[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-266365-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-266365-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","sat-vs-act-comparison","SAT vs. ACT Comparison","","This document provides a detailed comparison between the SAT and ACT standardized tests, highlighting key differences in their scoring scales, time limits, question pacing, and specific section content. The SAT utilizes a 2400-point scale and has a maximum duration of 3 hours and 45 minutes, with approximately 62 seconds allocated per question. It features a mandatory essay in the first section, abstract essay topics, no science section, and tricky math questions, including vocabulary sentence completions. Conversely, the ACT is scored on a 36-point scale, takes 3 hours and 25 minutes with an optional essay, and allows about 49 seconds per question. The ACT's essay is optional and serves as the final section, with more practical essay topics. It includes a dedicated science section, some trigonometry and higher-level math, and lacks vocabulary sentence completions, featuring what is described as even drier reading passages than the SAT. The document also notes the SAT's penalty for wrong answers, discouraging random guessing, while the ACT has no such penalty. Additionally, the text promotes MTAT (More Than A Teacher) as an organization offering free SAT and ACT practice tests with immediate scoring, consultation services from test experts, and free, unlimited return privileges for their courses. MTAT assures that their curriculum will adapt to any upcoming test changes, providing students with continuous preparation at no extra cost. A crucial note advises students to carefully read the admission requirements of prospective colleges, as many universities mandate the essay for admission.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/","Exam",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/sat-vs-act-comparison/266365/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/sat-vs-act-comparison/266365.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Đào","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-09-14",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",15,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What is the main difference in scoring scales between the SAT and ACT?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"The SAT uses a 2400-point scale, while the ACT is scored on a 36-point scale, with each test having a different approximate time per question. The SAT averages 62 seconds per question, while the ACT allows about 49 seconds per question.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Does the ACT have a science section, and does the SAT?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Yes, the ACT includes a science section, whereas the SAT does not have a dedicated science section. The SAT focuses more on vocabulary through sentence completions and has trigonometry and trickier math questions, while the ACT includes some trigonometry and more straightforward math questions.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What is MTAT's offering for students preparing for the SAT and ACT?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"MTAT provides free SAT and ACT practice tests with immediate scoring and feedback, free consultations from test experts, and free, unlimited return privileges for their courses, ensuring students can continue preparing without additional cost.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},266365,1789406826,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,88,92,95,100,105,110,115,120,123,127],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":85,"show_sort_weight":86,"slug":87},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":93,"slug":94},70,"exam",{"id":96,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":107,"show_sort_weight":108,"slug":109},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":112,"show_sort_weight":113,"slug":114},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":116,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":117,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":119},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":118,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":121,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":122},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":124,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":124,"slug":126},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":128,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":129,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":130},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":132},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":133,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":33,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":22,"language":140,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":30},1374402968488,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_29158cc5080c5b710cf443261637dec0","SAT vs. ACT Comparison  \n\n| SAT | ACT |\n| --- | --- |\n| 2400 point scale | 36 point scale |\n| 3 hours & 45 minutes | 3 hours & 25 minutes (with optional essay) |\n| About 62 seconds per question | About 49 seconds per question |\n| Minus ¼ point for wrong answers:\u003Cbr>no random guessing! | No penalty for wrong answers: answer every question! |\n| Essay required – first section; 25 min. | Essay optional* – last section; 30 min. |\n| Abstract essay topics (e.g. beliefs, values) | More practical essay topics (e.g. dress codes) |\n| No science section | Science section |\n| No trigonometry | Some trig and other higher-level math |\n| Tricky math questions | More straightforward math questions |\n| Vocabulary sentence completions | No vocabulary sentence completions |\n| Dry reading passages | Even drier reading passages |\n\nNot sure which test to take or when to take them? MTAT offers free SAT and ACT practice tests with immediate scoring and feedback. Call our office for a free consultation from one of our test experts. We'll be happy to answer your questions and help you create a plan.  \nNervous about the upcoming changes to the tests? MTAT offers free and unlimited return privileges for our courses allowing students to keep preparing at no additional cost. Our courses and curriculum will quickly respond to any changes and help you prepare accordingly.  \n* Many universities require the essay for admission. Read your prospective colleges’ requirements carefully.","cbCaivvm5X1BFhfe","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaivvm5X1BFhfe","pdf",197779,"English","# SAT vs. ACT Comparison","[{\"question\":\"What is the main difference in scoring scales between the SAT and ACT?\",\"answer\":\"The SAT uses a 2400-point scale, while the ACT is scored on a 36-point scale, with each test having a different approximate time per question. The SAT averages 62 seconds per question, while the ACT allows about 49 seconds per question.\"},{\"question\":\"Does the ACT have a science section, and does the SAT?\",\"answer\":\"Yes, the ACT includes a science section, whereas the SAT does not have a dedicated science section. The SAT focuses more on vocabulary through sentence completions and has trigonometry and trickier math questions, while the ACT includes some trigonometry and more straightforward math questions.\"},{\"question\":\"What is MTAT's offering for students preparing for the SAT and ACT?\",\"answer\":\"MTAT provides free SAT and ACT practice tests with immediate scoring and feedback, free consultations from test experts, and free, unlimited return privileges for their courses, ensuring students can continue preparing without additional cost.\"}]","SAT vs. ACT Comparison | PDF"]