TL;DR:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, everything (from test dates to test format) is so uncertain, it might pay to be prepared to either take both the SAT & ACT or study for the test you haven’t been previously studying for, depending on where you are in the process.
If you’re a Sophomore, go through the diagnostic process, choose a test, and just get started!
If you’re a Junior and you still don’t have your test scores, talk to your Academic Advisor about whether prepping for both tests or switching tests makes sense to you.
All of our LP tutors are fluent in both the SAT and the ACT, so they can help you prepare for both tests– without you having to disrupt your schedule/tutor relationships.
No matter what happens, we’re here to support you and make sure you’re on the right track.
Should I consider prepping for both the ACT & the SAT?
It’s a very common question, but these days, with test cancellations and shifts online, there’s another whole layer to the discussion. Normally, we suggest that students prep for one test or the other (not both simultaneously), because while the content of each test is very similar, the strategy, approach, and question styles can be quite different. During the COVID-19 pandemic, everything (from test dates to test format) is so uncertain, it might pay to be prepared to take either test, depending on where you are in the process.
IF YOU ARE A SOPHOMORE:
Our hope is that things will be back to normal by spring testing of 2021 at the latest, so for you, our recommendation hasn’t changed:
While the tests share a lot of content, the way in which they test you on the content can be quite different, so if you have time to let the world settle back to normal, it makes sense to just pick one, get a head start, and stick with it.
How to pick which test? More details about the differences between the tests below, but above all, our diagnostic process allows you to try both of them out, determine which you’re more comfortable with and which you have greater potential taking.
IF YOU ARE A JUNIOR WITHOUT YOUR IDEAL TEST SCORES YET:
It might make sense to dip a foot in both SAT and ACT waters, just so you’re prepared for whatever unfolds this fall. This advice depends on how much progress you’ve made on the test you’ve been working with so far and how easily you’re able to adapt your strategies to a new test format. We recommend the following:
Talk to your Academic Advisor and tutors about your progress so far and how well they think you might be suited for taking the other test.
Take a diagnostic test to see what you need to work on/how different your comparative scores are (and also to see how comfortable the other test feels to you).
While prepping for both tests isn’t our normal recommendation, given how uncertain the future is right now and how quickly things can change, it can’t hurt to be prepared. All of the LP tutors are fluent in both the SAT and the ACT, so they can help you simultaneously prepare for both or make the switch to prep for the other test (without you having to disrupt your schedule/tutor relationships).
Why are our recommendations different now, in the light of COVID-19?
At this moment in time, all the information that we have is subject to change, including test dates and test format (i.e. online vs on paper, in a testing center vs at home). Here’s what we know as of right now (and you can always check our COVID-19 blog for more complete updates to standardized tests and admissions processes)
TESTING DATES:
ACT is still holding tests in June and July, but will probably make cancellations on a regional basis (AKA it’s not a guarantee that your test center will definitely be open over the summer, although it might be).
SAT is holding one test per month from August-December (AKA they’ve added a September test date to their normal testing schedule).
TEST FORMAT:
ACT has said they’ll develop an at-home testing option in late fall/early winter.
SAT has said they’ll develop an at-home testing option if normal test administrations are still not possible in the fall.
That said, ACT has broader experience with Computer-Based Tests, as they went CBT-only for all international test administrations in September 2018, and they were already prepared to roll out CBTs for students that wanted them in the states starting this September (2020).
We (and our international students) can attest to the fact that there were quite a few kinks in the system in the fall of 2018 that the ACT needed to work out (and took some time to do so). It’s not clear that the CollegeBoard has had such a broad opportunity to “test-run” whatever online-testing system they’ll be using.
If you are an international student: Assuming test centers return to normal operations, keep in mind that the SAT is on paper and the ACT is only available in CBT form. With international travel likely to be restricted to at least a certain extent for the foreseeable future, testing in the US in order to take the ACT on paper likely will not be an option.
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
Beginning this fall for students taking the test in the US, the ACT is still rolling out its section retesting, at least as of right now. This is an advantage for students who might need a better score on just one or two sections, but already have scores they want on the others. Read more about the ACT changes coming in the fall here.
If a student still needs their ideal ACT/SAT score and also wants to take the Subject Tests to show colleges their mastery of specific subjects, prepping for the ACT opens up more test date opportunities. For example, if you’re taking the Subject Tests in August, you can’t also take the SAT in August. That said, if you take the ACT in July or September, you can simultaneously prep for the Subject Tests in August or October.
So what are the main differences between the SAT & the ACT?
IN A NUTSHELL:
The SAT is wordier, has more challenging reading passages, requires a little bit more reasoning, problem-solving, & pattern recognition on the math. Additionally, you have more time on each section.
The ACT is more straightforward with easier reading passages. Additionally, you have less time on each section.
Generally, we find that students who naturally do well on the SAT are strong readers; they are not only better equipped to unpack the more-difficult reading passages, but their reading skills also help them to understand SAT Math word problems (which are somewhat more conceptual and wordy than the ACT Math word problems).
SEQUENCE:
The SAT starts with Reading, then Writing (grammar), then Math without Calculator, then Math with Calculator.
The ACT starts with English (grammar), then Math, then Reading, then Science.
SECTIONS:
READING:
ACT: The ACT eases you into the test nicely, but many students become test-fatigued by the time they get to the speed-and-focus-intensive sections (Reading and Science) in the second half of the test.
SAT: Having the Reading section first can be helpful for some students. The section requires lots of attention, and it can be good to get it out of the way first. For others who have a hard time getting into the Reading section, having it first thing (without any other section to warm them up first) can be really challenging.
MATH:
ACT: The ACT has more geometry. It’s helpful on both tests to have some mental-math skills– on the ACT because of speed. There are also some specific question-types on each test to get used to, but the difficulty-level is not hugely different.
SAT: The SAT has more emphasis on linear functions. It’s helpful on both tests to have some mental-math skills– on the SAT because of the no-calculator section. There are also some specific question-types on each test to get used to, but the difficulty-level is not hugely different.
SCIENCE:
ACT: The ACT has an entire section dedicated to interpreting graphs and figures. The skills necessary to interpret these graphs are present on both tests, but the ACT has more questions related to them (and under greater time pressure).
SAT: The SAT incorporates graphs and figures into the Reading section. The skills necessary to interpret these graphs are present on both tests, but the SAT has fewer questions related to them.
READING:
ACT: The ACT is more predictable (always 4 passages in the same order - Literary Narrative, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science), and passages tend to be from the 20th/21st centuries.
SAT: The SAT is less predictable (5 passages, first is fiction but the sequence of the passages following varies; there’s always one Great Global Conversation/US Founding document passage [from 18th-19th centuries] which tends to be difficult for students, one Social Science passage, and two science passages. Two of these passages have figures associated with them and one of these passages is a double-passage, but which topics have these features (and what order they’re in) varies from test to test. The SAT also has paired evidence-based questions, which tend to be challenging for students.
ESSAY SECTION:
ACT: The ACT Writing section is comprised of a persuasive essay that has to incorporate/address given perspectives; generally about a topic relevant to current high school students. The ACT Writing section is “optional”, but recommended by LogicPrep– especially in case you’re applying to a school that requires it.
SAT: The SAT Essay asks you to answer a DBQ (document-based question), which means the student must read a passage and then analyze what techniques/structure/evidence the author uses to make his/her point. The SAT Essay is “optional”, but recommended by LogicPrep– especially in case you’re applying to a school that requires it.
SIMILARITIES:
The grammar (SAT Writing/ACT English) sections are almost identical.
Math content overlaps quite a bit, even though it does have slightly different focuses on the different tests.
Strong reading comprehension and working under some time pressure is necessary for both tests.
The skills necessary to interpret graphs are present on both tests, but the ACT has more questions related to them (and under greater time pressure).
While there are test-specific strategies that differ, particularly with specific types of questions on each test, general standardized test practices apply to both:
Use the process of elimination.
Don’t spend too much time on any single question.
Trying to put yourself in the test-maker’s position, asking yourself, “what are they trying to test me on here?'“
Therefore, the prep you do for one test, even if not DIRECTLY analogous to the other test’s content, is still a helpful experience.
No matter what choice you decide, the LogicPrep team is here to support you. Reach out today to talk to an Academic Advisor about your test prep plans.