Thoughts on the SAT vs ACT, Part 2
The more I consider the SAT vs ACT, the more I find the ACT to be the better test.
Two things draw me to this conclusion:
1. Some top schools will take the ACT instead of the SAT and two SAT IIs.
That means you could put all the effort you would have distributed across three tests (SATI, SATII, 2nd SAT II) and just focus on the ACT.
Save time and money in the test prep and test-taking experience.
2. The ACT is Easer Than The SAT
Why do I say this?
There are only four answer choices on each question, and there are no guessing penalties.
So not only do you have a higher chance of guessing/choosing the correct answer, there is no guessing penalty.
Another reason its easier is the English section: the passage lengths don’t vary which means you need fewer strategies to adapt to them.
Which Is Easier, The ACT or SAT? Consider The Curve
It’s also easier to do get into a higher percentile when taking the ACT.
Let’s consider how their curved:
- Correctly answering 90% of the questions on the SAT produces a 1440 (CR+M) which is the 97th percentile.
- Correctly answering 90% of the questions on the ACT produces a 33, which is the 99th percentile.
So, when people ask me which if the SAT or the ACT easier, the answer is clear:
The ACT is easier than the SAT.