Which Test Is Best For You? ACT or SAT?
More students took the ACT than the SAT for the first time in 2012, ending the SAT’s reign as America’s most popular university-entrance standardized test. Since then, the ACT’s popularity has only continued to grow. This shift toward the ACT was at least partially the result of students often preferring the ACT’s more content-based style of questioning. Many students wanted to avoid the SAT’s more reasoning-based style of questioning that felt quite different from what they typically encountered in the classroom. However, in March 2016, The College Board released a revamped SAT to be more similar to the ACT, further complicating decision-making for college admissions test preparation.
New SAT Format
The SAT has now fully transitioned to a digital, computer-adaptive format with a total of 98 questions. The old paper-and-pencil SAT is no longer offered. In the computer-adaptive SAT, the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the test-taker’s performance, which can make the experience different from a traditional linear test like the ACT. Students should consider how comfortable they are with this adaptive format when deciding between the SAT and ACT.
ACT Changes Beginning in 2025
Currently, the ACT is available in a digital (linear) format only internationally, including in Canada, but it will transition to a digital, computer-adaptive format starting in Spring 2025. This change will apply both in the US and internationally. The paper-and-pencil version will be reintroduced in September 2025. Changes to the school-day ACT will begin in Spring 2026. It’s important to note that we don’t have a school-day ACT in Canada since no province or school requires all its students to take these tests. Additionally, the Science section of the ACT will become optional starting in 2025, providing students with four different versions of the exam to choose from:
- ACT: Core subjects of English, Math, and Reading
- ACT + Science: Includes the optional Science section
- ACT + Writing: Includes the optional Essay
- ACT + Science and Writing: Includes both the optional Science and Essay
Timing and Length Changes
Along with the new formats, the ACT will see changes in the timing and length of sections:
- English: 35 minutes and 50 questions (10 minutes shorter and 25 fewer questions)
- Math: 45 minutes and 45 questions (15 minutes shorter and 15 fewer questions). Answer choices will decrease from 5 options to 4 options.
- Reading: 40 minutes and 36 questions (5 minutes longer and 4 fewer questions)
- Optional Science: 40 minutes and 40 questions (5 minutes longer)
These changes may influence your decision on whether the ACT or SAT is the best choice for you.
Timing: Does it work for you or against you?
The most significant difference between the tests has historically been pacing, with the ACT being faster-paced. Although the new ACT will see some changes in timing, it remains a faster-paced test compared to the SAT. The new SAT’s adaptive format might also impact your experience with timing, as it adjusts question difficulty based on your answers.
- New ACT Math: 45 minutes for 45 questions (vs. 60 minutes for 60 questions currently) compared to SAT’s 44 math questions over 70 minutes.
- New ACT English and Reading: A combined total of 86 questions over 75 minutes, while the SAT offers 54 English questions over 64 minutes.
- If you have extended time accommodations, the timing differences between the ACT and SAT are less impactful.
How do you feel about Science?
With the ACT making its Science section optional in 2025, students who are less confident in their science skills may prefer to skip it. The SAT continues to integrate science-related questions throughout the test. Both the ACT and SAT science-related questions focus on skills like interpreting graphs and charts rather than requiring in-depth scientific knowledge.
Are you comfortable with a computer-adaptive test?
The new SAT’s fully computer-adaptive format means the difficulty of questions changes based on your performance, offering a personalized testing experience. If you are comfortable with this format, the SAT might be a good fit. On the other hand, the ACT will transition from its current digital (linear) format to a computer-adaptive format in 2025, making it similar to the SAT.
The SAT Essay was discontinued in June 2021.
The ACT Essay, or Writing section, will remain optional, even with the new changes in 2025. Test takers who choose the Writing section will continue to develop their perspective on a complex issue, analyze other perspectives, and support their viewpoint with reasoning and examples. The essay will still be scored separately from the composite score.
Digital vs. Paper Format
Starting in April 2025, the ACT will offer a digital, computer-adaptive format similar to the SAT’s current format, but it will retain a paper-and-pencil option starting in September 2025 in the US. Students may prefer one format over the other, so this is an important consideration when choosing between the SAT and ACT. Currently, the ACT is available in a digital (linear) format only internationally, including in Canada.
So, which test is the better choice?
It is a myth that one test is markedly easier than the other. Most students perform similarly on both tests. Making a decision between ACT or SAT for university admissions test preparation depends mostly on your personal preferences as a test taker. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to find out early if you have a clear preference for either test. Switching back and forth between tests or trying to prepare for both simultaneously is not an efficient use of precious test preparation time.
In addition, colleges and universities do not prefer one test over the other. Preparing for the ACT or SAT both require hours of dedicated practice and sustained hard work to master the relevant content and internalize the necessary test-taking strategies. A strong score on either test provides admission officers with the same information since the content and format of the tests are similar. And don’t forget, your standardized test scores are just one part of your university application!
Should you write the ESSAY portion of the ACT or not?
With the Writing section remaining optional, students should carefully consider whether it is necessary for their college applications. Many universities have dropped the essay requirement, and the trend suggests that it may become less important. Frazer Roland of Can-Am Test Prep will continue to offer a 2-day workshop focused on the essay for students who wish to prepare for this section.
Test Information Release (TIR): Students can order the TIR during registration or any time up to five days after the test administration, after which they will receive a copy of the test answers for review after they receive their scores. The TIR costs $20, and there are additional charges to receive a photocopy of the answer sheet or essay, if applicable. The ACT only offers the TIR service in December, April, and June, so students should take advantage of it when can, as it can be a very helpful resource for understanding their scores. For more information, visit the ACT’s TIR page here.
For further information and sample questions for the SAT and ACT, please refer to their websites: