All colleges accept the SAT or the ACT for admissions.
We recommend taking diagnostic tests to determine which exam is best suited for a student. Once the student’s practice tests are assessed and evaluated, our tutors and counselors will suggest the most competitive option and create a rigorous tutoring and testing schedule.
The ACT and the SAT are both created to assess the academic development of a high school student and their ability to complete college level work. However, the ACT and the SAT are different exams with distinct timing, overall structure and breakdown per section. It is important to try both exams and avoid choosing between the two exams based solely on speculation.
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Why Take It | Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. | Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. |
| Test Structure | Reading Writing & Language Math | English Math Reading Science Essay (Optional) |
| Length | 3 hours | 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay) |
| Reading | 5 reading passages | 4 reading passages |
| Science | None | 1 science section testing critical thinking skills (no requirement for advanced knowledge) |
| Math Topics | Covers: Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis | Covers: Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry and Trigonometry Statistics and Probability |
| Calculator Policy | Some math questions don’t allow you to use a calculator. | You can use a calculator on all math questions. |
| Essays | N/A | Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues. |
| How It’s Scored | Scored on a scale of 400-1600 | Scored on a scale of 1-36 |