Sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same. In July 2020, Egypt’s education ministries approved the ACT test as an option for those completing secondary programs in Egypt. Meanwhile in August 2020, after a dramatic cancellation mere hours before a test, testing agency the College Board suspended use of the SAT in Egypt at least through June 2021. So Egypt’s students are still left with one completion test also widely used for U.S. undergraduate admission.
Fortunately, the ACT is a strong and widely accepted test, and one that will present no great shocks for students previously focused on preparing for SAT. What’s different? As an expert provider of both test preparatory courses (ACT and SAT) and student advising, we are happy to share the background you need.
Two Peas in a Pod?
SAT and ACT have the same purpose: to objectively measure college readiness, allowing fair comparison of students from diverse backgrounds. When the ACT was introduced, in 1959, it was intended to provide a more curriculum-based assessment than the SAT, which tried to measure aptitude. However, today the two tests are quite close in content.
Quantitative and English language verbal skills, including ability to analyze data and readings, are the primary focus of both ACT and SAT. Each test lasts around three hours, closer to four if you include the optional essay that some universities want. Right now you would need to take either exam in person at a test center. Both are paper-based tests. (The ACT’s planned move to an online-only format internationally has been delayed by pandemic-related concerns.)
In terms of acceptance, at its start some sixty years ago, ACT was introduced as an option for universities outside the SAT’s founding base of colleges in the U.S. northeast. It was initially used primarily in the U.S. midwest. However, today even on the SAT site you’ll see reported that “all” U.S. universities that require admissions tests will accept ACT as well as SAT. Admissions officers accept the two tests as equally valid.
In their fundamentals SAT and ACT are very similar. Yet each has its own quirks and character. Let’s go over some of these so you can feel more comfortable come test time.
A Scientific Approach
When looking at overviews of ACT and SAT, one difference immediately jumps out. The ACT includes a section labeled as a Science test, while the SAT does not. The 40-question ACT Science section assesses the “interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.”
However, the overwhelming majority of questions in the section do not require specific knowledge in the sciences. Only around three to five questions will require any outside knowledge (introductory study in secondary school should satisfy that). Instead questions generally will give you the information you need to know, asking for interpretation of data provided in graphs, charts, research summaries, and so forth. The SAT has the same types of questions, primarily in its Reading subsection and also in Math.
So having a Science test is not as big a difference as it may at first seem. On the other hand, if you are good at these kinds of questions and would like to see “Science” broken out as a major area making up a quarter of your total score (as opposed to being recorded as a less prominent “analysis in science” subscale on the SAT) then ACT may be the test for you.
Calculating Your Odds
In the quantitative sections, again, we have one obvious difference that is less important that it may seem. However, some less obvious differences will be important to some.
The SAT breaks its Math questions up into a “calculator” section (38 questions that you have 55 minutes to complete) and a “no calculator” section (20 questions, to be competed in 25 minutes). With the ACT, you can use a calculator for all 60 Math questions (which you have 60 minutes to complete).
Content also differs. On the ACT, about 25 percent of the math questions focus on geometry, versus less than 10 percent of those on the SAT. The ACT test also touches on more advanced areas that the SAT does not with a handful of questions involving such areas as matrices, graphs of trigonometric functions, and logarithms. That said, ACT questions tend to be more straightforward than some on the SAT, which tend to require more thought to interpret and solve.
Move Faster vs. More “Trickiness”
Overall, the SAT includes 154 questions versus 215 questions on the ACT. (This does not include the optional essay, for which 50 minutes is allowed by SAT and 40 minutes by ACT.) Fewer questions means you have more time per question with the SAT, and this is the case in every section. See table below for specifics. You’ll have 30 to 40 percent more time per question with SAT than with ACT.
| Question type | SAT time per question | ACT time per question |
| Reading | 75 sec. (52 ques.) | 53 sec. (40 ques.) |
| English/Writing & Language | 48 sec. (44 ques.) | 36 sec. (75 ques.) |
| Math (calculator) | 87 sec. (38 ques.) | 1 min. (60 ques.) |
| Math (no calculator) | 75 sec. (20 ques.) | NA |
| Science | NA | 52.5 sec. (40 ques.) |
| Essay (optional) | 50 min. (1 ques.) | 40 min. (1 ques.) |
On the other hand, you are likely to find some ACT questions less dense and quicker to read than those on the SAT. SAT also has a reputation for “tricky” questions for which it’s easy to be drawn to the wrong answer if you don’t pay close attention to question wording. ACT tends to be more straightforward.
Beyond Content
Of course it’s not just test content that’s important in a test. Be sure you get signed up for a date that meets your need. This is particularly important to take care of quickly at present. Remember U.S. university deadlines are often early! To register for an ACT test date in Egypt, please click here.
Acceptance of results is similarly key. There’s no point in taking a test if you can’t use the scores. As previously mentioned, ACT and SAT are now accepted more or less interchangeably in the United States, but don’t assume that applies to every institution. Always look at the requirements of the specific institutions where you want to send scores. And if score specifics are given, see how they compare. Might the minimum be easier to achieve for one test? Here’s a concordance table showing what the testing agencies consider equivalent scores for the two tests.
In terms of reporting, you can now “superscore” for either ACT or SAT, combining results from different dates you took the test to have admissions officers see only your best scores. However, only ACT at present allows you to re-take only the part(s) of the test you are working to improve. A nice advantage!
More Differences
Here are some additional differences between ACT and SAT:
- Questions about a passage in the SAT Reading Comprehension section are always given in the order that the information appears in the reading passage. Questions on reading passages on the ACT are not in any particular order.
- Similarly, the SAT reading questions often refer students to a particular line in the reading passage. ACT questions do not.
- The SAT sometimes uses reading passages written in the 1800s or even 1700s. ACT generally sticks to more recent material.
- The ACT’s optional essay asks you to discuss perspectives on an issue including your own opinion. In, the SAT optional essay you discuss arguments given in a passage provided to read.
- The SAT provides geometry formulas for you to use. These are not given by ACT. (Remember, however, that SAT has relatively few geometry questions.)
Test Out the Test
Why not try ACT? A free official ACT practice test can be found here with another full test’s worth of questions here (scroll down). At Newton, we are offering an online ACT preparation course, starting in a few days, in preparation for the ACT October test. ACT is also expanding its test prep offerings through ACT Academy.
We Can Help
Want some support getting everything in order, setting time aside, and scoring your best on ACT or SAT? Newton Education Service courses, for ACT or SAT, are ideal. Our approach focuses on improving your quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills. We provide diagnostic testing to pinpoint your needs. You’ll be comfortable with the questions and ready to do well after working with us.
A lot to think about? Well, we’re happy to answer your questions. Just post them in a comment below.
Please contact us now, and we’ll get started. Looking forward to it!