Lets-Compare-SAT-and-ACT-Dates - 2019-2020

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel

Admissions financial aid and scholarships context followed by a side-by-side comparison of SAT and ACT. The material details fee structures, test purpose, content domains, scoring ranges, and optional essay scoring. It contrasts test style and calculator policy, explains scoring methods and typical average scores, and clarifies SAT Subject Tests versus the absence of ACT Subject Tests. The document then lists 2019-2020 ACT test dates with registration deadlines and 2019-2020 SAT and Subject Test dates with deadlines and availability notes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Admissions 􀁺 Financial Aid 􀁺 Scholarships

SAT vs ACT comparison

2019-2020 ACT test dates and deadlines

2019-2020 SAT and Subject Tests dates and deadlines

Admissions 􀁺 Financial Aid 􀁺 Scholarships | | SAT | ACT | | --- | --- | --- | | Fee | General test cost: $47.50 ($64 .50 with essay)
Subject Test Cost: $26 + $22 per test for
*fee waiver may be available | General test cost: $50.50 ($67 with essay)
*fee waiver may be available | | Test Purpose | Focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success | Designed to measure curriculum knowledge and achievement in: English, mathematics, reading and science. Contains analytic and problem solving exercises. | | Test Content and Scoring | Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Includes 1 Reading section and 1 Writing & Language section.
Evidence-based reading and writing: edit and improve passages. Scored from
200—800.
50% of total score
Mathematics 2 sections, includes Calculator and No-Calculator sections.
Numbers & Operations, Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis. Scored from
200—800.
50% of total score
Essay (Optional) Read a passage and write an essay explaining how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience. Scored from 2-8
More about SAT test scoring: | English Includes Punctuation, Grammar Usage, Sentence Structure. Scored from 1-36. 25% of total score.
Mathematics Includes Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Scored from 1-36. 25% of total score.
Reading Reading Comprehension based on multiple passages. Scored from 1-36. 25% of total score.
Science Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation, Reasoning, and Problem-solving Skills required in the Natural Sciences. Scored from 1-36. 25% of total score.
Essay (Optional) Planning and writing a short essay. Scored from 2-12 | | | SAT composite: the sum of your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics scores, out of 1600. The optional essay is not factored into your composite score. | More about ACT test scoring:
ACT composite: the average of the 4 sections from 1-36. The optional essay is not factored into your composite score. | | Test Style Differences | 􀁺 Mostly multiple choice
􀁺 More difficult as test progresses
􀁺 Emphasis on vocabulary
􀁺 No calculator for 1 math section
􀁺 SAT does not have a Science Section, while ACT does | 􀁺 All multiple choice
􀁺 Difficulty remains even throughout test
􀁺 Emphasis on punctuation and grammar
􀁺 All math sections have calculator use
􀁺 ACT has Science Section, SAT does not | | Method of Scoring | Scores based on number of right answers.
No penalty for guessing. | Scores based on number of right answers.
No penalty for guessing | | Average Scores | 500 for each section is considered average. | 17 – 23 is considered average for each section. | | Subject Test (optional) | Separate set of 1 hour tests in: Literature, US History, World History, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Language (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Japanese, Korean) . Please note that only some colleges require SAT Subject Tests. | There are no ACT Subject Tests. Some colleges will use ACT scores to fulfill the subject test requirement. | Last Revised 5.13.2019 602-261-8847 (TTY 602-254-8205) [phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot](phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot) Admissions 􀁺 Financial Aid 􀁺 Scholarships 2019-2020 ACT Test Dates | Test Date | Registration Deadline | | --- | --- | | June 8, 2019 | May 3, 2019 | | July 13, 2019* | June 14, 2019 | | September 14, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | | October 26, 2019 | September 27, 2019 | | December 14, 2019 | November 8, 2019 | | February 8, 2020 | January 10, 2020 | | April 4, 2020 | February 29, 2020 | | June 13, 2020 | May 8, 2020 | | July 18, 2020 | June 19, 2020 | * No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February and July test dates To register online visit: [www.act.org](www.act.org) [Registration Questions:](Registration Questions:) (319) 337-1270 2

FAQs

What are the main differences in test content and scoring between the SAT and the ACT?

The SAT includes Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics, scored 200–800 per section, plus an optional essay. The ACT covers English, Math, Reading, and Science with section scores 1–36 and a composite based on the four sections; an optional essay is not included in the composite score.

How do the SAT and ACT fee structures differ for test registration?

The SAT lists a general test cost of $47.50 ($64.50 with essay) and subject test costs of $26 plus $22 per test, with possible fee waivers. The ACT lists a general test cost of $50.50 ($67 with essay), with possible fee waivers.

Which test has a Science section and what is the calculator policy for math?

ACT includes a Science section, while SAT does not have a Science section. SAT has one math section without a calculator, whereas ACT allows calculator use for all math sections.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel