Would it be a good idea for you to Take the ACT or the SAT?

You are staring at two acronyms and a lot of pressure: ACT or SAT. Which one should you take? Do you even need either test in 2025?

Both exams are college entrance tests. Most colleges accept both with no real preference. On top of that, many schools are now test-optional, which means you can apply without scores at all. Still, a strong score can boost your chances for admission and scholarships.

This guide will help you decide if you should take the ACT, the SAT, both, or maybe skip them, based on your strengths, goals, and the testing rules at the colleges you care about.

ACT vs SAT in 2025: What Are These Tests and Why Do They Matter?

The ACT and SAT are standardized tests that colleges use as one piece of your application. They sit beside your GPA, classes, essays, and activities.

Most colleges view them as equal. College Board’s BigFuture guide to SAT vs ACT and the ACT’s own comparison page back this up: schools rarely favor one test over the other.

At the same time, many colleges are now test-optional. That means:

You do not have to send scores.
If you send good scores, the school will consider them.
If you do not send scores, the school focuses more on your grades, courses, essays, and other parts.

A recent summary from Spark Admissions found that around 80 percent of colleges are test-optional for 2025 applicants, which you can see in their test-optional colleges list. Scores matter less than they used to, but they can still help, especially for merit scholarships or more selective schools.

How the ACT Works Today (Sections, Timing, and Format)

The ACT has four main sections:

English
Math
Reading
Science

There is also an optional Writing essay that some students take.

The full test (without the essay) runs a little under 3 hours, including short breaks. In some places, you can choose paper-and-pencil or a digital version. The content is the same either way.

Scoring is simple. Each section gets a score from 1 to 36. Your composite score is the average of those four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Students often worry about the Science section. It does not test if you remember biology facts. Instead, it is mostly about reading charts, tables, and short passages about experiments. If you can read data and spot patterns, you can do well, even if science is not your favorite class.

For a clear chart of ACT timing and structure, the ACT site has an official ACT vs SAT comparison.

How the SAT Works Today (Digital, Adaptive, and No Essay)

The current SAT is fully digital. You take it on a computer or school device using College Board’s testing app.

It has two main sections:

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Math

The test lasts about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is scored from 200 to 800, and your total score ranges from 400 to 1600.

The digital SAT is adaptive. That means the test has two stages for each section. How you do on the first part affects which set of questions you see in the second part. If you do well early, your later questions may be harder, but your score can also go higher. The scoring system is designed so the test is fair for everyone.

There is no separate science section and no essay. Some reading and math questions still include charts and data, but they are mixed into the passages instead of sitting in their own section.

For a student-friendly breakdown of the current digital format, Homework Hub Tutoring’s overview of the ACT vs SAT in 2025 is helpful.

What Colleges Really Think: Test-Optional, ACT, and SAT Policies

In 2025, many colleges are:

Test-optional: scores are welcome, not required.
Test-free or test-blind: they ignore scores even if you send them.
Test-required: they still need ACT or SAT scores.

FairTest keeps a large, updated test-optional and test-free list that shows how common flexible policies have become.

Most schools that accept scores will take either ACT or SAT. They rarely care which one you choose.

However, some colleges, certain majors, or honors programs still require tests. College Board’s list of colleges that require the SAT or ACT is a useful starting point, but always confirm on each college’s own website.

Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT That Actually Affect You

Facts and charts are helpful, but what matters is how each test feels when you take it.

Timing and Pacing: Do You Work Better Fast or With More Time?

The ACT gives you more questions in roughly the same total time as the SAT. That means less time per question.

Students often say the ACT feels like a sprint. If you read and decide quickly in class tests, you may be fine. If you often run out of time or need to reread, the ACT pace can feel stressful.

The SAT has fewer questions and a bit more time per question. It still moves, but the rhythm feels slower. If you like a moment to think before you choose an answer, that extra breathing room might help.

Sections and Content: Science Section or No Science Section?

ACT:

Has a required Science section.
Focuses on graphs, tables, and experiment summaries.
Tests data and reading skills more than memorized facts.
ACT Math includes Algebra 1 and 2, more geometry, and a touch of precalculus.

SAT:

Has no separate Science section.
Mixes charts and graphs into reading and math questions.
Math covers Algebra 1 and 2, some geometry, and a bit of trigonometry.

If you enjoy lab work, charts, and quick data questions, the ACT Science section might feel like a win. If science passages drain you, the SAT might feel cleaner.

Question Style: Straightforward Questions vs Multi-Step Problems

On the ACT, questions are usually direct. You read, you find the key idea, you pick an answer. The challenge is doing that quickly and staying focused through many questions.

On the SAT, many problems take a few steps. Math questions can feel like mini puzzles, and reading questions can be wordier. If you like working through multi-step problems and digging into details, that might feel good. If you prefer short, clear prompts, the ACT style may be more comfortable.

Format and Technology: Paper ACT or Digital SAT?

In many places, you can still take the ACT on paper, on a computer, or through school testing. The SAT is now almost always digital.

If screens make you nervous or you find it hard to read long passages on a device, you might lean toward the ACT paper option. If you are used to doing classwork and quizzes on a laptop, the digital SAT will probably feel normal.

Both tests include on-screen tools, such as a built-in calculator on the SAT and digital features on the ACT. You can learn these ahead of time in practice apps, so they do not surprise you on test day.

How to Decide: Should You Take the ACT, the SAT, Both, or Neither?

Here is a simple way to move from “I have no idea” to a clear plan.

Step 1: Check Your Colleges and Scholarships First

Make a short list of colleges that interest you, plus any big scholarships you might chase.

For each one, look up:

Are scores required, optional, or not considered?
Do they say anything about preferring ACT or SAT?
Do special programs, like engineering or honors, have extra rules?

Write this in a simple chart. This step alone may show you if you need to test at all.

Step 2: Take a Free Practice ACT and SAT at Home

Use official practice tests from ACT and College Board. In a quiet room, set a timer and follow the real timing as best you can.

Take one practice SAT and one practice ACT about a week apart. After each test, note:

Your scores
How the pacing felt
Which questions felt clearer
How tired or stressed you were

Treat these as experiments, not final judgments about your ability.

Step 3: Match Your Strengths and Weaknesses to Each Test

Ask yourself:

Do I read quickly and like science graphs? The ACT might match you.
Do I prefer taking time on multi-step math problems? The SAT might fit better.
Do I usually finish school tests early, or do I rush at the end? That points to ACT (faster) or SAT (slower).

Look at where you missed the most questions. You want the test where your weak spots feel fixable with practice, not where every section feels like a fight.

Step 4: Decide if You Should Take Both Tests or Focus on One

Taking both tests can help when:

You have time and energy.
You are not very anxious about testing.
Your practice scores are similar, and you want to see which real score lands higher.

Focusing on one test is better when:

You have a busy schedule or limited money for prep.
Testing makes you very stressed.
One practice test clearly felt better.

For most students, picking one main test and studying well pays off more than splitting attention.

Step 5: When It Might Be OK Not to Take Any Test

Skipping both ACT and SAT can be reasonable if:

Your whole college list is test-free or strongly test-optional.
You have strong grades, good classes, and solid activities.
You feel your scores would not reflect your work.

If you are unsure, taking at least one real test can keep more doors open. Policies can change, and you might add a new college to your list later.

College Essay Advisors hosts a helpful 2025–26 test-optional colleges list that can support this decision.

Simple Action Plan: Your Next 30 Days to Make a Smart Choice

You do not have to solve everything today. Use the next month to move step by step.

Week 1: List Colleges and Learn Their Testing Rules

List 5 to 15 colleges that interest you.
Visit each website and find the admissions testing policy.
Write down if scores are required, optional, or ignored.
Ask a counselor, teacher, or parent for help if something is confusing.

Week 2: Try One Practice SAT and One Practice ACT

Pick two mornings with no big plans.
Take a full practice SAT on one day and a full practice ACT on the other.
Score them and write down how each test felt in terms of pacing, stress, and question style.

Do not judge yourself. Just collect data.

Weeks 3 and 4: Pick Your Path and Make a Light Study Plan

By the end of week 3, choose:

ACT only
SAT only
Both tests
No test, if your colleges truly do not need scores

Then build a simple study plan:

15 to 30 minutes of practice on school days.
One longer practice block on the weekend.
One full practice test every 2 to 3 weeks.
Focus on your weak areas and review every mistake.

Conclusion

There is no single “best” test for everyone. The ACT and SAT are just tools, not a measure of your worth or your future.

If you check college rules, try both practice tests, and match the exam to your own strengths, you can make a calm, smart choice. Pick the path that fits your goals and your brain, then prepare at a steady pace. In the end, your grades, your effort, and the colleges that fit who you are will matter far more than three letters on a score report.

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