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SAT vs. ACT
SAT vs. ACT
Many students and parents begin the college prep process by comparing the ACT and SAT tests. The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both SAT and ACT scores are used for college for admissions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other, and neither is harder than the other, different students tend to do better on one than the other. The key difference is that the ACT includes a Science section whereas the SAT does not.
SAT
SAT
Register for the SAT online at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
Cost: $68
Test Dates:
September 13, 2025
October 4, 2025
November 8, 2025
December 6, 2025
March 14, 2026
May 2, 2026
June 6, 2026
ACT
ACT
Register for the ACT online at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
Cost: $69 without writing
$94 with writing section
**Students who receive free or reduced lunch qualify for fee waivers. Fee waivers are available in the College and Career Center.**
Registration Tips
Use your personal email
BISD student emails sometimes block email from CollegeBoard and ACT
Use your FULL LEGAL name
If you have two last names, include BOTH of your last names. Colleges will not be able to link your scores to your application if your information doesn’t match.
Have a professional headshot ready to upload. You MUST upload a photo of yourself at the time of registration.
Day of Testing Tips
Bring the following:
Photo ID
Acceptable forms of ID: current school ID, driver's license, passport, state issued identification card
Registration Ticket
Number 2 Pencil
Pencils can not be mechanical
Highlighters are not permitted
Students must turn in ALL electronic devices (cellphones, smartwatches, headphones)
Remember to send your scores to the colleges you are interested in.
If you have questions, please visit the College and Career Center.
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