ACT vs SAT: How International Students Should Choose and Prepare
Every year, international students preparing for US university applications face the same question: should I take the ACT or the SAT?
The honest answer is that neither test is harder or better than the other in absolute terms. They suit different students. The goal is to figure out which one suits you, and then prepare properly for that test.
This article explains the key differences between the two tests, what each one rewards, and how to decide. It also covers what to focus on if you choose the ACT.
Why this choice matters
Both the ACT and SAT are accepted equally by all major US universities. No admissions office at Harvard, Stanford, or any other US institution prefers one over the other. Submitting an ACT score versus an SAT score carries no advantage or disadvantage in itself.
What matters is which test gives you a higher score relative to the applicant pool at the universities you’re targeting. A 35 on the ACT and a 1550 on the SAT are considered roughly equivalent and both strong. A 28 on the ACT and a 1250 on the SAT are not. Your goal is to find the test where your strengths put you in the best position.
Key differences between the ACT and the Digital SAT
Understanding the structural differences helps you make an informed choice.
ACT format (Enhanced ACT, effective spring 2025):
- English: 50 questions, 35 minutes
- Math: 45 questions, 50 minutes
- Reading: 36 questions, 40 minutes
- Science: 40 questions, 40 minutes (now optional — not required for a Composite score)
- Optional Writing (essay): 40 minutes
- Total: approximately 2 hours 5 minutes for English, Math, and Reading only
- Scored on a scale of 1 to 36
Digital SAT format:
- Reading and Writing: 54 questions, 64 minutes (two adaptive modules)
- Math: 44 questions, 70 minutes (two adaptive modules)
- Total: approximately 2 hours 14 minutes
- Scored on a scale of 400 to 1600
The most obvious structural difference is that the ACT has more sections while the Digital SAT has two. The ACT Science section is a key distinguishing factor and deserves attention of its own.
Note: The ACT underwent significant format changes starting in spring 2025. If you are using older preparation materials, verify that the format details still apply.
What the ACT Science section actually tests
Many international students hear “Science section” and assume they need to review biology, chemistry, and physics content. This is a common misconception.
The ACT Science section is primarily a data interpretation and reasoning test. It presents charts, graphs, tables, and experimental descriptions, and asks you to draw conclusions, identify patterns, compare results, and evaluate hypotheses. It does not require memorizing scientific facts or formulas.
Students who are comfortable quickly reading data representations and reasoning through unfamiliar experiments tend to do well on ACT Science, even without an advanced science background. Students who struggle with reading graphs quickly or reasoning under time pressure may find it harder.
Starting with the Enhanced ACT in spring 2025, the Science section is optional and does not factor into the ACT Composite score. However, some universities may still consider Science scores. Check individual university requirements before deciding whether to include it.
Timing and pacing differences
The Enhanced ACT gives students roughly 42 seconds per question in the English section and about 67 seconds per question in the Reading section. This is more time per question than the previous version of the test, but the ACT remains a faster-paced test overall compared to the Digital SAT.
Students who process language quickly and read efficiently often do well on the ACT’s English and Reading sections. Students who need more time to work through reading passages carefully may find the ACT’s pace difficult to sustain.
The Math section on the ACT covers a slightly broader range of topics than the Digital SAT Math section. ACT Math includes some trigonometry questions and a wider variety of geometry problems. On the other hand, the Digital SAT Math tends to have more multi-step algebraic reasoning and data analysis.
Neither test allows more or less math ability overall, but the specific topics tested differ.
Which type of student tends to do better on each test
This is not a strict rule, but it is a useful starting point.
Students who may prefer the ACT:
- Students with a strong science or STEM background who are comfortable with data interpretation
- Students who are good at consistent, fast reading across multiple question types
- Students who find 4-choice questions (the ACT uses 4 answer choices for most sections) easier to reason through than the Digital SAT’s mixed formats
- Students who want a single, non-adaptive test where every student gets the same questions
Students who may prefer the Digital SAT:
- Students who prefer more time per question
- Students who find shorter, focused reading passages easier to manage than longer multi-passage sets
- Students who are strong in algebra and data analysis
- Students who want a shorter overall testing experience
The most reliable way to find out is to take a full-length timed practice test for both and compare your results.
How to decide: the diagnostic approach
Before committing to one test, take one official full-length ACT practice test and one official full-length Digital SAT practice test under real timed conditions.
For the ACT, official practice tests are available free at ACT.org. For the Digital SAT, College Board provides practice tests through its Bluebook app and the Khan Academy partnership.
Compare your practice scores after converting them to the same scale. Several concordance tables published by College Board and ACT Inc. allow you to compare scores directly. Choose the test where your practice performance is stronger, all else being equal.
If your scores are similar on both, consider which test felt more manageable to sit through. Comfort and confidence matter on test day.
How to prepare for the ACT
If your diagnostic results point you in the other direction, you can skip this section and head straight to our guide on SAT preparation for international students.
If you choose the ACT, start with official materials from ACT.org. These include full-length practice tests that reflect the current format. Third-party materials can supplement your preparation, but official tests are the most accurate reflection of what you’ll face on test day.
English section: Focus on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetoric. The ACT English section tests editing skills, asking you to improve passages rather than analyze them. Common tested areas include comma usage, apostrophes, subject-verb agreement, and transitions.
Math section: The ACT Math covers pre-algebra, algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. Work through each area systematically and identify which question types are costing you points. A scientific or graphing calculator is permitted on the entire ACT Math section.
Reading section: Three reading passages in 40 minutes means approximately 13 minutes per passage. Practice reading efficiently and locating supporting details quickly rather than trying to memorize the passage. Focus on the question before rereading.
Science section: Practice interpreting charts, graphs, and experimental descriptions. The Science section rewards fast, accurate data reading more than content knowledge. Work on conflicting viewpoints passages, which require you to compare two or more scientific perspectives.
Optional Writing: Most US universities do not require the ACT Writing section. Check individual university requirements before registering. If you are not applying to schools that require it, you can skip it and reduce your total testing time.
When to take the ACT
ACT international test dates are listed on ACT.org. The ACT is offered internationally several times a year, though fewer dates are available than domestically. Confirm that the ACT is available at a test center near you before committing to it as your primary test.
For Grade 11 students, aim to take the ACT for the first time in the spring of Grade 11, with a retake available in the fall. This gives you enough time before Grade 12 application deadlines.
Students can take the ACT up to 12 times, though most find that two or three attempts is a reasonable limit.
Comparing ACT and SAT concordance scores
If you’ve taken both tests and want to compare your results, College Board and ACT publish official concordance tables that convert between the two score scales.
As a rough reference:
- ACT 36 is approximately equivalent to SAT 1590–1600
- ACT 34 is approximately equivalent to SAT 1520–1540
- ACT 32 is approximately equivalent to SAT 1460–1480
- ACT 30 is approximately equivalent to SAT 1400–1420
- ACT 27 is approximately equivalent to SAT 1310–1330
These are approximations. Use the official concordance tables on College Board’s website for precise comparisons.
Common mistakes when choosing between the ACT and SAT
Choosing based on what friends are taking. Your peers’ test preferences are not a reliable guide for your own performance. Take the diagnostic approach and let your own results inform the decision.
Preparing for both tests simultaneously for an extended period. It is worth taking practice tests in both to decide, but once you’ve made your choice, focus on one test. Splitting preparation energy between both tends to dilute results.
Assuming the test with the higher raw score is the better result. A 30 on the ACT and a 1400 on the SAT are not equivalent. Use concordance tables to compare properly.
Neglecting the ACT Science section. Students who assume Science is easy because it’s data-based often underinvest in practicing it. Fast data interpretation is a skill that improves with deliberate practice.
Using outdated preparation materials. The ACT updated its format significantly in spring 2025. Make sure any preparation materials you use reflect the current section structure and question counts.
A note for parents
Both tests are widely accepted, and choosing the right one for your child’s strengths can make a meaningful difference in their score. The diagnostic approach, taking timed practice tests for both, is the most reliable way to make this decision rather than relying on general advice.
If your family is planning a US university application and wants help thinking through the testing strategy alongside the rest of the admissions process, True North Education can help build a preparation roadmap that fits your child’s timeline and goals.
Looking for more ways to strengthen your application beyond test scores? Download our Free Guide: How to Stand Out in US Admissions.
Frequently Liked Questions
No. All major US universities accept both the ACT and SAT equally. There is no preference between the two tests.
The Science section tests data interpretation and reasoning, not memorized science content. Students who practice reading graphs and experimental results quickly can do well, regardless of their science background.
Most students benefit from three to six months of consistent preparation. Students starting from a lower baseline may need longer. Quality of practice matters more than total hours.
Yes. Many universities allow students to submit scores from both tests. Whether to do this depends on whether both scores are strong. Submitting a weaker score alongside a strong one is unlikely to help and may not be necessary.
This varies by institution. Highly selective universities typically see middle 50% ACT scores between 34 and 36. Selective universities vary from approximately 30 to 34. Many strong universities admit students with scores between 24 and 30. Always verify score ranges on each university’s official admissions page or Common Data Set.
Yes, the ACT is offered at international test centers in many countries. Availability varies by location. Check ACT.org for the current list of international test centers and dates.
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