ACT

SAT

Length

3 hours 25 minutes

3 hours, 45 minutes

Sections

5 sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing

10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, 1 experimental (unscored)

Areas Tested

English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing

Critical Reading, Math, Writing

Reading (ACT) vs. Critical Reading (SAT)

4 Reading Comprehension passages, 10 ?’s per passage

Reading comprehension passages and ?’s, and sentence completion ?’s.

Science

Science (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and basic content, & problem solving

Science NOT included

Math

Accounts for ¼ of overall score.  Topics: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and Trig

Math accounts for 1/3 of overall score.  Topics: Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, & algebra 2

Essay

Last thing you do.  30 min. Not included in composite score.  Topic of interest to high school students.  Address counterarguments.

First thing you do.  25 min.  Factored into overall score.  More abstract topic.  Pick a side and stick to it!

Scoring

Total composite score of 1-36 (based on average of 4 tests).  4 scores of 1-36 for each test.

Total score of 2400 3 scores of 200-800 for each section.  Score of 0-12 for the Essay.

Wrong Answer Penalty

No wrong answer penalty

¼ point subtracted per wrong answer (except for Math Grid-in ?’s)

Test Contact Info

ACT, Inc.

(319) 337-1000

www.actstudent.org

The College Board

1-866-756-7346

www.collegeboard.org

Sending Score History

You decide which score is sent.

You decide which score is sent.