How do The ACT Math/Science tests and The SAT Math test compare?
The questions on the ACT math test cover a wider area than those on the SAT digital math test and tend to go into less depth. The time constraints on the math section of the ACT are tighter than the SAT (you have one hour to answer 60 questions—calculator allowed). In addition, the ACT has a science section (the SAT does not) consisting of 40 questions that must be answered in 35 minutes. The ACT is a paper test, whereas the SAT is digital (online). This will be changing in April 2025 for students taking the online exam, and in September of 2025 for those taking the paper-pencil test. Here are coming changes per the ACT website:
Reduced the number of questions overall (44 fewer).
Reduced the test length.
Students can receive their college-reportable Composite score after 125 minutes of testing, rather than up to 195.
More time per question.
Reduced the number of answer choices in math questions from five to four.
Students can now choose to take the ACT National test with or without the science section.
The digital SAT, which was first administered in the US on March 9, 2024, allows 70 minutes fot 44 math questions. The questions are divided into two equal modules, with 35 minutes allowed for each module. A calculator is allowed on both sections. There is no science section. In addition, the SAT is adaptive: The first module of each section consists of a mixture of easy, medium, and hard questions. Depending on how you do on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult. The entire SAT is digital, meaning you’ll take it on your computer, iPad, or other College Board approved device.
need help in deciding whether the act or sat is best for you?
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For an advance look at the tests, visit the following links:
free aCT practice tests
ACT Practice Test-Printable PDF
ACT Practice Test-Online Version
free Digital SAT Practice tests
Digital SAT Practice Tests
Download Bluebook APP to take Practice Tests
ISEE tutoring
Questions about ISEE tutoring? Message me and I’ll be happy to call you to discuss in detail. For an advance look at the ISEE, see the following links:
What To Expect On ISEE—Upper Level-Downloadable PDF
What To Expect On ISEE—Middle Level–Downloadable PDF
What To Expect On ISEE—Lower Level–Downloadable PDF
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