Is the SAT or ACT Right for Your Child? Complete Parent's Guide 2025

Understanding the SAT and ACT: Basic Overview

What Is the SAT?

The SAT, administered by the College Board, transitioned to a fully digital format in 2024 and is now delivered exclusively through the Bluebook app on laptops, tablets, or school-issued devices. The digital SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes and consists of two sections: Reading and Writing (54 questions in 64 minutes) and Math (44 questions in 70 minutes). The test uses adaptive technology where second module difficulty adjusts based on first module performance.

SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, with each section (Reading/Writing and Math) scored between 200 and 800. The test allows calculator use throughout the entire Math section and provides a built-in graphing calculator within the testing platform. The SAT features shorter reading passages (25-150 words) with one question per passage, making reading comprehension more manageable for students who struggle with long texts.

What Is the ACT?

The ACT, conducted by ACT, Inc., maintains a more traditional structure and offers both paper-based testing (most common) and digital testing at select locations. The ACT takes 2 hours and 55 minutes without the optional sections (3 hours and 35 minutes with optional Writing) and includes four required sections: English (75 questions in 45 minutes), Math (60 questions in 60 minutes), Reading (40 questions in 35 minutes), and Science (40 questions in 35 minutes, now optional).

The ACT uses a composite scoring system ranging from 1 to 36, calculated by averaging scores from all four required sections (each scored 1-36). The Reading section features longer passages (approximately 750 words) with 9-10 questions per passage. Unlike the SAT, the ACT includes a dedicated Science section testing data interpretation and scientific reasoning rather than science content knowledge.

Detailed SAT vs. ACT Comparison

Test Structure and Format

The most fundamental difference between the tests lies in their structure and delivery format. The SAT's digital format and two-section structure contrasts sharply with the ACT's traditional four-section approach, creating different testing experiences that suit different student preferences.

Reading Section Differences

The reading sections differ dramatically in passage length and question distribution, significantly impacting which test suits students with different reading preferences and comprehension styles.

Math Section Differences

Math content and approach vary significantly between tests, making this often the determining factor for students with clear mathematical strengths or weaknesses.

Use our comprehensive math resources to prepare for either test:

• SAT Math Cheatsheet - Complete coverage of SAT Math concepts
• SAT Geometry Cheatsheet - Essential geometric formulas
• SAT Formulas Cheatsheet - All key formulas for SAT Math
• SAT Math Strategies - Proven problem-solving approaches

Which Test Should Your Child Take?

Key Factors to Consider

Making the right choice requires evaluating multiple factors including your child's academic strengths, test-taking preferences, time management abilities, and preparation timeline. Consider these critical decision points when determining which test better suits your child.

The Science Section Consideration

The ACT's dedicated Science section (now optional) represents one of the most significant differences between the tests. This 35-minute, 40-question section tests data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and analysis of charts, graphs, and experimental designs—not specific science content knowledge.

Time Management and Pacing

Timing differences between the tests significantly impact which students perform better on each exam. The SAT's more generous pacing suits students who think carefully before answering, while the ACT's faster pace favors quick decision-makers who trust their instincts.

Cost and Registration Considerations

Test Fees and Additional Costs

Both tests cost the same for basic registration, but additional fees vary. Understanding complete costs helps families budget appropriately for test preparation and multiple testing attempts.

Test Frequency and Availability

Both tests offer multiple testing dates annually, though availability varies by location. The SAT typically offers 7 national test dates per year (August, October, November, December, March, May, June), while the ACT offers 6-7 dates (September, October, December, February, April, June, July). Check upcoming SAT test dates to plan your testing schedule.

Score Conversion and College Requirements

Understanding Score Equivalencies

Colleges view SAT and ACT scores as equivalent, using concordance tables to compare scores across tests. Understanding these conversions helps families evaluate which test might yield better results for your child's college goals.

Score Goals by College Type

Understanding target scores for your child's college aspirations helps determine preparation intensity and whether retaking tests makes sense. Explore our comprehensive score guides:

• What is a Good SAT Score? - Understand score benchmarks and percentiles
• Average SAT Scores by State - Regional comparison context
• Average Ivy League SAT Scores - Elite university expectations
• Top Colleges That Don't Require SAT - Test-optional alternatives

How to Make the Final Decision

Take Practice Tests of Both

The most reliable way to determine which test suits your child better is having them take full-length practice tests of both SAT and ACT under realistic timed conditions. Compare results using concordance tables to see which test yields higher equivalent scores. Many students perform similarly on both, but some show clear preferences based on format, pacing, and content differences.

Trust Your Child's Feedback

While parents can analyze data and compare scores objectively, ultimately your child takes the test. Their subjective experience matters enormously—comfort level, confidence, stress management, and format preferences significantly impact actual test-day performance. If your child strongly prefers one test despite marginally better practice scores on the other, respect that preference. Test anxiety and comfort affect scores as much as academic ability.

Can Your Child Take Both Tests?

The Dual-Testing Strategy

Some students choose to prepare for and take both SAT and ACT, submitting whichever score is higher. While this approach maximizes chances of achieving strong results, it requires double the preparation time, costs twice as much, and creates additional scheduling challenges. Consider dual testing if your child performs similarly on both practice tests, has time for comprehensive preparation for both formats, wants to maximize scholarship opportunities where every point matters, or operates in a superscoring environment where colleges combine best section scores across multiple attempts.

Preparation Strategies and Resources

Focused Preparation After Choosing

Once you've determined which test suits your child better, commit to focused preparation using test-specific strategies and materials. While some skills transfer between tests (reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, time management), each exam requires familiarity with its unique format, question types, and pacing.

Recommended Preparation Timeline

Regardless of which test your child takes, begin preparation 3-5 months before the target test date. This timeline allows comprehensive content review, extensive practice test experience, error analysis, and strategy refinement without creating overwhelming pressure or burnout. Start with diagnostic testing to establish baseline scores, then focus preparation on areas offering maximum improvement potential.

Common Parent Questions

Do colleges prefer SAT over ACT or vice versa?

No—all U.S. colleges that require standardized test scores accept both SAT and ACT equally with absolutely no preference between exams. Admission officers use concordance tables to evaluate scores equivalently regardless of which test students submit. Choose based entirely on which test better suits your child's strengths and preferences, not perceived college preferences which don't exist. This has been consistently confirmed by colleges including all Ivy League institutions.

Should my child take both SAT and ACT?

Most students benefit from focusing on one test rather than dividing preparation between both. Take both only if your child performs equally well on practice tests of each, has sufficient time for thorough preparation of both formats, and needs maximum flexibility for scholarship opportunities. Otherwise, concentrated preparation for one test typically produces better results than split focus yielding two mediocre scores. If uncertain which to choose, take practice tests of both and compare results using concordance tables.

My child did poorly on the PSAT—should they take ACT instead?

Not necessarily. The PSAT serves as SAT practice, but poor PSAT performance doesn't automatically mean ACT is better. PSAT scores tend to be lower than eventual SAT scores after preparation, and the format is similar but not identical. Have your child take full practice tests of both SAT and ACT before deciding. Many students who struggled on PSAT improve dramatically on SAT after targeted preparation, while others discover they prefer ACT format. Let actual diagnostic results guide your decision rather than PSAT performance alone.

How long should my child prepare for SAT or ACT?

Most students need 3-5 months of consistent preparation to achieve substantial score improvements. Students with strong foundations seeking 50-100 point gains may need only 2-3 months, while those targeting 200+ point improvements or addressing fundamental knowledge gaps require 4-6 months minimum. Begin diagnostic testing 5-6 months before your target test date, allowing time to identify weaknesses, complete comprehensive preparation, take multiple practice tests, and make adjustments based on progress. Rushed preparation in under 6-8 weeks rarely produces optimal results.

What if my child's SAT and ACT practice scores are similar?

When practice scores are equivalent after conversion, choose based on subjective preferences including which test format felt more comfortable, which pacing suited them better, whether they preferred shorter or longer reading passages, if they found digital or paper testing easier, and which prep materials seemed more accessible. Sometimes the "better" test is simply the one your child feels more confident taking. Trust their instincts about which format reduced anxiety and felt more manageable, as test-day comfort significantly impacts actual performance.

Can my child switch from SAT to ACT (or vice versa) after beginning preparation?

Yes, students can switch test focus though some preparation time is "lost" since format-specific strategies and practice don't fully transfer. If your child has prepared 4-6 weeks for one test and diagnostic testing reveals significantly better aptitude for the other, switching makes sense despite sunk costs. However, avoid switching repeatedly—commit to one test for at least 8-10 weeks of preparation before considering alternatives. Constant switching prevents deep familiarity with either test's format and strategy requirements. Make one early switch if needed, then commit fully to final choice.

Making Your Decision With Confidence

Choosing between SAT and ACT represents an important decision in your child's college preparation journey, but it's not permanent or irreversible. The tests serve identical purposes—providing colleges with standardized measures of academic readiness—and all institutions accept both equally. Your decision should be driven entirely by which test better aligns with your child's academic strengths, learning style, and test-taking preferences, not perceived college preferences or external pressures.

The most reliable decision-making approach involves taking full-length practice tests of both exams under realistic timed conditions, comparing results using official concordance tables, and considering your child's subjective experience with each format. Numbers matter—choose the test where practice scores are higher—but so does comfort level. If your child strongly prefers one test's format despite marginally better scores on the other, respect that preference since test anxiety and confidence significantly impact actual performance.

Remember that either test can serve your child well with proper preparation. The SAT's more generous pacing, shorter reading passages, and digital format suit some students perfectly, while the ACT's traditional structure, dedicated Science section, and straightforward math questions work better for others. There's no universally "better" test—only the test that's better for your specific child based on their unique abilities and preferences.

Most importantly, avoid decision paralysis. Make an informed choice within 4-6 weeks of beginning test exploration, then commit fully to comprehensive preparation for your chosen exam. Indecision wastes valuable preparation time, and constantly second-guessing your choice undermines confidence. Choose thoughtfully based on evidence and your child's input, then move forward confidently with focused preparation that maximizes their score potential on the selected test.