Standardized tests for the United States: SAT or ACT?

If you decide to study for a bachelor’s degree in the United States, or at certain universities such as Bocconi, it’s highly likely that you’ll have to take the ACT (American college testing) or the SAT (scholastic assessment test). What are these exams, and how do you know which one to choose? Read on!

What are the SAT and ACT tests?

Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests recognized by all American universities. American students generally take these exams during their sophomore, junior and senior years – often more than once.

In fact, most universities require you to take one of these tests as part of the college admissions process. The purpose of the SAT and ACT is to enable university admissions officers to compare applicants more objectively.

Although there are slight differences between the exams, they do have some points in common. Both exams cover reading, writing and reasoning. Each exam lasts around three hours, and you can take both exams several times to improve your score.

Generally speaking, the SAT and ACT are quite similar, which can make it difficult to decide which test to take, but there are some important differences.

The main differences between the SAT and ACT are related to both content and scoring.

SAT and ACT contents

Reading section Reading

In the Reading section, while the SAT tends to favor slightly longer, more complex texts, ACT texts are generally simpler. However, the SAT also gives you much more time to answer each question – about 20 seconds more per question, on average. So don’t be put off by the more difficult SAT texts!

This section of the SAT also includes numerous charts and graphs. The ACT will also test your ability to interpret data, but only in the science section (which does not exist in the SAT), which is designed to test your ability to read and interpret scientific data.In any case, both tests offer MCQs for the verbal part. In both cases, the aim is to identify the answer that is objectively correct.

Mathematics section (Math)

The Mathematics section of these two tests also differs in content.

For example, the SAT includes a calculator-free section, whereas the ACT gives you the option of using your calculator for every question. The ACT Math section is also entirely multiple-choice, whereas the SAT requires you to generate some of the answers yourself. That said, some people find the ACT Math section more challenging due to its emphasis on geometry and trigonometry, and the absence of a formula sheet at the start of the test.

Since the ACT also gives you less time per question, people who are good at mental arithmetic generally do better than on the SAT.

Editorial (Writing)

Another difference between the two tests lies in the Writing section.

The ACT asks you to write a persuasive essay in which you set out your point of view on a topic and use arguments and examples to defend it.

For the SAT, on the other hand, you’ll first have to read an essay written by another author and explain how the latter defended his or her point of view.

If you like to build your argument, ACT writing might be to your taste; if you prefer to analyze a text, the SAT will probably be the better choice.

Exam grading

A major difference between the SAT and the ACT is the way in which each test is scored. The SAT is scored on a scale of 1,600.

Your total score on the Evidence-based reading and writing(EBRW) section (out of 800) will be added to your total score on the Math section (also out of 800). The average SAT score is around 1,050, but the most selective universities generally require a minimum score of 1,350, or even 1,450 for the most competitive.

The ACT, on the other hand, is scored out of 36; you’ll get a score between 1 and 36 for each section (English, math, reading and science). Your overall score is then calculated by averaging your four scores. The average ACT score is around 21, but the most selective universities often require a score above 31, and even 33 for the most competitive.

Points to remember about grading these exams

First of all, a low score on one of the two SAT sections will lower your total score more significantly than a low score on one of the four ACT sections.

For example, suppose you get a perfect score (800) in the EBRW section and the lowest possible score (200) in the Math section. This would give you a total score of 1,000, which is not a very competitive score.

On the other hand, if you get the lowest possible score on the ACT math test (1) and a perfect score on the other three sections, you’ll get a total score of 27 out of 36, which is an honorable score on the test.

The vast majority of North American universities recognize the SAT, and the most selective among them require Bachelor’s degree applicants to obtain a high score on this exam.

What’s more, some European bachelor’s programs also recognize the SAT or ACT as an alternative to their own entrance exams (Bocconi in Milan, ESADE in Barcelona or IE in Madrid, for example). So it might also make sense to prepare for the SAT or ACT at one of these universities too.

What is the SAT reasoning test?

SAT stands for scholastic assessment test. It is a standardized test lasting 3 hours, or 3 hours 50 minutes if you opt for the optional essay. It is designed to assess the comprehension and logical abilities of students (American or foreign), mainly with a view to entering an American university (or an international university that also recognizes this exam).

Applicants to the SAT are subjected to three types of evaluation, scored between 200 and 800, designed to assess their overall level. The more prestigious the university, the higher the SAT score. Students admitted to universities such as Harvard and Stanford have often achieved SAT scores in excess of 1,500 out of 1,600.

The SAT exam consists of several tests:

  • Reading test (reading comprehension – 52 questions in 65 minutes): here you’ll have to analyze texts, complete sentences and answer a number of multiple-choice questions. The subjects of the texts you’ll be asked to read range from literature and history to science. It’s therefore important to practice reading quickly, while being able to identify the overall theme of the text, the meaning of certain details or expressions and vocabulary words.
  • writing and language test (proofreading and correction of text – 44 questions in 35 minutes): this English test assesses your language level by correcting sentences containing grammatical, vocabulary and syntax errors. It will often be necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence in its context within the paragraph. Four possible answers are proposed, including no changesif you think there are no errors in the sentence in question.
  • mathematics, with and without calculator (mathematics – 20 questions, 25 questions and 38 questions in 70 minutes, respectively): this section is designed to assess your reasoning skills and logic through MCQs in geometry, algebra, probability and statistics. All concepts will normally have already been covered in class.

Depending on the university you wish to attend, in addition to the common SAT (SAT reasoning test), you will have to take one or more optional SAT subject tests.

What are SAT subject tests?

To enter specific university departments, you may have to take between one and three SAT subject tests, in addition to the common SAT. These are supplementary exams lasting an average of 60 minutes, designed to assess your knowledge of specific subjects (English, mathematics, history, science and languages), and divided into around twenty separate exams.

It’s a good idea to find out whether the universities you’re interested in require SAT Subject Tests, and how many exams you’ll need to take for the type of course you’re interested in.

Where and when to take the SAT and SAT subject tests?

Taking the SAT comes at a price: you should expect to pay around €60 ($64.50) for the essay version and €44 ($47.50) for the non-essay version. Add another €40 ($43) if you wish to take it in Europe.

For the SAT subject test, allow around €24 ($26) and €20 ($22) per test, or €24 ($26) if there’s a listening section, and around €42 ($46) extra if you take it in Europe.

In France, several establishments in Paris and the provinces offer SAT exams four times a year. Please consult the registration calendar on the SAT website for dates and test centers.

The SAT dates are generally around the following periods:

  • August 28-29 (SAT and subject tests) ;
  • October 2-3 (SAT and subject tests) ;
  • December 4-5 (SAT and subject tests) ;
  • March 12-13 (SAT only) ;
  • May 7-8 (SAT and subject tests).

Registration for the SAT and SAT subject tests is done directly via the College Board platform, and must be done approximately one month before the actual test date. Please note that the SAT and SAT subject tests cannot be taken on the same day.

Attention

You will also need to take into account the application deadlines for the American university of your choice, so that you can include your SAT score in your application. >dossier d’admission. Generally speaking, you’ll get your results between three weeks and a month after taking the test.

When and where to take the ACT?

You can usually take the ACT five times a year in France: September, October, December, April and June.

There are several test centers in France, in Paris and Nice.

To register for ACT, go to: global.act.org

How much does ACT cost?

The ACT outside the USA costs $52 (approx. €48) without the writing part and $68 (approx. €62) with it.

How do you prepare for these exams?

Exams like the SAT or ACT can be extremely confusing. The sheer number of questions can seem overwhelming in relation to the time available. You need to be able to handle the pressure of the exam and get the score required by the American universities you want to attend.

So it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the SAT or ACT and practice regularly, ideally over a period of 6 to 18 months. Understanding how the test works, its concepts and the different types of questions will enable you to approach the tests more serenely and maximize your chances of success.

To assess your initial SAT or ACT level, don’t hesitate to take the official practice tests available free online on the College Board website for the SAT and ACT.org for the ACT.

Some tips from manuals and resources to help you prepare for the SAT and ACT

  • College Board:On the College Board website, you’ll find 8 official SAT tests available free online! Go to: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests

What’s more, the official SAT Study Guide, better known as the Blue Book, is also 100% downloadable from the College Board website. So there’s no need to buy it.

  • Khan Academy: on this site, you’ll find free resources for SAT revision. However, it doesn’t offer the same tips as the books below. The College Board has invested heavily with Khan Academy to create quality video content aimed at democratizing the SAT. Simply create a free account to start using the site’s resources. It’s best to consult the English version of the site, as the French version is not as complete.
  • The Official ACT Prep Guide 2020-2021 published by Wiley, including five official mock tests. This book is not free, however. You can also find old official tests online (by doing an online search for ACT retired tests). You’ll generally be more efficient if you work on a PDF test rather than on the digital interface put forward by ETS, the exam creator.
  • LeBlack Bookpar Mike Barrett, ACT and SAT versions: we think these two manuals are very interesting, particularly because of their detailed answer keys for the first four practice tests (note: the College Board no longer recommends the SAT Practice Test 2, which is still included in Mike Barrett’s book). As these books are very thick, opting for the online version may be a good option.

The author aims to show you the logic of the exam and the objective nature of the answers in the Verbal section of these two tests. What’s more, his detailed answer keys and explanations of the mock exams, and his explanations of the most common strategies and mistakes, are without doubt the most interesting aspects of these two books: SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever PublishedandACT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective ACT Strategies Ever Published.

  • The series The Ultimate Guide by Erica Metzler : a series of manuals to prepare l’ACT et le SAT. There are versions of the books for both exams, but they are relatively similar. The style of the book is simple and very academic, which may make it easier to understand. The author covers every aspect of the Verbal of the test and offers numerous questions for highly targeted practice (for example, Vocabulary in context, a very useful skill for sections Reading and writing and language of the test). These books are only available in paper version : 4th Edition, The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar et 4th Edition, The Ultimate Guide to SAT Reading–The Complete Guide to ACT® English, 4th Edition.
  • The Prep Scholar Blog(https://blog.prepscholar.com/): a wealth of free resources! Read, for example, articles on the grammar rules you need to know for the Verbal section, sample test questions with examples, the most common mistakes not to make, and how your number of correct answers corresponds to your test score. The site is extremely comprehensive, so don’t hesitate to use a search engine to find answers to specific questions, which is often easier than navigating the site itself.
  • Magoosh: we like this online platform for its practicality, with videos, lots of questions for revision and practice, and mock tests. What’s more, it’s attractively priced compared with other online programs.

A final word

Here we’ve listed just a few of our favorite resources. You’re sure to come across others (including The Princeton Review, Barron’s and Manhattan Prep). They can all be useful and help you organize your work. But remember, there’s no substitute for using the official mock tests and their answer keys!

In addition, it’s a good idea to draw up lists of the concepts you find most difficult to master. Re-taking a test you’ve already taken can also help you gain confidence and practice answering questions in the time allowed.

Would you like to take the SAT to get into a foreign university? Have a look at our SAT preparation packages and Contact us to discuss your project together!