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What’s the difference between SAT and ACT, and which should I take?

[Sponsored Article] The Scholastic Aptitude Test, generally referred to as the SAT, was redesigned in 2016 and the test has grown to be more similar to the ACT.

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What’s the difference between SAT and ACT, and which should I take?

[Sponsored Article]

The Scholastic Aptitude Test, generally referred to as the SAT, was redesigned in 2016 and the test has grown to be more similar to the ACT.

The SAT is a US-based test administered worldwide and is assessed by the College Board. High-school students generally take the test during their junior and senior years. It’s specifically designed to assess levels of literacy, mathematical aptitude, and the writing skills necessary for a successful scholastic career at a college or university.

The ACT (American College Testing) readiness assessment is a similar test taken by high-school students in the US and in recent decades, has gained rising popularity among students around the world. The ACT has four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science, as well as an optional 40-minute writing test, which is required by some schools.

The SAT and the ACT are largely the same in terms of test content, except that the ACT includes a science section. The ACT Science Reasoning Test assesses your scientific skills more than your knowledge. Students normally would have learned these science skills from taking science classes in high school. It also places a greater emphasis on problem-solving skills. Another main difference is that in the SAT, there is one maths section that does not allow the use of a calculator. There are five reading passages in the SAT test, and four in the ACT. The SAT is scored from 400 to 1600, while the ACT is scored from one to 36.

The easiest way to decide which test to take is to do a full-length practice test for both the SAT and the ACT. The SAT generally allows slightly more time to ponder questions, but because some students do better on tests when under pressure, the less available time of the ACT can prove to be a positive aspect. Universities don’t prefer one test over the other, so students can choose the test they feel comfortable with.

This content has been created under the direction of an advertiser. It contains no editorial input or review from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), nor does it reflect the position of, or the editorial standards used by, the SCMP. The advertiser has paid for and approved the content.
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