What are the differences between the ACT and SAT?
Until recently the SAT was considered more of an aptitude test, while the ACT claimed to assess achievement. Now, with the changes in the SAT, they are more similar in general approach, though a number of differences still exist. For example, the SAT’s essay is mandatory, while the ACT has an optional essay, though generally it is suggested to do the essay on the ACT as well. The ACT includes a scientific reasoning section (which, by the way, requires no specific science knowledge), while the SAT does not. Is the ACT easier? No, the two tests are just different. The ACT is more content-based than the SAT, and many feel it is more straightforward. Some students do better on one than the other, and some end up with the same scores. We’ve heard of many students who do not prepare for the ACT, thinking it will be easier and are disappointed with their results. The SAT is more “tricky”–students that learn how to navigate the SAT tricks tend to increase their scores substantially on the SAT,
