While there are similar mathematical concepts on both tests, students might find one or the other more difficult based on their own math skills. This is true of the tests themselves as well. The ACT isn't harder than the SAT or vice versa, despite what the myths say.
Short answer: there's no preference. A common myth is that elite colleges prefer the SAT over the ACT. In reality, all colleges and universities which require standardized testing accept BOTH the ACT and SAT. And college admissions counselors have openly stated they do not prefer one test over the other.
Is a 800 a good SAT score? A score of 800 is definitely low. It places you in the bottom 9th percentile nationally out of the 1.7 million test takers of the SAT entrance exam. The score indicates you've done a very poor job answering the questions on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections of the test.
Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.
You need to be actively preparing for the SAT, not just taking practice tests. Are you spending a certain amount of time studying each day, practicing tricky problems, learning new vocabulary, reading sources you're likely to find on the test, and working on math problems?
Some questions on the SAT Math test may include concepts that seem unfamiliar to you, but don't worry–all the topics tested on the SAT Math test are taught in your typical high school Pre-algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus classes.
The ACT is better if you're scoring in the lower percentiles because the average ACT question is a bit easier than the average SAT question, so that middle range is more attainable on the ACT.
Most colleges require either the SAT or ACT and express no preference for either test. Preparing for two major standardized tests may sound daunting, but there are some very good reasons to take both the SAT and ACT, and it's easier (and more affordable!) than ever before to prep for both tests.
10 ACT Score Improvement Tips
- Start Studying Immediately After A Test Date.
- Utilize Your Score Report.
- Improve Your Time Management.
- Work On Reading Quickly.
- Memorize Formulas And Rules.
- Get Enough Sleep Before The Test.
- Remain Calm.
- Utilize Process of Elimination.
The ACT courses are great for online self-prep, and allow you to save valuable by studying in any place you want. 3. By signing up, you'll get access to performance reports and statistics, so you'll know exactly the areas where you need to improve. 4.
Since it tests course content rather than the analytical ability that the SAT tests for, the ACT is an ideal choice for those who are good students. Though you may have covered a lot of the material in your classes, it's still a good idea to take an ACT prep course to help improve your score.
Just follow these six steps:
- Set a Goal.
- Learn the Test.
- Use the Best Resources.
- Make a Plan.
- Teach the Strategies.
- Dissect Mistakes.
Top 10 Ways to Prepare for the ACT
- Buy At Least Two Reputable Study Books.
- Learn the Most Frequently Tested Concepts.
- Get Inside the Heads of the Test-Makers.
- Use the Entire Time for Each Section.
- Plan Out a Reasonable ACT Study Schedule.
- Pinpoint Your Weaknesses and Attack Them.
- Get in the Mindset to Ace the ACT.
Ultimately, if you can afford it, we believe that spending thousands on SAT/ACT tutoring is worth it because of the return on your investment, both in the shorter term (scholarships) and long term (the higher value of a better school). Our recommendation? Hire high quality tutors with rates of $50-200/hr.
In the official SAT statistics published by ETS, the average combined improvement of test-takers is 60 to 70 points. That makes a 150-point improvement pretty darn good. A 300-point improvement is excellent.
Students who retake the ACT are generally looking to improve their scores. Of 2015 graduates who retested, 57% improved their Composite score on their second testing. However, 22% saw their Composite score decrease on their second test. To a point, students who retested multiple times tended to do better.
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You should only retake the test if you have good reason to believe the score will improve. And there's little point in retaking the test if the intrinsic score is below a 34, since in this case the likely outcome from retaking is a worse score.
How to Prep for BOTH the SAT and ACT
- Choose either the ACT or SAT to start: Read about the differences between the tests .
- Find a test date for your exam of choice that will allow you 3-6 months to prep: SAT Test Dates.
- Set your target score.
- Prep!
- Set a date for the other exam about a month after you take the first one.
Differences Between the PSAT and SATThe SAT is scored on a total scale of 400-1600, with math and verbal scores of 200-800 each. Because the test is meant to cover an additional school year of material, the SAT is a bit harder than the PSAT, particularly in the math section.
Total SAT Score
| Total SAT Score (Math + EBRW) | Percentile |
|---|
| 1560-1600 | 99+ |
| 1520-1550 | 99 |
| 1420-1430 | 95 |
| 1350 | 90 |
Students can take the SAT as many times as they want. We recommend that they take it at least twice—in the spring of their junior year and the fall of their senior year. Most students get a higher score the second time, and most colleges consider a student's highest SAT score when making admission decisions.
So here is the short answer: Yes, the SAT is hard. You have to sit in one place for almost four hours, all while answering questions that range from straightforward to head-scratching difficult. Oh, and the sections are all timed.
At the latest, a junior should take the SAT in March or May (March 8 is this year's first spring national testing date, and May is the next testing date). There are good reasons to take it in March or May. First, a reasonable amount of time will have passed since you received your October PSAT score report.
In the United States, the SAT is given 7 times a year: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. Although you may take the SAT any time starting freshman year, most students take it for the first time in the spring of their junior year and possibly retake it in the fall of their senior year.
In 2020, many colleges and universities cancelled the SAT or ACT score requirement for admissions, opting to go test-optional.
