Do colleges prefer the SAT or the ACT?

No. US colleges that consider test scores accept the SAT and the ACT equally and do not prefer one over the other. Choose the test your child scores higher on, and check whether any college on your list has a specific rule about ACT Science.

Is the ACT Science section required?

No. On the enhanced ACT, Science is optional and does not count toward the 1 to 36 composite score. Some colleges and STEM programs may still ask for it, so check the requirements of each college on your list before deciding.

Is the Digital SAT easier than the ACT?

Neither test is easier overall. The Digital SAT gives more time per question and uses short passages, while the ACT asks more questions in less time. Many students find one test noticeably more comfortable, which is why taking a practice test of each is the best way to decide.

Can my child take both the SAT and the ACT?

Yes, but it is usually better to pick one after a practice test of each and prepare for it fully. Preparing for both at once splits study time, and most students reach a higher score by focusing on the test that suits them.

SAT & ACT

SAT vs ACT in 2026: Which Test Should You Take?

Last updated: October 11, 2026

US colleges accept the SAT and the ACT equally, so the right test is the one your child scores higher on. The Digital SAT is adaptive and gives more time per question; the enhanced ACT is a fixed test with more questions in less time and an optional Science section. The fastest way to decide is to take one full practice test of each and compare the results.

The two tests side by side

	Digital SAT	Enhanced ACT
Total length	About 2 hours 14 minutes	About 2 hours 5 minutes (plus 40 minutes with Science)
Sections	Reading and Writing; Math	English; Math; Reading; Science (optional)
Questions	98 (54 Reading and Writing, 44 Math)	131 core (50 English, 45 Math, 36 Reading), plus 40 Science
Format	Adaptive: the second module of each section depends on how you did on the first	Fixed: every student sees the same questions
Score range	400 to 1600	1 to 36 composite (average of English, Math and Reading)
Calculator	Allowed on all of Math, with Desmos built in	Allowed on all of Math

Time per question

Pacing is the biggest practical difference. The Digital SAT gives about 71 seconds per Reading and Writing question and about 95 seconds per Math question. The enhanced ACT gives about 42 seconds per English question and about 67 seconds per Math or Reading question.

Students who work carefully but slowly often prefer the SAT. Students who read quickly and stay accurate under time pressure often do well on the ACT.

What each test feels like

Reading: the SAT uses many short passages, each with one question. The ACT uses four longer passages, each with several questions.
Writing and grammar: both test grammar, punctuation and clear expression. The SAT mixes these into Reading and Writing; the ACT has its own English section.
Math: both cover algebra, advanced math, geometry, trigonometry and data. The ACT tends to include a wider range of topics, while the SAT goes deeper on algebra and data analysis.
Science: the SAT has no science section, though some passages use science topics. The ACT Science section is optional and is scored separately from the composite.

How to choose in four steps

Check the colleges on your list. Almost all accept either test, but confirm whether any of them require or recommend ACT Science.
Take one full-length, timed practice test of each. Official SAT practice tests are free in College Board’s Bluebook app, and you can take a free SAT or ACT practice test on our site.
Compare the results on equal terms using a concordance table, and note which test felt more comfortable for pacing.
Commit to one test and prepare for it properly. Splitting preparation between both tests usually slows progress on each.