ABOUT THE SAT AND ACT
ACT? SAT? What are the differences and how should we choose?
SUMMARY: SAT
Reading and Writing Module 1: 27 questions; 32 minutes (vocab in context; grammar; reading comp)
Reading and Writing Module 2: 27 questions; 32 minutes
10 minute break
Math Module 1: 22 questions; 35 minutes (pre algebra, algebra, data analysis, geometry, a little trig)
Math Module 2: 22 questions; 35 minutes
The second module of each section varies depending on the student’s performance in the first module
Students now have an online calculator for the entire math module
Score is out of 800 per section, 1600 total and is based both on difficulty of second module generated AND accuracy within both modules
SUMMARY: ACT
ACT is now offered in two formats: online (computer based test) and pencil and paper; students use a calculator for the entire math section
Score: 1-36
English: 45 minutes; 75 questions (grammar, reading comprehension)
Math: 60 minutes; 60 questions (pre algebra, algebra, geometry, only 4 trig questions)
--10 minute break—
Reading: 35 minutes; 40 questions (reading comprehension)
Science: 35 minutes; 40 questions (NOT content, rather charts and graphs proficiency)
MORE ABOUT THE SAT
The SAT drastically changed in early 2024.
The test is now completely digital, including use of the built-in calculator called DESMOS. From start to finish, the SAT takes less than 2.5 hours. The test consists of two modules of Reading and Writing and two modules of Math, with a 10 minute break after the Reading and Writing modules.
The SAT is adaptive by module. Meaning, the first module of each subject averages at medium difficulty (a generally even spread of easy, medium, and hard questions). How a student scores on the first module determines both the difficulty and the final score range. So, scoring fewer points on the first section produces an easier second section—also capping the final score well below 1600. Scoring more points on the first module produces a more difficult second module and raising the floor of the final score well above 400.
The Reading and Writing modules consist of mainly stand-alone short passages. Like the ACT, the SAT tests basic grammar and punctuation concepts that are no longer commonly taught in schools. Students will also see short passages with related graphs that test data analysis skills.
The Math modules cover concepts familiar to most students, however, those concepts are tested in confusing and unfamiliar formats. These parts of the test are mostly equation based. Equations are tested as expressions to be calculated, as algebra to be solved, and as conceptual relationships to be identified or solved for. As we continue to learn more about the new SAT, we’ve found that the most difficult math is increasingly conceptual and abstract. For instance, some free-response questions cannot be solved by finding a specific number but by finding the limit of a range of numbers.
MORE ABOUT THE ACT
The ACT is available in its current form until September 2025. We’ll discuss upcoming changes to the ACT further below.
The ACT is a paper and pencil test that takes about 4 hours to complete its four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science. Students can use a calculator during the Math test. Overall, the ACT is designed to be hard to finish in the allotted time.
Each section is scored on a 1-36 scale and the composite score is the average of the four subscores. The national average composite score is a 21. Students can submit a “super score” to colleges—the average of their best subscores from multiple test dates.
The English test covers basic grammar and punctuation concepts that are not commonly taught in schools. The Math test is predominately geometry based, with concepts up to trigonometry that most students will be familiar with. However, those concepts are often presented as long word problems and in technical language. The Reading test consists of four long passages that students often find boring. Besides being difficult to complete in the time given, the Reading test challenges students who have been taught to interpret texts. Instead, the ACT requires a very literal understanding of the passages. Lastly, the Science test contains six passages that require students to interpret charts, graphs, and figures. Contrary to popular belief, the Science test does not require particular knowledge of scientific facts but a general understanding of scientific thinking and pattern recognition.
The new ACT 2025—what we know as of October 2024.
The new ACT will be available as an option for students beginning April 2025. The test will somewhat mimic the new SAT in that it will be digital and much shorter—about 2.5 hours. Additionally, the Science test will become optional, just like the Writing test. So far, everything else looks to be about the same as the existing ACT. We’ll be following closely the updates from ACT as they are released!
PRACTICE TESTS
Take a practice SAT
Like the ACT, College Board provides a series of free, full-length practice tests that you can self proctor at any time. Download the tests, answer sheets, and scoring guides.
Take a practice ACT
All prep should begin with a baseline score to help the student set realistic goals and to help Sara identify individual strengths and weaknesses. ACT provides a free, full-length practice test that you can self proctor at any time. Download the Preparing for the ACT PDF.
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