ACT, SAT, CLT: Which Test Should You Take?
ACT, SAT, CLT: Which Test Should You Take?
As high schools open this month there are many seniors who are getting ready to take their college entrance exams. After a hiatus in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic most colleges are again requiring college entrance exams to be admitted. These tests are important for high school seniors because scores are tied to financial aid packages. The better a student performs on the test the more aid is available to them.
First, I want to highlight a new test that has been getting popular each year since it was first launched. The Classical Learning Test (CLT) was created in 2015 as an alternative to the SAT and ACT and is used mostly by small, private religious schools. Over 200 schools now accept the CLT. The nice thing about the CLT is that it is an online test (cost $54) and you get your results in 24 hours. Also, you can send the test to as many colleges as you choose for no additional charge. The CLT has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section has 40 questions and there is an optional essay at the end. The CLT takes two hours to complete (without the essay). The CLT is scored 0-120 and the score for the essay is separate.
Most students opt to take the ACT or SAT. But the question has always been asked “Which is better?” I don’t think that it really matters which one you take because the two tests aren’t that different. Both are recognized by all colleges in the United States so there is no advantage taking one over the other. Also, they both measure the proficiency of students in critical skill areas such as problem solving and reading comprehension which are necessary for a student to be successful in college. However, there are differences between the tests that may play to your strengths and weaknesses.
Both exams contain similar sections (Reading, Math), have an optional essay section, and you are not penalized for incorrect answers. Each test also contains passage-based Reading and English/Writing questions (called “English” on the ACT and “Writing and Language” on the SAT).
But even with those similarities there are many ways in which the ACT and SAT are different. The differences start with the length of the tests (the SAT is longer) and the number of questions and time limits are also different. Below are the differences.
Total Time: ACT 2 hours 55 minutes without Writing 3 hours 35 minutes w/writing
SAT 3 hours without Essay 3 hours 50 minutes w/Essay
Order of Sections: ACT- English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional)
SAT- Reading, Writing/Language, Math (no calculator), Math (calculator), Essay (optional)
Time per Section: ACT-English (45 min), Math (60 min), Reading (35 min), Science (35 min),
Writing (40 min/optional)
SAT-Reading (65 min), Writing/Language (35 min), Math (25 min/no
calculator), Math (55 min/calculator), Essay (50 min/optional)
Total questions: ACT- English (75), Math (60), Reading (40), Science (40), Writing
(1 essay/optional)
SAT-Reading (52), Writing/Language (44), Math (20/no calculator),
Math (38/calculator), Essay (1 essay/optional)
Scoring: ACT – Score Range: 1-36 Each section uses a scale of 1-36 and the total
score is the average of the four sections. The optional writing section uses a scale of 2-12 and does not count toward your final score.
SAT – Score Range: 400-1600 The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
(EBRW) and Math Sections each use a scale of 200-800 and are combined
for a total score. The Essay (optional) use three separate scales of 1-8 and
does not count toward your final score.
Cost: ACT - $46/without Writing, $62.50/with Writing
SAT - $47.50/without Essay, $64.50/with Essay
Acceptance: ACT: Accepted by all colleges in the United States of America
SAT: Accepted by all colleges in the United States of America
These are not the only differences between the tests. Below are some of the key differences.
1. The SAT gives you more time per question than the ACT particularly on the Math section.
2. Another major difference is that the ACT contains a Science section, and the SAT does not. Science will constitute ¼ of your total score on the ACT. So, if you do great in Science, the ACT may be the test for you.
3. The SAT has a Math section where you may not use a calculator whereas, on the ACT you can use a calculator. If you don’t like the thought of solving equations without a calculator, the ACT may be the test for you.
4. The ACT and SAT both have a big emphasis on algebra, but the ACT has a larger focus on geometry.
5. The SAT provides the student with a diagram of math formulas, but the ACT does not. This means that for the SAT you don’t have to memorize the formulas but for the ACT you must.
6. On the ACT, Math accounts for ¼ of your total score. On the SAT, Math accounts for ½ of your total score. So, if Math is not your strong subject it might be wise to take the ACT.
7. Both tests are multiple choice on the Math section. However, the ACT Math section gives you five possible answers as opposed to four possible answers on the SAT.
8. The ACT has only multiple-choice answers on the Math section whereas the SAT has a total of 13 Math questions where you must write-in the answer.
9. Lastly, Essay content is different on both tests. On the SAT you must read and analyze a given passage based upon the author’s argument using evidence and reasoning. On the ACT you’ll read a short passage about an issue and then analyze the different perspectives and give your OWN opinion on the issue.
So which test is right for you? The best way to determine this is to take an official practice test given by both. But you must also consider your state’s requirements. Some states (14) require the ACT (AL, HI, KY, LA, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NC, SC, UT, WI, WY) and some states (8) require the SAT (CO, CT, DE, DC, IL, ME, MI, NH).