<p>In terms of question type and wording, how are the SAT and ACT different?</p>
<p>It would be astounding if someone could post two questions side by side demonstrating the same concept for a comparison.</p>
<p>Okay, the ACT has a science section. Which killed me.
The SAT has no science section. On the minus side, it deducts you 1/4 a point for every wrong answer.</p>
<p>SAT has a mandatory essay. The ACT has an optional ‘with writing’ test you can take.</p>
<p>The math is the ACT is down to earth questions. They get harder as you go on.
The SAT has tricky math problems that involve really easy math- if you could just figure out what the heck they want you to do!</p>
<p>The SAT has a big vocab section. ACT doesn’t.</p>
<p>Most people say the SAT is harder, but for me, I did pretty well on the SAT and horrid on the ACT.</p>
<p>You can do good on the act without studying since it bases it off of knowledge you already have. The sat is harder to do welll on without trying out practice questions first</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T959 using CC App</p>
<p>SAT-style question:</p>
<p>An integer $y is defined by y + 1/y. Find a nonzero integer that satisfies the equation $y/x=3</p>
<p>ACT-style question:
y+x=21
y=x+3
Find y</p>
<p>Basically, the SAT tries to be a kind of awkward IQ test mixed with what you learned in high school, while the ACT tests what you know straight up.</p>
<p>In my very humble opinion (after taking both tests)</p>
<p>the ACT seems to focus a lot more on knowledge
Like in the science section, I found that I had background knowledge on 3 of the articles, just skimmed the experiment, and answered the question. I nailed that section pretty hard</p>
<p>Also, the English section on the ACT will actually test your knowledge of punctuation… whereas the SAT doesn’t really. </p>
<p>In my opinion if you’re looking at high end scores, SAT high end scores are easier to get than ACT high end scores because of the way the composite score works. A 35 translates to roughly a 2320ish (correct me if I’m wrong)
However, when the scores are both lower (1300-2000 SAT, 18-30 ACT), then it doesn’t really matter.</p>
<p>ACT is like taking any other test, if you know the background info you should be set. The only tricky part about the ACT is 1) The science section which is more data comprehension 2) time. If you practice you should get both down. </p>
<p>The SAT tests on vocab unlike the ACT, it also tries harder to trick you. That being said timing wasn’t an issue and the questions are easier (you just have to be careful not to fall for their traps). </p>
<p>It depends what kind of tester you are, for me I preferred the ACT.
SAT: 2030
ACT: 34 (2250 roughly.)
I took both tests only once.</p>
<p>I haven’t actually taken a REAL ACT but I’ve taken the SAT twice. I felt like I had to work my a$$ off for the SAT. I got a 2370 after the second time, but I had to do a LOT of practice. But I took a practice ACT the other day just for kicks and got a 36 with no preparation…so now I’m thinking I could have saved a lot of time and gotten a perfect score on the ACT!! But I needed NMS also so in the end it was worth it for SAT.</p>
<p>ACT questions definitely seem more straightforward, but then again, the reading and science sections give you VERY little time. Also, the ACT curve is harsher, but it rewards you if you don’t make dumb mistakes or get a weird test. I’d take a few practice tests of each and see which one you’re better at.</p>
<p>Also, if you’re applying to the top schools, even if they only require the ACT, I would still suggest taking subject tests to show your academic competency in various subjects. 800s on subject tests will give you an edge in the admissions process.</p>