SAT ACT
Why Take It

Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Test Structure
  • Math
  • Reading
  • Writing and Language

Essay (Optional)
  • Math
  • Reading
  • English
  • Science

Essay (Optional)
Length
  • 3 hours (without essay)
  • 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
  • 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)
  • 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages
Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)
Math Covers:

  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra I & II
  • Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis
 Covers:

  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra I & II
  • Geometry and Trigonometry
Tools Some math questions don’t allow you to use a calculator. You can use a calculator on all math questions.
Essays Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text. Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
How It’s Scored Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36