ACT prep

SAT vs ACT

The digital SAT is 98 questions in 2 hours 14 minutes. The enhanced ACT is 131 questions in 2 hours 5 minutes, plus an optional Science section. Here's how they differ, and a simple way to choose.

By , founder of Ashore · Updated · Sources at the bottom of the page

The two tests side by side

Digital SAT and enhanced ACT compared
Digital SATEnhanced ACT
SectionsReading and Writing, then MathEnglish, Math, Reading, then Science (optional)
Questions98131 (171 with Science)
Testing time2 hours 14 minutes2 hours 5 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes with Science)
Time per questionReading and Writing 71 sec, Math 95 secEnglish 42 sec, Math 67 sec, Reading 67 sec, Science 60 sec
AdaptiveYes: your second module in each section is easier or harder depending on the firstNo: the same questions from start to finish
CalculatorAllowed on all of Math, Desmos built inMath only; online testers get Desmos built in
FormatDigital, at a test centerPaper or online, at a test center
Scores200–800 per section, 400–1600 total1–36 per section; the Composite averages English, Math and Reading
Wrong answersNo penaltyNo penalty

Testing time leaves out breaks. Sources: College Board, how the SAT is structured and how scores are calculated; ACT, enhanced ACT FAQs, calculator policy, ACT vs SAT and understanding your scores.

How to choose

Take one full, timed practice test of each. Both are free: Bluebook practice tests for the SAT and the practice test in ACT's Preparing for the ACT. Score them, convert the ACT result with the official table and go with the higher one.

Pay attention to pace, too. If you ran out of time on the ACT but not the SAT, that's a real difference: the SAT gives you more time per question, the ACT asks more of them. Science on the ACT is optional now, so it's no longer a reason to avoid it.

Convert ACT and SAT scores, score an ACT practice test or score an SAT practice test.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

Neither is easier across the board. The SAT gives you more time per question; the ACT has more, shorter questions and an optional Science section. The quickest way to find out which suits you is a timed practice test of each.

By Marteen Tang · Founder of Ashore

Marteen Tang founded Ashore and works on its SAT and AP lessons, practice and plans. Updated .

Sources

  1. 1. College Board: how the SAT is structured
  2. 2. College Board: how SAT scores are calculated
  3. 3. College Board: SAT dates and deadlines
  4. 4. ACT: enhanced ACT FAQs
  5. 5. ACT: ACT vs SAT
  6. 6. ACT: calculator policy
  7. 7. ACT: understanding your scores
  8. 8. ACT and College Board, 2018 ACT/SAT Concordance Tables

Whichever test you pick

SAT prep on Ashore is open now. ACT prep is coming soon; join the waitlist and we'll email you once when it opens.

Join the ACT waitlistSee SAT prep

When ACT prep opens, it's part of the same plan as SAT and AP, at the same price. The score guarantee covers the SAT only.

Practice test 1

Example

27

Composite
(28 + 26 + 27) ÷ 3

  • English28
  • Math26
  • Reading27
  • ScienceOptional, not in the Composite25