The SAT and ACT are standardized tests colleges use as a common yardstick — measuring your reading, writing, and math skills so admissions officers can compare applicants from different schools on the same scale. A higher score generally means a better shot at admission, and test scores can also unlock scholarships worth real money.
What's on the SAT?
Three sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (split into a Reading test and a Writing/Language test), Math, and an optional Essay.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Reading | 52 multiple-choice questions, 65 minutes. Passages from literature, historical documents, social science, and natural science. |
| Writing & Language | 44 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes. Grammar, vocabulary in context, and editing. |
| Math | 58 multiple-choice questions, 80 minutes total (20-question no-calculator section, 38-question calculator section). Algebra I & II, geometry, some trig. |
| Essay (optional) | 1 essay, 50 minutes. Read a passage and explain how the author builds a persuasive argument. |
Scoring: 400–1600 total, with Math and Reading/Writing each scored 200–800. The optional essay is scored separately.
What's on the ACT?
Five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing test.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| English | 75 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes. Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetorical skills. |
| Math | 60 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes. Algebra I & II, geometry, some trig. |
| Reading | 40 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes. Four passages (prose fiction, social studies, humanities, natural science). |
| Science | 40 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes. Science-based passages with graphs, charts, and data. |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay, 40 minutes. |
Scoring: 1–36, averaged across the four required sections. The essay is scored separately.
The essay is optional on both tests, but some colleges still require it — I'd recommend taking it at least once on whichever test you prefer.
Which Test Should You Take?
Take both if you can — a lot of students find one noticeably easier than the other. I took both and found the SAT easier for me. There's no "better" test in the eyes of colleges; they accept either.
What It Costs — and How to Get a Fee Waiver
SAT: $52 without the essay, $68 with it. ACT: $55 without the essay, $70 with it. But many students qualify for a full fee waiver, and it's worth checking even if you're not sure — you're eligible for either test's waiver if any of these apply:
- You're enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program
- Your family income falls within the USDA's income eligibility guidelines
- You're enrolled in a program that aids low-income students (e.g. Federal TRIO / Upward Bound)
- Your family receives public assistance
- You live in federally subsidized housing, a foster home, or are homeless
- You're a ward of the state or an orphan
If you meet any of these, email your school counselor — they can issue the waiver directly.
When Should You Test?
Test early. Aim to test at least twice before Early Action/Early Decision deadlines in September and October of senior year. Applying Early Action gets you a decision sooner (usually January/February) while still letting you compare financial aid from multiple schools — you can apply EA to as many schools as you want. Early Decision is binding: if accepted, you have to attend, which improves your odds but removes your ability to compare aid offers.
A reasonable plan: test once junior year, again over the summer to catch early deadlines, then retake whichever test you scored better on. Compare your scores against your target schools' averages and decide if another attempt is worth it — but I wouldn't take either test more than 4 times.
Register for the SAT at collegeboard.org and the ACT at act.org.
Free Study Resources
SAT
- Khan Academy — free, with 8 full-length practice tests, personalized recommendations, and thousands of videos and hints. This was the single most useful resource for me.
- Official College Board site — full-length practice tests, tutorials, and scoring info.
- Prep Scholar's SAT blog — detailed section-by-section coverage and test strategies.
- Manhattan Review — free SAT practice questions and info.
ACT
- ACT Academy — built by the test's creators; practice tests, strategies, quizzes, video lessons.
- Official ACT site — sample questions, past student essays, and score explanations.
- Prep Scholar's ACT blog — strategies and example questions for every section.
- Magoosh — study plans, strategy, a free practice test, and an ebook.