Which Test Should You Take? SAT vs. ACT Score Comparison
Compare Your SAT and ACT Scores
The SAT and the ACT have different sections and use different scoring scales, so it’s not always obvious which test is best for you. Enter your scores below to find out!
SAT Score
Scale: 400–1600ACT Score
Scale: 1–36*The Science Test is optional and not included in the Composite score.
How to Use the SAT vs. ACT Score Comparison Tool
This tool can help you determine which test to take, or if you decide to take both tests, which scores you should submit to colleges.
How to Choose Between the SAT and ACT
Some students naturally perform better on one test than the other. Although the underlying content is very similar, the formats are different enough that it’s worth finding out before you start preparing.
Here’s how to decide which test to take:
- Take a full-length practice test for each.
- Enter your practice test scores above and review the results.
- If one test score is much stronger than the other, focus on that test. If your scores are roughly the same, think about which test you preferred and choose that one.
Should You Submit SAT Scores, ACT Scores, or Both?
Some students decide to take both tests. If that’s you, this tool can help you decide which score to send to colleges. Enter your official scores to see which result is stronger overall.
You can also compare your scores section by section. If your overall scores are comparable, but your section-level strengths differ, sending both scores can give colleges a more complete picture of your academic abilities.
Next Steps: Improving Your SAT or ACT Score
A practice score is a starting point. With targeted prep, there’s real opportunity to improve your scores.
Test Innovators has full-length practice tests, detailed score reports, and tools to help you maximize your score.
Need help interpreting your scores or creating a prep plan? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation. During this parent-focused call, a test specialist will review your student’s progress in the context of their specific goals and provide personalized recommendations for tutoring or classes.
Isaac Foster, Director of Education
Isaac Foster has more than 20 years of experience in tutoring, test preparation, and college admissions. He began his career as a middle school ELA teacher in East Harlem before joining Kaplan Test Prep in Paris as Faculty Manager. After returning to New York, he ran a boutique tutoring, test prep, and admissions company for a decade before founding I. Foster Learning in 2022. Isaac has been a Test Innovators user and collaborator for over ten years, and now brings that experience in-house as part of the Test Innovators team.
