ACT vs. SAT Reasoning Tests


As you may have heard, the ACT is gaining in popularity on the East Coast. For the most part, colleges and universities accept either test - the ACT or the SAT Reasoning Test — and in some cases, schools will take the ACT in the place of both the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests.

In the end, deciding to take the ACT or the SAT is a personal choice, which should be made by the student after taking a practice test in each. Admissions officers at colleges and universities don’t care which score they receive as long as it’s a good one.

We will help your child decide between the ACT and the SAT at NO COST. Bring your child in today for a FREE PRACTICE ACT and SAT. We will score each test and go over the results with you and your child.
Our professional staff is able to prepare your child for either the ACT or the SAT. Our experience shows that many students prefer the ACT and find the questions more straightforward.

Students who are concerned about the ACT’s Science Section shouldn’t worry — the questions require very little, if any, prior science knowledge. The questions largely test a student’s ability to read and interpret graphs, charts and data tables.

We prepare students through private tutoring or small group classes (maximum 6 students). Both one-on-one and small group instruction is tailored to every child’s ability.
ACT
SAT
Length 3h 25min 3h 45min
Sections English
1x 45min section
Mathematics
1x 60min section
Reading
1x 35min section
Science
1x 35min section
Writing
1x 30min essay
 Critical Reading
2x 25min sections
1x 20min section
Mathematics
2x 25min sections
1x 20min section
Writing
2x 25min sections
1x 10min section
1x 25min essay
Scoring max score = 36
36 = 99th percentile
24 = 75th percentile
20 = 50th percentile
(estimates based on data from ACT website)
no penalty for wrong answers

 max score = 2400
2800 = 99th percentile
1750 = 75th percentile
1510 = 50th percentile
(estimates based on data from College Board website)
deduction for wrong answers
What is measured? Achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. Aptitude test, measuring reasoning and verbal abilities.
More Information about testing:
SAT Subject Tests and AP Exams » (coming soon...)
SSAT and ISEE » (coming soon...)