ACT vs SAT

Hey guys! Ever wondered what standardized test you should take? Here is a quick overview of some key factors and a quick quiz to help you! 

ACT	SAT
$67 with essay/$50.50 without essay	$64.50 with essay/$49.50 without essay
You can send your test to 4 schools for free, additional tests cost $13 each plus taxes.	You can send your test to 4 schools for free, additional tests cost $12 each plus taxes.
Sections:	Sections
Time and # of questions: Science: 35 min/40 questions Math: 60 min/ 60 questions English:45 min/75 questions Reading: 35 min/40 questions Essay:40 min./ 1 prompt	Time and # of questions: Reading: 65 min/ 52 questions Writing and Language: 35 min/ 44 questions Math without calculator: 25 min/ 20 questions Math with calculator: 55 min/ 38 questions Essay: 50 min/ 1 prompt
Scale: 1-36 Essay: 2-12	Scale:400-1600 Essay:2-8
Accepted by all colleges and universities in the US	Accepted by all colleges and universities in the US
Key difference: The Science section.	Key difference: The no calculator math section
Type of math: ACT has a much larger focus on geometry, which makes up about 35-45% of ACT Math. The ACT also tests a few concepts that the SAT doesn’t test at all. These include things such as matrices, graphs of trig functions, and logarithms.	Type of math: geometry accounts for less than 10% of SAT Math questions.Trigonometry makes up less than  5% of the SAT test. The ACT and SAT both have a big emphasis on algebra.
There are 11 states that require the ACT: Alabama Hawaii Kentucky Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada North Carolina Utah Wisconsin Wyoming	These states 10 require the SAT: Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Illinois Maine Michigan New Hampshire Rhode Island West Virginia
On ACT Reading, questions can flow randomly and do not routinely follow the order of the content in the passages.	On SAT Reading, all questions given to you follow a chronological order—that is, in the order of the passage to which they refer.
My score: 28 without essay Science: 26 Math: 27 English: 28 Reading: 29	My score: 1160 with essay Evidence based readig: 630 Math:530 Essay: 6

I personally did way better on my ACT than my SAT. On a conversion scale my ACT score would be a 1310 on the SAT. I increased my score by over 100 points and yes I did study but honestly for me it was just that the test was easier than the SAT so it is all about finding the right test for you.

Statement	Agree	Disagree
I struggle with geometry and trigonometry.
I am good at solving math problems without a calculator.
Science is not my forte.
It’s easier for me to analyze something than to explain my opinion.
I normally do well on math tests.
I can't recall math formulas easily.
I like coming up with my own answers for math questions.
Tight time constraints stress me out.
I can easily find evidence to back up my answers.
Chronologically arranged questions are easier to follow.

 source: Prepscholar 

Now, count up your check marks in each column to find out what your score means.

Mostly Agrees — The SAT is your match!If you agreed with most or all of the above statements, the SAT is what you've been looking for. With the SAT, you'll have more time for each question and won't need to deal with a pesky science section or a ton of geometry questions.

Mostly Disagrees — The ACT's the one for you!If you disagreed with most or all of the statements, you'll most likely prefer the ACT over the SAT. On the ACT, you'll never have to come up with your own answers to math problems, and you get to let your opinion shine in your writing.

Equal Agrees and Disagrees — Either test will work!If you checked "Agree" and "Disagree" an equal number of times, either the ACT or SAT will suit you. Unless you decide to take both, I suggest taking official ACT and SAT practice tests (as described in #1 above) to see which test's format you're ultimately more comfortable with.