SAT or ACT: Which Test is Best for
You?
|
|
ACT |
SAT |
|
Length |
3 hours,
25-minutes (including the 30-minute optional Writing Test) |
3 hours, 45-minutes |
|
Sections |
4 test
sections (5 with the optional essay, known as the Writing Test) |
10 sections |
|
Areas Tested |
English,
Math, |
Critical |
|
Reading (ACT)/ Critical |
4 reading
comprehension passages, 10 questions per passage |
Mix of
reading comprehension and sentence completion questions that require
vocabulary expertise |
|
Science |
Science
(analysis, interpretation, evaluation, problem solving) covered |
Science not
included |
|
Math |
Math
accounts for ¼ of the overall score.
Topics coved: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry (4 questions) |
Math
accounts for 1/3 of the overall score.
Topics covered: Basic Geometry and Algebra II |
|
Essay |
Last part of
the test (optional), 30-minutes Not included
in composite score |
First part
of the test, 25-minutes Factored
into overall score |
|
Scoring |
Total
composite score of 1-36 (based on average of 4 tests) 4 scores of
1-36 for each test Score of
0-12 for the optional essay |
Total score
out of 2400 3 scores of
200-800 for each section 2 sub-scores
of 2-80 for writing multiple choice and 0-12 for the essay |
|
Wrong Answer Penalty |
No wrong
answer penalty |
¼ point per
wrong answer (except for math grid-in question) |
|
Sending Score History |
You decide
which score is sent |
Your entire
score history will be sent automatically |
Information
from Kaplan Publishing