College Admission Tests

The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. While they serve a similar purpose, they have some differences in structure, content, and scoring. 

SAT:

• Sections:

  1. Reading – comprehension and analysis of written passages.

  2. Writing and Language – grammar, punctuation, and clarity.

  3. Math – algebra, problem-solving, and data analysis.

  4. (Optional) Essay – this section was discontinued in most cases.

• Scoring: The total score ranges from 400 to 1600, combining the Reading/Writing and Math sections.

ACT:

• Sections: The ACT consists of four required sections and one optional section:

  • English – grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.

  • Math – algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics.

  • Reading – reading comprehension across various subjects.

  • Science – interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving.

  • Writing (Optional) – an essay that measures writing skills taught in high school English classes.

• Scoring:

  • Each of the four main sections is scored on a scale of 1 to 36.

  • The composite score is the average of the four section scores.

  • The optional Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2 to 12.

What Are Test-Optional Schools?

Test-optional colleges allow students to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.

• If you submit scores, they’ll be considered.

• If you don’t submit scores, your application will still be reviewed based on:

  • High school GPA

  • Coursework difficulty

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Essays and recommendations