Jump to a section
ACT vs SAT at a glance
| ACT (Enhanced) | SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Core testing time | 2 hr 5 min | 2 hr 14 min |
| Optional sections | Science, Writing (40 min each) | None |
| Format | Paper or digital | Digital |
| Adaptive? | No, same questions for everyone | Yes, the second module adjusts |
| Score range | 1 to 36 Composite | 400 to 1600 total |
| Base fee | $70 | $68 |
ACT details are from ACT's comparison page and ACT fees. SAT details are from College Board's SAT structure page and BigFuture.
How the tests are built
SAT: two sections, Reading and Writing (64 minutes, 54 questions) and Math (70 minutes, 44 questions), each split into two modules, with a 10-minute break. The second module gets harder or easier depending on how you did on the first (College Board). College Board also notes a built-in graphing calculator for Math (BigFuture).
ACT: English (35 minutes), Math (50) and Reading (40), with optional Science and Writing at 40 minutes each (ACT test format). ACT describes its test as linear, meaning every student gets the same questions (ACT). Details are in how the shorter ACT works.
Pacing
College Board gives the SAT's pace as 1 minute 22 seconds per question (BigFuture). On the Enhanced ACT, English is about 42 seconds per question and Math and Reading about 67 seconds, calculated from ACT's section times. How long the ACT takes has the full breakdown.
Comparing scores across the two tests
The official way to compare an ACT and SAT score is the concordance table ACT and College Board published together (ACT/SAT concordance).
| ACT Composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 36 | 1590 |
| 35 | 1540 |
| 34 | 1500 |
| 33 | 1460 |
| 32 | 1430 |
| 31 | 1400 |
| 30 | 1370 |
| 29 | 1340 |
| 28 | 1310 |
| 27 | 1280 |
| 26 | 1240 |
| 25 | 1210 |
| 24 | 1180 |
| 23 | 1140 |
| 22 | 1110 |
| 21 | 1080 |
| 20 | 1040 |
| 19 | 1010 |
| 18 | 970 |
| 17 | 930 |
| 16 | 890 |
| 15 | 850 |
This SAT figure comes from the ACT/SAT concordance tables that ACT and the College Board released in 2018. ACT says the tables aren't updated every year, and they were published before the Enhanced ACT changed how the Composite is calculated. Use it as a close guide, not an exact match.
For example, a 31 ACT lines up with about 1400 on the SAT, so neither score is clearly "better" than the other. To convert any score in either direction, down to ACT 9, use the ACT to SAT converter.
How to choose
- Take a timed practice test of each. Score your ACT practice test, then compare using the concordance above.
- Weigh the format. If you prefer paper or a fixed set of questions, the ACT offers both. If you like having a built-in calculator on every math question, that's an SAT feature.
- Check costs and dates. ACT's base fee is $70 and the SAT's is $68 (see ACT cost and fee waivers).
What other guides say
One pattern stood out in published summaries: several still describe the ACT as a roughly three-hour, fast-paced test, which reflects the legacy format. ACT's own page lists the Enhanced core test at 2 hours 5 minutes (ACT). Both test makers agree colleges don't prefer one test (College Board).
Frequently asked questions
Do colleges prefer the SAT or the ACT?
No. College Board says colleges don't have a preference, and ACT says both tests are equally accepted at all accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
Is the SAT harder than the ACT?
Neither test maker says one is harder. They differ in format: the SAT is digital and adaptive, while the ACT is linear, offered on paper or digitally, and has optional Science and Writing.
Is a 1400 SAT or 31 ACT better?
They're about equal. On the official 2018 concordance, a 31 ACT lines up with 1400 on the SAT.
Is a 1550 SAT or 35 ACT better?
They're very close. The 2018 concordance lines up a 35 ACT with 1540 on the SAT, just below 1550.
How long is the SAT compared with the ACT?
The SAT takes 2 hours 14 minutes. The Enhanced ACT takes 2 hours 5 minutes for English, Math and Reading, plus 40 minutes each for optional Science and Writing.
Related guides
Sources and how this page is built
How this page is built
Research current as of:
Cedrick Reese wrote this comparison for TutoringForAct.com from both test makers' own pages: ACT's ACT vs SAT page, test format page and fees, and College Board's SAT structure page and BigFuture comparison. SAT equivalents come only from the official 2018 ACT/SAT concordance and carry the site's standard caveat. The page is rechecked whenever either test maker changes its format, timing or fees.
Sources
- ACT vs. SAT (ACT)
- SAT vs. ACT (College Board BigFuture)
- ACT Fees (ACT)
- SAT structure (College Board)
- The ACT test format (ACT)
- ACT/SAT Concordance (ACT)
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. ACT policies, fees and score tables change; check ACT.org before you register or apply.