SAT vs. ACT

Differences

The ACT is a subject-based test; whereas, the SAT is a thinking-based test.
The SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving.
The ACT includes a science-reasoning test; the SAT does not.
The ACT math section includes trigonometry; the SAT does not.
The SAT math questions often combine several concepts; the ACT questions are more straightforward.
The SAT tests vocabulary more frequently than the ACT.
The SAT is not all-multiple choice; the ACT is.
The SAT has a wrong answer penalty; the ACT does not.
The SAT questions within a particular set appear in order of difficulty. This is not true of the ACT.
ACT tests English Grammar, the SAT does not.

ACT American College Test	SAT Scholastic Achievement Test
4 Sections: English: 75 Questions, 45 minutes Math: 60 Questions, 60 minutes Reading: 40 Questions, 35 minutes Science Reasoning: 40 Questions, 35 minutes Optional Writing Test: measures skill in planning and writing a short essay, 30 minutes	9 Sections: Critical Reading: 3 Sections totaling 67 Questions, 70 minutes Math: 3 Sections totaling 54 Questions, 70 minutes Writing: 25 minute essay question and 49 questions, 35 minutes
More Content Oriented Test, covers more learned material	Tests critical thinking & problem solving, more of an aptitude test
Accepted by virtually all colleges; alternative to the SAT Traditionally "the Midwest Test"	"The East Coast Test" (and West)
You may send only your best score	All scores are sent
4 individual scores and 1 composite score each on a scale of 1 -36	3 scores ranging from 200 - 800; perfect score = 2400
Math includes trigonometry and Algebra 2	SAT tests more vocabulary than the ACT
All multiple-choice test	Student derives ten math answers on own
Tests English grammar	Penalty for wrong answer
Questions do not appear in order of difficulty
Website to register: act.org	Website to register: collegeboard.com