You should also consider the importance of your Math score on your overall score. Therefore, if Math isn't your strong point and you think you may have to guess some answers, remember that the SAT provides a slight advantage over the ACT, with a 5% higher probability of getting a question correct. But if you guess an answer on a ACT Math question, you only have a 20% chance of getting it right. So if you were to guess an answer to a SAT Math question, you’d have a 25% chance of getting the question right.
The two tests also differ in the number of answer choices they give you on Math.īoth the SAT and ACT Math sections are mostly multiple choice, but the ACT Math gives you five possible answer choices (A-E or F-K) for each question, whereas the SAT Math only gives you four (A-D).įortunately, both tests use rights-only scoring, which means you won't lose a point for an incorrect answer. So if you’re worried you might forget some of your formulas, the SAT may be a better choice for you. Unlike the SAT, the ACT doesn’t give you any formulas on test day, which means you must memorise all possible formulas before taking the test. However, it's a good idea to try and memorise some important formulas not included in the diagram. The SAT provides you with a diagram of math formulas, whereas the ACT does not.Īlthough all these formulas and laws relate to geometry (which doesn't actually make up much of the SAT), having this diagram to hand means you won’t need to spend lots of time memorising formulas. But if you prefer trig functions and geometry, and are happy with matrices and logs, the ACT is a better option. This means that if you excel at algebra and data analysis, you’ll likely do well on the SAT. The ACT also tests things that the SAT doesn’t assess at all, such as matrices, graphs of trigonometry functions, and logarithms. You'll also find that trigonometry accounts for about 7% of the ACT but less than 5% of the SAT, so the ACT features more trigonometry. In contrast, geometry accounts for less than 10% of SAT Math questions. However, the ACT also tests some concepts that the SAT doesn’t deal with so much.įirst of all, the ACT focuses more on geometry, which makes up about 35-45% of the ACT Math section. The ACT and SAT both emphasise algebra (not good news if you aren't a maths lover). It's important to realise that the No Calculator questions are meant to be easier to solve without a calculator and so they are generally more reason-based than arithmetic-based. This menas the No Calculator questions aren't all that different from Calculator questions. Realise that on both the ACT and SAT, you can technically solve all math questions without a calculator. However, if you’re confident in your math skills and can work fast without a calculator, the SAT is a solid option.
In contrast, the Math Calculator subsection is 55 minutes long and consists of 38 questions.Īs a result, if you struggle with solving math quickly or without a calculator, you'd probably fare better on ACT Math than you would on SAT Math. Unlike the ACT for which you may use a calculator on all Math questions, the SAT contains a Math No Calculator subsection for which you may not use a calculator.Ĭonsisting of 20 questions, the No Calculator subsection is a mere 25 minutes long, making it the shortest section on the SAT. Math subsection with no calculator allowed On the SAT, you’ll occasionally come across questions dealing with scientific passages, data, and charts in the reading, writing, and math sections. However, it's important to remember that the SAT still tests scientific concepts, just not via a separate Science section. So if you love science, then a section focused on scientific data, graphs, and hypotheses might appeal to you in the ACT. Like the other three ACT sections, Science comprises one-fourth of your total ACT score. The ACT Science section contains 40 questions and lasts 35 minutes. The ACT contains a section entirely devoted to science, whereas the SAT does not. The ACT organization is more limited in scope, and is centred around the test it offers more than anything else. For the SAT, this is the College Board, which also offers Advanced Placement courses and other testing services. Both exams are offered by nonprofit organizations.
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