[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-266753-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-266753-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-test-comparison","SAT vs. ACT - Test Comparison","","SAT vs. ACT comparison outlining core timing, scoring, section structure, and question style. SAT runs 3 hours (3 hours 50 minutes with essay) with 400-1600 scoring across evidence-based reading and writing, math, plus an optional essay; it lacks a science section. ACT lasts 2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with essay) with 1-36 scoring across English, math, reading, science, plus an optional essay. Content differences and pacing influence which exam may fit a student best, with guidance to take diagnostic tests and consider AJ Tutoring’s prep.",{"@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-test-comparison/266753/",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-test-comparison/266753.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Aladdin","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-28","2026-09-14",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",13,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"How long are the SAT and ACT, including the optional essay?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"The SAT is 3 hours (3 hours 50 minutes with the essay). The ACT is 2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with the essay).","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"What are the scoring ranges and section formats for the SAT and ACT?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"SAT scores range from 400 to 1600 with 3 sections: evidence-based reading and writing, math, and an optional essay. ACT scores range from 1 to 36 with 5 sections: English, math, reading, science, and an optional essay.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What content and question-style differences may affect which test is better for a student?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"SAT has no science section and math focuses on algebra 2 and statistics, while ACT includes a science section and more geometry and trig in math. SAT questions are generally more sophisticated, whereas ACT questions are more straightforward but faster-paced.","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},266753,1789411233,{"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":26,"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":96},2336478503145,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","SAT vs. ACT   \nColleges accept both tests equally. So which test is the right one for your student? With the recent changes to the SAT, the two tests are more similar than ever-with a couple  \nmajor differences.  \nLENGTH  \nThe SAT is 3 hours long.  \n(Including the essay, 3 hours and  50 minutes.)  \nThe ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. (Including the  \nessay, 3 hours and 35 minutes.)  \nSCORING & FORMAT  \nSAT scores range from 400 to 1600.  \n3 sections: evidence-based reading and writing, math, optional essay.  \nACT scores range from 1 to 36.  \n5 sections: English, math, reading,  science, optional essay.  \nQUESTION STYLE  \nSAT questions are generally more sophisticated and require more  thought to answer.   \nACT questions are more  straightforward (but the test is  much faster-paced).   \nCONTENT  \nThe SAT doesn't include a science section. Math questions test algebra 2 and statistics concepts.  \nThe ACT has a science section (no outside knowledge required). Math includes more geometry and trig than the SAT does.  \nMany students perform similarly on the SAT and ACT. However, for some students one test is much better than the other. It makes sense to try both tests to maximize your chances of getting your best score possible. At a minimum, consider taking diagnostic SAT and ACT tests and then comparing scores to see which test is a better fit.  \nIf your student is interested in preparing for his or her tests with AJ Tutoring, we offer free diagnostic tests at our office. Please call (650) 331-3251 for more information!  \n[www.ajtutoring.com |](www.ajtutoring.com |) (650) 331 3251 | (408) 345 5200 | (415) 419 8786  \nSAT-ACTConcordanceTable  \nSAT Total (400 1600)  \n1600  \n1590  \n1580  \n1570  \n1560  \n1550  \n1540  \n1530  \n1520  \n1510  \n1500  \n1490  \n1480  \n1470  \n1460  \n1450  \n1440  \n1430  \n1420  \n1410  \n1400  \n1390  \n1380  \n1370  \n1360  \n1350  \n1340  \n1330  \n1320  \n1310  \n1300  \n1290  \n1280  \n1270  \n1260  \nACT Composite  \n(1 36)  \n36  \n35  \n35  \n35  \n35  \n34  \n34  \n34  \n34  \n33  \n33  \n33  \n32  \n32  \n32  \n32  \n31  \n31  \n31  \n30  \n30  \n30  \n29  \n29  \n29  \n29  \n28  \n28  \n28  \n28  \n27  \n27  \n27  \n26  \n26  \nSAT Total (400 1600)  \n1250  \n1240  \n1230  \n1220  \n1210  \n1200  \n1190  \n1180  \n1170  \n1160  \n1150  \n1140  \n1130  \n1120  \n1110  \n1100  \n1090  \n1080  \n1070  \n1060  \n1050  \n1040  \n1030  \n1020  \n1010  \n1000  \n990  \n980  \n970  \n960  \n950  \n940  \n930  \n920  \n910  \nACT Composite  \n(1 36)  \n26  \n26  \n25  \n25  \n25  \n25  \n24  \n24  \n24  \n24  \n23  \n23  \n23  \n22  \n22  \n22  \n21  \n21  \n21  \n21  \n20  \n20  \n20  \n20  \n19  \n19  \n19  \n19  \n18  \n18  \n18  \n18  \n17  \n17  \n17  \nSAT Total (400 1600)  \n900  \n890  \n880  \n870  \n860  \n850  \n840  \n830  \n820  \n810  \n800  \n790  \n780  \n770  \n760  \n750  \n740  \n730  \n720  \n710  \n700  \n690  \n680  \n670  \n660  \n650  \n640  \n630  \n620  \n610  \n600  \n590  \n580  \n570  \n560  \nACT Composite  \n(1 36)  \n17  \n16  \n16  \n16  \n16  \n15  \n15  \n15  \n15  \n15  \n14  \n14  \n14  \n14  \n14  \n13  \n13  \n13  \n13  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n12  \n11  \n11  \n11  \n11  \n11  \n11  \n11  \nDevelopingatesting planforyourstudent   \nFor most students, freshman and sophomore year should be focused on academics and exploring academic and extracurricular interests. By the end of junior year, students should have completed a full round of testing: the PSAT in October, the SAT and/or ACT in the spring, and 2-3 SAT subject tests as appropriate. Students can then retake the SAT or ACT in the fall of their senior year.  \nAJ Tutoring offers a comprehensive 9-session SAT or ACT prep that covers all content and strategies students need to do their best on the test. After completing the full SAT prep, students often meet with their tutors for 3-4 additional sessions to prepare for the ACT. Our tutors also support students with prep for the PSAT, SAT subject tests, and AP exams, as well as their academic coursework.  \n 2016-17 Testing Dates   \nSan Mateo | San Carlos | Woodside | Menlo Park | Palo Alto | Los Altos | Saratoga | Los Gatos | San Jose  \nSAT Oct. ","cbCaijNHQQqzKOR3","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaijNHQQqzKOR3","pdf",249869,"English","# Test Length\n## SAT vs ACT duration (with essay)\n# Scoring & Format\n## SAT sections and score range\n## ACT sections and score range\n# Question Style and Content\n## Difficulty and pacing\n## Science and math content differences\n# Testing Strategy and Tutoring\n## Diagnostic testing and retake timing\n## AJ Tutoring prep and session options\n# 2016-17 Testing Dates","[{\"question\":\"How long are the SAT and ACT, including the optional essay?\",\"answer\":\"The SAT is 3 hours (3 hours 50 minutes with the essay). The ACT is 2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with the essay).\"},{\"question\":\"What are the scoring ranges and section formats for the SAT and ACT?\",\"answer\":\"SAT scores range from 400 to 1600 with 3 sections: evidence-based reading and writing, math, and an optional essay. ACT scores range from 1 to 36 with 5 sections: English, math, reading, science, and an optional essay.\"},{\"question\":\"What content and question-style differences may affect which test is better for a student?\",\"answer\":\"SAT has no science section and math focuses on algebra 2 and statistics, while ACT includes a science section and more geometry and trig in math. SAT questions are generally more sophisticated, whereas ACT questions are more straightforward but faster-paced.\"}]","SAT vs. ACT - Test Comparison | PDF"]