For high school juniors and seniors (sometimes sophomores and younger) they will most likely be taking one or both of the standardized tests, the SAT or the ACT. But how is a confused high school student supposed to decide which one of these tests will work bests for him or her. Each test offers different benefits and pitfalls for each to decide which is better.

Normally the ACT questions tend to be more straightforward than those on the SAT. The ACT has a science connection and often tests more advanced math topics going up to trigonometry whereas the SAT only goes up to 2nd year of algebra. The SAT focuses much more on vocabulary and requires a written essay, whereas the ACT’s essay portion of the exam is optional and the score is not included in your composite score. The ACT also includes a science portion of the exam and the SAT does not have any science, only math, reading and writing. One final difference between the ACT and SAT is how the exams are broken up. The SAT is broken up to many more small sections, 10 to be exact and the ACT is only split into the four main sections math, science, english and reading.

Each test has it’s own distinct advantages and disadvantages for each individual student and the students must figure out which tests will be best for them. Sometimes it’s easy to decide which test to take, if the student completely hates science and wants nothing to do with it then the SAT is the choice and if the student is adverse to doing anything more than bubbling in scantrons then the ACT is the better choice. However if the student does not fall into one of these categories, the best way to determine which test is right for the individual is to actually take each one of the tests. Be it taking each individual test for real and getting your scores for both, or coming into the Study Hut and using any one of number of practice ACT and SAT test resources, as well as our fantastic tutors. The only way to truly find out what works for the student is to try out each test and see how you do.

For more information about our private ACT and SAT tutoring, contact us today!