| The ACT and the SAT are the two major college | | | | you. |
| admissions exams for U.S colleges and universities. If | | | | The ACT covers trigonometry in the math section, |
| you are interested in pursuing a college degree, you | | | | while the SAT does not. The major sections of the |
| will likely need to take one of these exams. So which | | | | ACT include the English, math, science, and reading |
| one should you take? | | | | sections with an optional essay. The SAT includes a |
| Most colleges and universities accept either one, but | | | | critical reading, math, and writing section. An essay is |
| the ACT may be slightly more accepted by the | | | | mandatory with the SAT. However, the SAT does |
| majority of 4-year programs. The major differences | | | | not include a science section. Therefore, if you are |
| between the two exams include; the number of | | | | stronger in writing essays than in science, the SAT |
| times they are administered per year, the topics they | | | | may be the test for you. Alternately, if science and |
| cover, and whether or not there is a penalty for right | | | | more advanced math are your strong suits, then the |
| or wrong answers. | | | | ACT test may be a better fit for you. |
| Let's get into the specifics of these three major | | | | Lastly, the SAT will give you a penalty for wrong |
| differences. | | | | answers. This means if you do not know the answer |
| As to the number of times they are administered per | | | | to a question, you may be better off leaving it blank |
| year, the SAT is usually administered a little more | | | | than guessing. In contrast, you will not be penalized |
| often than the ACT. In the 2006-2007 test year, the | | | | for wrong answers in the ACT. |
| SAT will be offered 7 times while the ACT will only | | | | As you can see, there are a number of differences |
| be offered 6. Clearly, this difference is really not | | | | between the ACT and SAT exams. It is best to |
| much of a reason to choose one over the other. | | | | analyze your strengths and weaknesses before |
| With a little planning, you should be able to fit taking | | | | deciding which of these college admission exams you |
| either the ACT or SAT into your schedule. | | | | plan to tackle. In addition, make sure to check the |
| The test topics between the ACT and SAT, | | | | requirements of the colleges you are planning to |
| however, are quite different. The tests are different | | | | apply to. |
| enough that this may be the determining point for | | | | |