<p>For those of you who have taken both, I'm wondering (hoping) is the math on the SAT easier than the math on the ACT? I'm just really bad at math (27 ACT), and I heard that the math on the SAT is easier. I'm honestly not really sure exactly where my weak spots are in math, but I haven't taken Trig, and I'm bad at just seeing a problem and knowing what formulas to use. I'm better at solving things unconventionally, but obviously there's no time for that on the ACT. And you have more time on the SAT right? So do you think I'll do better on the SAT math?</p>
<p>I found SAT math to be much easier. I always manage to finish the SAT math portions in time (I’ve taken the SAT twice), but I had to rush through the last…what, eight questions for ACT math. I suck at math too (26 ACT), so I feel your pain.</p>
<p>I think that SAT math is based more on logic and reasoning, while ACT math is more tailored to concepts and complex algorithms you should have learned at some point. I felt way more confident with SAT math, even though I was somewhat dissatisfied with my score (650 both tests) at the end of the day. But honestly it’s right on par with what I should be getting, considering my understanding of mathematics, haha.</p>
<p>You will do much better on SAT math! Especially if you say you’re better at just solving things at whim rather than using formulas. I wouldn’t be too worried if I was you.</p>
<p>I actually thought SAT math was slightly trickier (although, it doesn’t test pre-calculus topics like the ACT does). However, many SAT questions tend to have multiple solutions; finding the quickest one will save you a lot of time.</p>
<p>SAT tries to trick you, ACT doesn’t. In some ways, your reading comprehension is pretty effectively tested on SAT Math.</p>
<p>Hm… Well the skills required on SAT math the average high schooler knows by the end of geometry so usually 9th or 10th grade. So in a manner of speaking yes it is technically “easier” but as the others have pointed out… SAT math tries to mess with you. It’s tricky especially if you’re not particularly conscientious and cognizant. For example if you are prone to making silly careless mistakes, you might struggle on SAT math. Also the curve is brutal since most kids perform well in math so 1 MC error = 770-780 depending on the curve, 1 FR wrong = 780-790 depending on the curve. Oh and if you hate probability… well there’s usually at least 2 on there.</p>
<p>In the past, I would say that the SAT Math was easier… however, I have heard rumors from some of my fellow senior class members who retook the SAT in October to try and boost their scores right before applications that it seemed to get harder… one student I knew went from a 770 on the math to a 610, which is a pretty huge decline. Almost everyone I knew had their scores go down. On the ACT, the first 2/3 of the math section was very easy, and then it got hard. I remember only being able to answer a handful of the last ten or so questions.</p>
<p>The SAT math is trickier, but certainly easier. The ACT tests deeper concepts (in my opinion), but it’s easy to get tripped up in the wording of SAT questions.</p>
<p>High school basic math versus mathematical reasoning abilities. Plug and chuck versus thinking. Time pressure versus penalty for guessing. </p>
<p>The shorter a test is the harder it is to earn a very high score because of being less forgiving.</p>
<p>Frankly, I am confused that someone can do well in math that is Algebra II and above and not get a 700 or above on the SAT Math. </p>
<p>The math in that section is so easy, all they do is test Algebra I, Geometry and basic Algebra II. Assuming you did not fail those classes, then getting a good score should be extremely easy. </p>
<p>I know someone who absolutely hated math, worked extremely hard at it but didn’t seem to improve and got an 800 on the SAT math.</p>
<p>The SAT is a reasoning test and tests how well you think. Therefore, the math is trickier and makes you think more (but it’s easier to finish if you’re slower, than the ACT is)</p>
<p>The ACT is an achievement tests and teaches things that you learned. Therefore, the math on it must be learned to be able to be done. It is more straightforward (if you learned it) but is more “time pressured”</p>
<p>I got a 36 on ACT math, an 800 on math 2 subject test, and 5 on AP Calculus Exam</p>
<p>Yet I cannot seem to score above a 730 on SAT reasoning math.</p>
<p>The weird thing is it feels the easier than the ACT while you’re doing it, but I always make stupid mistakes on the SAT math so I can never do as well as I would want.</p>
<p>There is no answer to which one is easier, just which one you prefer.</p>
<p>ACT is tougher if you didn’t pay attention all the way through Pre-Cal (I got stumped by a problem and felt pretty happy when I realized I could just use my calculator’s tricks and some science to find out how matrices are multiplied). SAT math is tougher if you’re not quick at picking problems up and knowing what they mean- a lot of the time, they’re alluding to principles and concepts without directly mentioning them.</p>
<p>I thought ACT math was easier because the questions are straight-forward. Granted, they do cover higher topics, but I had already taken Calc BC when I took the ACT </p>
<p>It comes down to opinion. I think the SAT math is harder because I always make careless mistakes or misread a question. That doesn’t stop me from getting a “respectable” score (700M on my most recent SAT, just took the ACT this past Saturday), but I do think that the ACT is a bit tougher in terms of time. Everything is pretty straightforward though. The most recent ACT had a long math section imo, but most of the time you can do a lot of the first half of the questions pretty quickly, averaging about 20-40 seconds a question, saving time for the harder ones down the road.</p>
<p>I won’t say definitively which one is easier. If you feel that you’re smart but you’re not taking advanced classes, the SAT can definitely help you out. Most of the algebra on it is really straightforward/simple and stuff that you can basically figure out on your own for the most part. On the ACT, a lot of it has to do with what you’re taught and how much of that information you retain. The ACT doesn’t claim to be a “reasoning” based test though; it clearly says on the website it is designed to test what your knowledge of the basic subjects is.</p>
<p>So what it all boils down to is this: take a couple practice sections of both and see which fits your style of testing better. If you feel more comfortable closely analyzing a few questions to determine what they’re asking you, go for the SAT one. If you think that you’re better at trig and feel comfortable with geometry beyond just looking at shapes and determining angles, go for the ACT.</p>
<p>I found that the ACT Math was easier only because–as others said–it was more straight forward and not as tricky. Sure, you’re still prone to make stupid mistakes but the SAT purposely tries to trick you because you have to use “reasoning.” I got a 30 on the ACT Math section (not the greatest but not bad either) but can’t get higher than a 640 on SAT Math. Using a not-so-reliable score converter, the 30 is equal to about 95% while the 640 is like an 82%.</p>
<p>The concepts on the math are different too which explains the gap. I believe ACT goes up to Trig/Pre-Calculus while SAT covers Algebra and Geometry. As @micmatt513 said, try practicing both tests and see what fits you better, </p>
<p>SAT was trickier during the last few questions but all in all easier compared to the ACT which had a lot harder questions at the end 8-10 and I had to guess bc no time. So SAT math was easier in general. </p>
<p>I ended up getting a 36 on ACT Math and an 800 on SAT Math. The SAT Math, though, was way easier, as long as you don’t make careless errors. I almost ran out of time on the ACT (I answered the last question with 10 seconds to spare) and it tested much higher level concepts.</p>
<p>I find the SAT math much easier. took the Act and got a 25 on the math, got a 770 on the SAT math. The only hard part about the SAT math is you have to get into the mindset of the test creators if that makes any sense</p>