Makenzie Aquino

With the recent switch from the SAT to the ACT at Metea Valley, many students are questioning which one is better to take.

Testing is an essential part of high school. And with testing season underway, it is important to know the differences between the ACT and SAT. Students often misunderstand the SAT and ACT as similar. They are both standardized tests that help colleges and universities assess students for entry. Both tests, however, serve different purposes.

According to act.org, the ACT contains 5 sections: English, Math, Reading, Writing, and Science. At Metea, all of these sections need to be completed to graduate. Each section is one hour long or less, and can be taken either online or on paper. The ACT prides itself on its “commitment to equity and impact,” citing the ACT’s “English learner support” as proof. The ACT does not cap scores, meaning there is no “maximum” score that a student can receive. Two breaks are taken during the test: one 15-minute break after the math section and one five-minute break before the writing section.

The SAT also has its benefits. According to the Collegeboard, the SAT is much more accessible, being available “digitally everywhere.” The reading sections are much shorter, too, with short passages with only one question. The SAT is also taken by more students than other standardized tests, with 1.9 million students taking it in the class of 2023. The ACT only had 1.38 million students taking it. The SAT has only two sections, each section divided into two modules, each taking around 30 minutes to complete. The SAT has remained a popular choice for schools across the country because of its accessibility.

Both tests, however, do have flaws. Standardized testing has often been criticized for perpetuating inequality. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education reports that a large gap remains in test scores. Both tests are also thought to favor wealthier students, as tutoring for the specific testing styles and retakes add up. Students who retake the test can update their scores, leaving students who can not afford these retakes at a disadvantage. These faults may not apply to everyone since each person takes a test differently.

While both tests have their differences, they share the same goal: serving as a benchmark for college admissions. It is not required to take both tests; usually, colleges require one or the other to be admitted. Even when applying to a college that doesn’t require either, reporting SAT/ACT scores can strengthen applications. A good test score can even compensate for a low GPA. Both tests can also be retaken as many times as possible, so a low ACT/SAT score can be changed.

Overall, it does not really matter which test is better for a student. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is only a matter of personal preference. Some colleges may prefer one or the other, but the choice is still up to the student.