The SAT and the ACT are both recently underwent updates: the ACT got a new writing test and some minor content tweaks, while the SAT was fully redesigned.
With all this change, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. I've created some simple charts that outline the basic differences in structure and content for the new SAT vs the ACT.
This post is more of an overview than a detailed side-by-side comparison, however, so for a more in-depth discussion of the differences between the updated versions of the two tests, you should take a look at our full breakdown of the SAT vs ACT here.
Image: Zach Stern/Flickr
General Test Structure
As you'll see in the chart below, the redesigned SAT is radically streamlined—there are now only four sections and the scoring has returned to the original 400-1600 (instead of the 600-2400 scale used from 2005-2015). The wrong answer penalty has also been eliminated.
The ACT format, meanwhile, is essentially the same. The essay is slightly longer, however.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Total Time |
3 hrs (plus 50 min for essay) |
2 hrs 55 min (plus 40 min for essay) |
|
Number of sections |
4 plus essay |
4 plus essay |
|
Sections |
Reading: 65 min Writing and Language: 35 min Math (No calculator): 25 min Math (with calculator): 55 min Optional essay: 50 min |
English: 45 min Math: 60 min Reading: 35 min Science: 35 min Optional essay: 40 min |
|
Scoring |
Two section scores, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (includes Reading and Writing and Language) and Math, on a 200-800 scale combined for a total score from 400-1600 |
Four section scores scaled from 1-36 averaged for a composite from 1-36 |
|
Wrong answer penalty? |
No |
No |
Reading
Since the new SAT includes only long passages and the ACT recently added paired passages, the two tests' reading sections have become much more similar.
Nonetheless, there are still some major differences in the types of questions they ask: the evidence questions on the redesigned SAT are especially different from ACT reading questions.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Time |
65 min |
35 min |
|
Format |
4 single passages and 1 pair, 10-11 questions each |
4 passages, potentially including 1 paired passage, 10 questions each |
|
# of questions |
5 passages, 52 questions |
4 passages, 40 questions |
|
Time per passage/question |
13 min/75 sec |
8 min, 45 sec/53 sec |
|
Passage types |
1 U.S. or World Literature, 2 History or Social Studies, 2 Science |
1 Prose Fiction or Literary Narrative, 1 Social Sciences, 1 Humanities, 1 Natural Sciences |
|
Question types |
Main Idea, Vocab-in-Context, Inference, Evidence Support, Data Reasoning, Technique, Detail-Oriented |
Main Idea, Vocab-in-Context, Inference, Detail-Oriented |
|
Key skills |
Reading comprehension, inferring ideas, identifying evidence |
Reading comprehension, inferring ideas, locating details |
SAT Writing and Language/ACT English
SAT Writing and Language (formerly SAT writing) is the other SAT section that the redesign made markedly more similar to its ACT equivalent. The College Board ditched Identifying Sentence Errors and the rest of its unique question styles for an ACT-style passage structure.
However, the new SAT writing section still doesn't include the big-picture organization and main idea questions that the ACT English section does.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Time |
35 min |
45 min |
|
Format |
4 passages, 11 questions each |
5 passages, 15 questions each |
|
Total # of questions |
44 questions |
75 questions |
|
Time per passage/question |
8 min, 45 sec/48 sec |
9 min/36 sec |
|
Content |
Standard English Conventions: 20 questions (45%), covering sentence structure, conventions of usage, and conventions of punctuation Expression of Ideas: 24 questions (55%), covering development, organization and effective language use |
Usage and Mechanics: sentence structure (20-25%), grammar and usage (15-20%), and punctuation (10-15%) Rhetorical Skills: style (15-20%), strategy (15-20%), and organization (10-15%) |
|
Key Skills |
Understanding grammar rules, expressing ideas clearly, connecting sentences logically |
Understanding grammar rules, connecting sentences logically, recognizing overall structure and argument |
Math
The redesigned SAT math section focuses on a limited set of topics, primarily algebra. The diminished presence of geometry sets the new SAT math section apart from the one on the ACT, which is still roughly a third geometry and trigonometry questions.
Redesigned SAT math also includes a no-calculator section, a significant number of data analysis problems, and simpler wording for questions.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Time |
80 min |
60 min |
|
Format |
Divided in to two sections No calculator: 20 questions (4 grid-ins), 25 min With calculator: 38 questions (9 grid-ins), 55 min |
1 section, all questions multiple choice |
|
Total # of questions |
58 questions |
60 questions |
|
Time per question |
No calculator: 75 sec With calculator: 87 sec |
1 min |
|
Content |
Heart of Algebra — 33% Problem Solving and Data Analysis — 28% Passport to Advanced Math — 29% Additional Topics in Math — 10% |
Pre-algebra — 20-25% Elementary algebra — 15-20% Intermediate algebra — 15-20% Coordinate geometry — 15-20% Plane geometry — 20-25% Trigonometry — 5-10% |
|
Key Skills |
Doing simple calculations without a calculator, translating word problems, analyzing data |
Memorizing formulas, translating word problems, working quickly without making errors |
Science
The redesigned SAT still doesn't have a separate science section, but it does include science questions in all three of the other sections.
Those questions are primarily focused on reading charts and graphs, while ACT science tests a wider range of skills.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Time |
N/A |
35 min |
|
Format |
No specific section, 2 passages in reading (21 questions), 1 passage in Writing (6 questions), and 8 questions in Math |
~7 passages, with 5-7 questions each |
|
Total # of questions |
35 questions |
40 questions |
|
Time per passage/question |
Varies by section |
5 min/53 sec |
|
Content |
Varies by section |
Data Representation — 30-40% Research Summaries — 45-55% Conflicting Viewpoints — 15-20% |
|
Key Skills |
Understanding scientific ideas, reading charts and graphs |
Doing simple calculations without a calculator, reading charts and graphs, analyzing experimental design |
SAT Essay/ACT Writing
The ACT writing section (the essay) is the one part of the test that's undergone major changes. You're still presented with an issue and asked for your opinion on it, but you're also given three perspectives on the topics and asked to analyze them.
The new SAT essay, on the other hand, is more similar to the type of papers you write in English class: the prompt asks you to read and analyze a persuasive essay.
|
|
New SAT |
ACT |
|
Time |
50 min |
40 min |
|
Optional? |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Format |
Presented with an essay or article and asked to analyze the author's argument |
Presented with 3 viewpoints on a topic and asked to analyze those ideas as well as argue for your own perspective |
|
Grading Critera |
Writing, Reading, and Analysis |
Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions |
|
Scoring |
Given a score from 2-8 for each dimension |
Score from 1-12, based on average of scores from the four domains |
What's Next?
If you still have questions about the redesigned SAT, check out our full breakdown of the changes to the test.
Still not sure whether to take the SAT or the ACT? Check out our quiz!
And if you are planning to take the new SAT, don't panic! Take a look at these five reasons the changes aren't as big of a deal as you might think and get an early start on preparing with our preliminary study guide.
