ACT vs SAT: Choosing the Right Test (2025-26)

Choosing between the ACT and the SAT matters more than ever now that the SAT is fully digital and the ACT offers both paper and online versions. Both tests are accepted at every U.S. college, but they differ in length, section mix, and testing tools. This guide distills official information from ACT and College Board to help educators, tutors, and test-prep institutes steer students toward the best-fit exam.

Choosing between the ACT and the SAT matters more than ever now that the SAT is fully digital and the ACT offers both paper and online versions. Both tests are accepted at every U.S. college, but they differ in length, section mix, and testing tools. This guide distills official information from ACT and College Board to help educators, tutors, and test-prep institutes steer students toward the best-fit exam.

Choosing between the ACT and the SAT matters more than ever now that the SAT is fully digital and the ACT offers both paper and online versions. Both tests are accepted at every U.S. college, but they differ in length, section mix, and testing tools. This guide distills official information from ACT and College Board to help educators, tutors, and test-prep institutes steer students toward the best-fit exam.

ACT vs SAT at a Glance

ACT vs SAT at a Glance

Feature
ACT (standard paper/online)
ACT (standard paper/online)
Digital SAT

Total testing time

Total testing time

2 h 55 m multiple-choice (+ 15 m break); add 40 m essay for 3 h 35 m (ACT)

2 h 55 m multiple-choice (+ 15 m break); add 40 m essay for 3 h 35 m (ACT)

2 h 14 m adaptive digital test (SAT Suite)

2 h 14 m adaptive digital test (SAT Suite)

Sections

Sections

English, Math, Reading, Science, optional Writing (ACT)

English, Math, Reading, Science, optional Writing (ACT)

Reading & Writing, Math (two adaptive modules each) (SAT Suite)

Reading & Writing, Math (two adaptive modules each) (SAT Suite)

Delivery mode

Delivery mode

Paper or online (most U.S. dates still paper) (SAT Suite)

Paper or online (most U.S. dates still paper) (SAT Suite)

Digital only, worldwide (SAT Suite)

Digital only, worldwide (SAT Suite)

Scoring scale

Scoring scale

1-36 per section → composite 1–36 (ACT)

1-36 per section → composite 1–36 (ACT)

400-1600 total (200-800 per section) (ACT)

400-1600 total (200-800 per section) (ACT)

Calculator policy

Calculator policy

Allowed entire Math; user supplies device (ACT)

Allowed entire Math; user supplies device (ACT)

Built-in Desmos graphing calculator for all Math (SAT Suite)

Built-in Desmos graphing calculator for all Math (SAT Suite)

Length per Question (avg.)

Length per Question (avg.)

~55 s (Math), 36 s (English), 52 s (Reading) (ACT)

~55 s (Math), 36 s (English), 52 s (Reading) (ACT)

Adaptive; ~70 s RW, ~78 s Math (SAT Suite)

Adaptive; ~70 s RW, ~78 s Math (SAT Suite)

Science emphasis

Science emphasis

Dedicated 40-question section (ACT)

Dedicated 40-question section (ACT)

Embedded data-analysis questions only (SAT Suite)

Embedded data-analysis questions only (SAT Suite)

Paper option

Paper option

Yes (national dates) (ACT)

Yes (national dates) (ACT)

No (digital only) (SAT Suite)

No (digital only) (SAT Suite)

Key Differences Explained:

Key Differences Explained:

1 Test Length & Pace

  • The ACT’s four multiple-choice sections run 2 h 55 m with one 15-minute break (ACT).

  • The digital SAT is shorter at 2 h 14 m and adaptive, so time per question varies (SAT Suite).

  • Students who prefer fast pacing may lean SAT; those who want more sectional variety may choose ACT.

  • The ACT’s four multiple-choice sections run 2 h 55 m with one 15-minute break (ACT).

  • The digital SAT is shorter at 2 h 14 m and adaptive, so time per question varies (SAT Suite).

  • Students who prefer fast pacing may lean SAT; those who want more sectional variety may choose ACT.

2 Science & STEM Signals

ACT includes a separate Science section—valuable for STEM-oriented applicants (ACT). The SAT assesses data interpretation within its RW and Math modules.

ACT includes a separate Science section—valuable for STEM-oriented applicants (ACT). The SAT assesses data interpretation within its RW and Math modules.

3 Calculator & Math Content

SAT offers a built-in Desmos calculator; ACT requires students to bring their own but permits use throughout Math (ACT) (SAT Suite).

SAT offers a built-in Desmos calculator; ACT requires students to bring their own but permits use throughout Math (ACT) (SAT Suite).

4 Digital vs Paper Flexibility

SAT is 100 % digital; ACT still provides paper tests alongside expanding online dates (ACT). Students with tech concerns may prefer ACT’s paper option.

SAT is 100 % digital; ACT still provides paper tests alongside expanding online dates (ACT). Students with tech concerns may prefer ACT’s paper option.

5 Score Concordance

ACT & College Board publish an official concordance table to translate scores across scales (ACT), letting counselors compare outcomes objectively.

ACT & College Board publish an official concordance table to translate scores across scales (ACT), letting counselors compare outcomes objectively.

Decision Framework for Educators

Decision Framework for Educators

  1. Run a Diagnostic:

Use LearnQ.ai to auto-generate a 30-minute blended diagnostics, one for ACT-style test, another one for SAT-style test, to capture baseline scores, detailed accuracy, mastery & time management analysis.

  1. Check Content Strengths:

  • Strong math & data-analysis? → ACT advantage (Science + faster math).

  • Concept mastery with tech tools? → SAT advantage (Desmos, shorter test).

  1. Confirm College Requirements

Some state scholarships still cite minimum ACT composites; a few tech schools prefer SAT Math subscores.

  1. Consider Testing Accommodations

ACT supports English-learner aids on every national date (ACT), while SAT offers built-in screen readers in Bluebook (SAT Suite).

ACT supports English-learner aids on every national date (ACT), while SAT offers built-in screen readers in Bluebook (SAT Suite).

Download: ACT-SAT Concordance PDF

Download: ACT-SAT Concordance PDF

Taken straight from ACT official website (link)
Taken straight from ACT official website (link)

Ready to Deliver Smarter ACT Prep Online?

Ready to Deliver Smarter ACT Prep Online?

Ready to Deliver Smarter ACT Prep Online?

See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your ACT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.

See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your ACT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.

See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your ACT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one test easier?

Is one test easier?

Is one test easier?

Is one test easier?

Will colleges prefer digital SAT over ACT?

Will colleges prefer digital SAT over ACT?

Will colleges prefer digital SAT over ACT?

Will colleges prefer digital SAT over ACT?

How long are scores valid?

How long are scores valid?

How long are scores valid?

How long are scores valid?