT.

What If Your Scores Are Similar?

For many students, their SAT and ACT scores will be close when converted. Does that mean you should take both tests?

Generally, no.

The SAT and ACT are different enough that preparing for both prevents you from fully optimizing for either.
Most students see better score improvements by committing to one test and refining their approach.

If your scores are similar, here’s how to break the tie:

If Timing Is a Struggle, Lean Toward the SAT.

The ACT’s fast pace is one of its biggest challenges. If you struggled to complete more than 65% of the ACT Reading section on your baseline test, that’s a strong indicator that timing may be an issue across the entire exam. While targeted preparation can help, severe pacing struggles may cap your score potential, making the SAT a better fit for some students.

If You Can Handle ACT Speed, It’s Often the Better Choice.

For most students, speed is the biggest hurdle on the ACT—but if you can keep up, it may be the better choice. The ACT is more rule-based, relying on straightforward application of grammar, math, and reading skills, which can improve with consistent practice. The SAT, by contrast, requires more flexible thinking—especially in math and reading—where problems are often presented in less familiar ways. Because of this, improvement can be more challenging for some students.

Original ACT vs. Enhanced ACT: Which One Should You Take?

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed choosing between the SAT and the ACT as if the ACT were a single, consistent test. However, in 2025, students will actually have two different versions of the ACT available for much of the year—the original ACT format and the Enhanced ACT format. This creates an additional layer of decision-making that students need to consider.

Our recommendation? For as long as possible, students should take the original ACT.

Why Stick with the Original ACT?

The Enhanced ACT, set to launch digitally in April 2025 and fully replace the paper-based ACT by September 2025, introduces several fundamental changes—including fewer questions, longer time per question, and a restructured scoring system. While the ACT states that the test’s difficulty will remain the same, the design of the Enhanced ACT raises concerns that make it a riskier choice for students aiming for a high, predictable score.

1. Score Volatility

One of the biggest concerns with the Enhanced ACT is the reduction in the number of questions per section. The new Reading section, for instance, will have only 36 questions, meaning each individual question will count for more points than in the current test.

Even worse, some of these questions won’t count toward a student’s score—they’ll be “field test questions” used to pilot future test items. If only 27 out of 36 questions actually count, then a single mistake could drop a score by two or more points, creating less stable and more volatile results.

For students, this means:

Less reliable practice test feedback. It will be harder to gauge progress between practice tests and real exams.
Greater score fluctuations. Students may see unexpected drops due to minor errors or test-day variability.
More test attempts may be needed. Instead of reaching a best score in 2-3 tests, students may need 4-5 to smooth out inconsistencies.

2. Limited Prep Resources

Currently, almost all ACT prep materials—including past official exams, practice books, and third-party resources—are based on the original ACT. While test prep providers will adapt over time, students taking the Enhanced ACT in 2025 will have significantly fewer high-quality resources available to prepare.

With fewer practice materials, students face:

Less exposure to real test questions before test day.
More uncertainty about how to study effectively.
A reliance on unproven prep resources that may not reflect the actual test experience.

3. Uncertain Scoring Adjustments

Because the Enhanced ACT features fewer questions and longer time per question, the ACT may need to adjust its scoring to prevent artificial score inflation. This could mean:

Tighter scoring curves that penalize small mistakes more heavily.
More difficulty achieving top scores.
Unpredictable scoring adjustments as ACT refines its new system.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice

While both the SAT and ACT serve the same purpose in college admissions, they assess skills in distinct ways, and choosing the right one can make a measurable difference in your final score.

Rather than relying on assumptions, the best way to make an informed decision is to take a practice test for each (or use your PSAT/PreACT scores) and compare your performance. If one test gives you a clear advantage, that’s your best option. If your scores are similar, factors like pacing, problem-solving style, and available test prep resources should guide your decision.

And for those navigating the transition between the original and enhanced ACT, it’s important to weigh factors beyond just content—such as scoring stability, test availability, and access to high-quality prep materials.

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: choose the test that sets you up for the highest possible score. A little upfront effort in evaluating your options can streamline your preparation, boost your confidence, and give you the best shot at your college admissions goals.

Sam Bellows