How do SAT and ACT compare?

	ACT	SAT Reasoning
Test Fee	$33.00($48.00 w/ writing test option)	$47.00
Test Purpose	Measures academic achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Writing skill also measured if option is taken.	Designed to measure academic apptitude in critical reading, writing, and numerical reasoning
Test Content	English - 25% Mathematics - 25% Reading - 25% Science Reasoning - 25%	Critical Reading - 33.3% Mathematics - 33.3% Writing - 33.3%
Scoring	Scores based on number of correct answers. No penalty for guessing	Scores adjusted for guessing. Incorrect responses carry a penalty od 1/3 or 1/4 of a point
Score Scales	English - 1-36* Mathematics - 1-36* Reading - 1-36* Science Reasoning - 1-36* Act Composite: - 1-36* (Average of four test areas.) *NB: The score of the writing option does not affect either subject area or composite scores	Critical Reading - 200-800 Mathematics - 200-800 Essay - 200-800 SAT Reasoning Total - 600-2400 Sum of three test areas)
	Testing of each content area in one block of time with the writing section at the end of the test. Science reasoning section Math section includes trigonometry Vocabulary less important No guessing penalty English grammar tested Math accounts for 25% of your score Easy & hard questions mixed within sections Report scores only from the test dates you choose	Testing of content areas is broken up into 10 sections with the essay at the beginning. The content area sections are intermixed No science section No Trigonometry Vocabulary emphasized Non-multiple choice questions included Guessing penalty Math accounts for 50% of your score Questions go from easy to hard in most sections Report scores by test date. If selection is not made, allDAT scores autimatically will be sent