SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Because colleges accept both the ACT and SAT, it can be had to figure out which test to take. The changes to the SAT in 2016 made the two tests more similar than ever, although there are still some significant differences in content and format between the two tests.

So how can you tell if you'll do better on the SAT or ACT? Drawing on my experience as a 99 percentile scorer on both the SAT and ACT, I'll give you a surefire way to figure out which test will result in the best outcome for you.

You’ve probably heard of the ACT and SAT, but how different are these two tests really? In this extensive ACT vs. SAT analysis, we look at the top 11 differences between the ACT and SAT and explain what these differences mean for you. And to conclude, we give you tips on how to decide whether you should take the ACT or SAT.

For the past decade or so, the SAT has come under increasing scrutiny for its confusing structure, trick questions, and obscure vocabulary. Meanwhile, the ACT is often seen as the fairer test, more closely based in what students learn in school.

So now, as you may have heard, the College Board undertook a radical overhaul of the SAT that went effect in March of 2016 and, in many ways, made it much more similar to the ACT. Adding to the confusion is the fact that ACT, Inc. also made some minor changes to the ACT. 

If you're deciding between taking the SAT and the ACT and you have a tight budget, this guide will help. We'll cover the registration costs, reporting costs, and how you can save money no matter what test you choose.

As a high school student, I took both the SAT and the ACT. I’d been taking the SAT every couple of years since I was in middle school, so I planned to focus primarily on it. However, as a public school student in Colorado, I was required to take the ACT by my school. My scores on the two tests were relatively similar and I ended up submitting both.

Taking both tests, whether because of school requirements or personal preference, has become an increasingly common choice for students, especially those applying to top colleges. Though it isn’t necessary to take both the ACT and SAT, doing so might be the right plan for you. This guide will walk you through the pro and cons of taking both tests.

Both the ACT and SAT subscores provide students with detailed information about their weaknesses and strengths in categories more specific than English, Reading, Math, Science, and Writing (ACT) or Reading, Writing, Math, and Essay-writing (SAT). Understanding the implications of that detailed information, however, can be difficult, due to the sheer number of scores.

In this article, we'll discuss how subscores can be useful to students and whether or not subscores on one test can indicate how a student would do on the other.

The SAT and ACT may both be college entrance exams, but the way they test students on their college readiness is subtly different. Most students will do better on one test than the other, so why would you want to go through the hassle of taking both exams? And is it even feasible to do so? We’ll answer those questions in this article.

Unlike apples and oranges, it is possible to compare the ACT and SAT – though it can be a little bit complicated.

One of the first thoughts you might have after getting your ACT or SAT score back is how well you would have done on the other test. Luckily, SAT to ACT conversion (and ACT to SAT conversion) is possible.

In this post, we'll provide conversion charts from the test makers themselves to help you with score conversions between both the new and old versions of the SAT and the ACT. We'll also learn if certain colleges go easier on either the SAT or ACT – and what you can do about it.

Here at PrepScholar, we get a lot of questions about every aspect of the ACT. To help, we've compiled this ACT FAQ to address all of your questions about the test – whether you haven’t even cracked open a prep book to study for it yet or if you’ve taken it four times and are wondering which scores to send to colleges.

Read on to get the answers to all of your burning ACT-related questions and links to the best articles on our site to help you prepare for the ACT. 

If you put to a vote which math test is easier, the ACT or the SAT, there is going to be heavy contention on both sides. Some will swear up and down (and sideways) that the SAT math section is easier. Others will not be moved by any force in the world away from the position that the ACT math section is the simpler one.

But which faction is right? And more importantly, which test should you take? We’ve broken down the ins and outs of each math test to tell you which is easier, depending on the type of test-taker and math student you are.

So which is better/easier/faster--the SAT math section or the ACT math section? How does each stack up over the course of the entire test? And, most importantly, which math section is right for YOU?

We’ll break down both the similarities and differences between the SAT math vs ACT math and help you decide which standardized test suits you the best.

As an ACT tutor, I often fielded questions about whether the test would be looked down by admissions officers, especially those at Ivy League schools. Because the SAT was the dominant college admissions test for so long, many students and parents worry that — at least in the Northeast — schools still prefer the older test. However, that time has definitely passed, and schools will now accept either test.

Read on for a more in-depth explanation of how Ivy League schools view the ACT and the differences in testing policies that may affect your decision between the tests.

The ACT is getting more popular each year, though it still might not be as popular as the Plastics.

Wondering if having the ACT required in states increases its overall popularity nationwide? And is requiring the ACT the best policy for students?

We’ll discuss the statewide ACT policies and how effective they are nationwide. Also, we’ll tell you how to approach the ACT, whether you’re living in an ACT-required state or not!

If you're graduating in the class of 2017, you may be wondering whether you should study for the redesigned SAT or the ACT. In general, the two tests have gotten much more similar, but there are still a few differences that may sway you towards one or the other.

Normally, I would recommend that you try both tests to determine which is better for you, but there's not yet enough data to to convert a new SAT score to an ACT score. Instead, I've outlined some of the key factors you should keep in mind when deciding which test to focus on and created a quiz that can help you determine which test will be better for you.

Before I get into the specific points about the individual tests, I want to mention to more general points that might affect your decision making.

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 isn't comprehensive, 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 here.