The ACT vs The SAT

Page 1: Introduction

If there’s one thing this guide will aim to teach you, it’s this:

Neither the SAT nor the ACT is “easier” or “harder” than the other – but different types of students usually do MUCH better on one than they do on the other.

I tutor both the SAT and the ACT, but my reputation has been built in the SAT space. Therefore, parents usually come to me for SAT help – the ACT is something that they don’t even consider. The opposite is also true: people who come to me for ACT prep rarely think of the SAT as an option. For whatever reason, people have a preconceived notion of which test they should prepare for, without first taking a good look at which exam is designed to maximize their results.

This is problematic, because certain students are practically built to take the ACT, and will find themselves struggling with the SAT – and vice versa. Even more importantly, you need to remember that these are COMPARATIVE exams. It’s not about how you do – it’s about how you do against everyone else who’s taking them. Therefore, if you can get an edge on our test or the other, take that one!

Therefore, one of the first things I do when advising my clients is to figure out which test they should be taking in the first place. This guide aims to do the same thing for you. First, we’ll discuss the differences between these two exams. Then, I’ll show you how to figure out which one is right for you or your child.

Section Summary: Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other – but each test benefits a different type of student. It’s essential that you figure out which test is best suited for you, so that you can achieve the highest scores possible.