What are the differences between the ACT and SAT?

What are some key differences between ACT tests and SAT's?

• I already took my SAT's, but I feel like I could have done better. Is there any difference between the two? If so, please state how.

• Answer:

  They are very different. The ACT is not tricky and has no vocabulary questions. There is no subtraction for wrong answers on ACT so guess away. On SAT, except for math grid-ins, your score is based on the number right minus 1/4 of the number wrong. On ACT, it is just based on number right. There is usually one trig question on ACT but you can get it right as long as you know what sine, cosine, etc., mean. See www.mathwords.com/s/sohcahtoa.htm The SAT math questions are more like what you might have on a school test. No tricks. The ACT does have a science section but it is not necessary to remember a lot of phylum names or anything like that. Mainly, it is just reading about experiments and reading graphs, etc., and answering questions about them. The ACT is very much a speed test. Do a lot of timed practice tests from official ACT publications and from the ACT website to learn how fast to work and so you know the format. Of course, the SAT is set to change in a couple of years to be more like the ACT. ACT does not draw diagrams for you. Draw your own. Of course, the SAT math drawings are not to scale anyway and can be confusing. The current SAT is great for people with large vocabularies and people good at tricky stuff. The ACT is good for people with broader knowledge in Reading, Math, and Science who can learn to work quickly. Certainly do practice tests before taking ACT or retaking SAT. Make sure that the test are the real thing--from books and booklets directly from ACT or College Board (SAT). Your counselor should have free booklets and your school and library and bookstores near you probably have larger official books. Of course, books are available on-line. Lots of practice stuff and info are at the official on-line sites. https://sat.collegeboard.org/ www.actstudent.org/ Of course the PSAT is a younger version of SAT and EXPLORE and PLAN are younger versions of ACT. If you can take or have taken any of these, you have an advantage. All of these tests are being changed or phased out soon. Good luck. Prep for these tests is not fun, but it totally pays off in college acceptance and in scholarship money as well as bragging rights!