As some colleges and universities begin requiring standardized test scores again, students are deciding what tests they should take.

Students should take the SAT over the ACT. The SAT – which now does not stand for anything – tests reading, English, and math. It’s administered by College Board. The American College Testing (ACT) – administered by the organization of the same name – assesses reading, English, math, and science. While the SAT and the ACT are both standardized tests used in college admissions, there are benefits to taking one over the other. Ultimately, students should consider taking the SAT rather than the ACT.

Montgomery County offers the digital SAT for free in March, but does not offer the ACT.

“Another reason I took the SAT was because one of the ones that I took was free,” senior Erin Kelly said.

In 2023, 1.9 million students took the SAT, while 1.4 million took the ACT. The SAT’s popularity can allow students to easily look to others for advice and several resources online to help them study.

“I was more knowledgeable about the content, studying material, and the test itself. Also, many of my peers, like my sister and my friends, took the SAT, so I was more familiar with the format of the SAT,” senior Madison Watts said. 

The SAT also gives students more time per question. For example, the ACT math section allocates a minute per question (60 questions in 60 minutes), whereas the SAT math section allows students 1 minute and 35 seconds per question (44 questions in 70 minutes). 

“The SAT is two hours and 14 minutes. That’s 41 minutes shorter than the traditional ACT, with 67% more time per question so you can show what you know, not how fast you are,” the College Board website said.

However, some students prefer taking the ACT because of its shorter format.

“I do well in science and [with] shorter questions,” junior Molly Hansen said.

There are benefits to taking both tests, as they expose students to different types of questions, and provide students with the opportunity to excel on either test. 

“I did not seriously consider taking the ACT until I was fully prepared and focused on the SAT, so at that point, I did not think that it was worth switching over,” Watts said. “However, looking back, I would have liked to explore both options and evaluate the format, content, and material, and determine which test I preferred.”