Should I Take the ACT or SAT?

If you’re a junior starting to think about college applications, you may be wondering, “Should I take the ACT or SAT?” Especially since many universities are starting to retract test-optional policies, you’ll need one of these test scores for your college applications—but which do you take?

Generally, it’s a good idea to take both tests to be able to submit your highest score from either; however, there are many reasons why you may need to pick one test over the other. In this article, we cover these pointers in addition to the many factors that’ll help you decide whether to take the ACT or the Digital SAT.

Reasons to Take Either the ACT or SAT (Instead of Both)

It’s generally best to take both the ACT and the SAT. Doing so can give you multiple ways to stand out, easing the burden to develop an otherwise holistic application. This is especially true if you are a non-traditional student whose application has inconsistencies, a low-income student who has struggled to partake in extracurricular activities, or a smart student who has (for whatever reason) struggled in school.

That said, there are some circumstances in which taking just one test will be most beneficial. 

1. Test-Taking May Feel Overwhelming

If you find test-taking situations difficult, adding a second standardized test to your school year to-do list may be a poor choice for your mental stamina and health. Additionally, the SAT and ACT cover different content, are of different lengths, have a different format, and come with different requirements. If test-taking causes you excessive anxiety or stress, then taking two tests could be unsettling enough to get you a lower score on both tests instead of a high score on one. 

2. The Cost of Testing Can be Prohibitive

Both tests offer fee waivers, but if you are not eligible for these waivers or your state/district doesn’t cover the costs of the exam, the cost of taking both tests may be prohibitive. 

As of this writing, the SAT is $60 and the ACT is $66.If you choose to add the writing section of the ACT to your test, the total fee is $91. All told, if you take both full tests, the cost comes to a total of $151. You will also want to take into account whether or not you plan on taking a test prep course or purchasing test prep materials.

3. The Test Dates May Not Work for You

Each test has specific testing dates, and if those testing dates don’t work for your school and/or work schedule, then you may be able to take only one test. Both are typically administered on Saturdays, aside from school-day SAT and ACT testing. (If your school offers ACT/SAT testing on a weekday, take advantage of it!)

4. Your College of Choice is Test-Optional 

If your preferred college is test-optional, this means that the school lets the students decide whether they would like to submit test scores with their application. Test-optional colleges will look at other evidence for admission, including your essays, grades, recommendations, and more.  

If your top choice school is test-optional, it may be tempting to skip taking the ACT and the SAT altogether. However, as we stated before, doing so can create an undue burden to create an otherwise holistic application. You may also wonder, “Do colleges prefer the ACT or SAT?” The answer is no: universities don’t have preference for one exam or the other.

I Can Only Take One Test, So Should I Take the ACT or SAT?

If any of the above situations apply to you, then you’re probably thinking, “Well, should I take the ACT or SAT?” To many, it may seem like the ACT and the SAT must be simply two different sides of the same coin. After all, they are both admissions tests that help students get into colleges and qualify for certain scholarships. 

In reality, the ACT and SAT are quite different—especially due to the SAT’s redesign to a fully digital version for 2024 onwards. To determine which test is best for you, consider whether one test may be required of you, each test’s difficulty and length, your personal academic strengths and weaknesses, and your availability on test dates. 

1. Does Your State Require That You Take the ACT or SAT? 

Certain states require that you take either the ACT or SAT, and your home state may play some part in which test you are statistically more likely to take. A statewide mandated test allows all students to take a college admissions test without charge, often on a school day.

As of July 2024, the following states have ACT/SAT requirements:

Some districts also have their own requirements, so be sure to look into them if it looks like your state requires neither.

2. Which Test is Easier/Harder For You? ACT vs. SAT Pros and Cons

Determining which exam to take depends on your particular academic and test-taking strengths and weaknesses! While the Digital SAT is shorter than the ACT, the ACT is a great way to show off advanced skills. Use the test information below to create your own personal Pros and Cons list.

Content Tested on the SAT vs. ACT

• There is no science section on the SAT. However, there is one on the ACT. If you excel in scientific concepts (such as analyzing graphs and charts or understanding aspects of science experiments).
• The ACT covers more math topics. The SAT won’t test you on topics above Algebra II nor probability and statistics, while the ACT will. On the other hand, the SAT will test you on data analysis—these are the “science” questions on its math portion.
• The SAT comes with a math formula sheet. Both exams permit calculator use, but the ACT is the only one that does not provide a sheet with common formulas.
• There is more reading to be done on the ACT than the SAT. The SAT no longer has five long reading passages; instead, each reading question has a mini-passage no longer than a paragraph. The ACT, on the other hand, has 4 reading and 5 English passages, perfect for avid readers (but not great for those who struggle to focus).
• The ACT has an optional essay section. If you’re an excellent writer who can confidently write an argumentative essay, consider taking the ACT with writing to show off your skills.

ACT vs. SAT Structure 

• The SAT is fully digital; the ACT is on paper. This is the most obvious difference between the two. You’re probably used to completing assignments digitally now, but maybe it’s easier on your eyes to read from a paper, instead. See what works for you!
• The ACT is longer. The SAT is 2 hours and 15 minutes, while the ACT is just under three hours—without the essay.
• Across all sections, the SAT allows almost 70% more time per question. However, keep in mind that some SAT questions (especially on the Hard module) can take longer and be less straightforward.

Overall, the SAT is shorter than the ACT, which requires a faster pace to work through more questions about a wider range of topics. Determine your personal Pros and Cons to help you pick the best test for you!

For example, students that struggle to stay focused for long exams or aren’t confident in their science abilities will probably choose to stick with the SAT. On the other hand, those with experience in science and upper level math courses who don’t mind reading longer passages could excel on the ACT. 

3. Can You Make ACT/SAT Testing In Your Area?

If you can only commit to one testing date, you need to know what the offered SAT and ACT test dates are. These tests almost always occur on a Saturday. (Those with religious exemptions may be able to take the tests on Sundays.)

• SAT test dates are in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June.
• ACT test dates are in June, July, September, October, December, February, and April.

There are many testing dates throughout the year, so you should be able to schedule at least one. Make sure you schedule the test far enough in advance that you have enough time to prepare for it!

What To Do if You Can’t Decide

So you’ve checked your state requirements, made a Pros and Cons list, and looked at your local test dates, but you still aren’t sure which test to take. In this case, we recommend taking Piqosity’s free mini-diagnostic test to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. 

These mini-diagnostic tests are available through our free Community Plan, available after you register with Piqosity. Registration is free, takes less than 30 seconds, and does not require that you submit your credit card information.

What’s Next? ACT or SAT Test Prep!

Now that you can answer the question, “Should I take the ACT or SAT?” with confidence, it’s time to get studying. To get an objective view of your strengths and weaknesses, take Piqosity’s mini-diagnostic test, then check out the ACT or SAT test prep packages. With Piqosity, you can enjoy access to a full course of test prep materials (including over 70 topic lessons and 10+ full-length practice tests) within our personalized prep software. 

Our tools monitor your progress to tell you exactly what you need to practice to reach your desired score. Plus, Piqosity’s Virtual Tutor just got a major update! PVT 2 guides you through a course, suggesting targeted practice based on your schedule, goals, and topic strengths and weaknesses. 

Piqosity’s software emulates the personalized approach of one-on-one tutoring at a fraction of the cost. You can try out all of Piqosity’s features with our free community account. When you’re ready to upgrade, Piqosity’s year-long accounts start at only $89. 

More Test Prep Resources from Piqosity:

• The Digital SAT Format: Easy versus Hard Modules
• Are ACT Scores Correlated to College Success?
• How Long Should You Study for the Digital SAT?
• The Importance of Retesting & Taking Multiple Practice Exams
• How to Improve Reading Comprehension Skills for Standardized Tests