With all the recent changes to both the SAT and ACT, it can be confusing deciding which test is the better option. Let’s start by summarizing the upcoming changes to the ACT.
- The Science section will become optional. There will be a new “Core ACT,” which will include tests in English, Reading, and Math.
- Fewer questions overall and the removal of the 20-minute unscored section also help shorten the Core ACT to about 2 hours.
- Scoring will remain on a 1-36 scale, but the new composite score will not include Science.
- The changes will first be implemented for digital tests in spring 2025 (not expected to be widely available in Connecticut) and then for both paper and digital versions starting in September 2025.
The timing of this rollout, in the middle of the class of 2026’s testing season, leaves students with three primary options:
Option A: Take the SAT
Option B: Take the Current ACT
The last Current ACT will be offered in July 2025. If you plan to complete testing before the switch to the Core ACT, this could be a viable option for you.
Option C: Wait for the New Core ACT
This option is riskier, as students will only have one chance to take the new ACT before early decision deadlines, and only three opportunities before most regular decision deadlines.
In my opinion, those options should be ranked in this order. The SAT is the best option for nearly all students. It provides the most reliable pathway to improving your chances to get into one of your top-choice colleges. Also, by taking the SAT, you don’t have to worry about the switch over to the new ACT.
Let’s take a closer look at each test to better understand why the SAT stands out.
Math Section
In the past, if you were weaker in math, the ACT was often a better fit because math made up half of the overall SAT score, but a smaller portion of the ACT score. However, the SAT math section aligns better with the Common Core standards, which is what students here in Connecticut have been learning in school. The ACT math section doesn’t align as well with this curriculum, making the SAT a more suitable option.
Additionally, the integrated Desmos calculator available on the digital SAT is a game changer. I’ve seen many students significantly improve their SAT math scores by learning to effectively use this calculator, gaining more than 100 points with just a few hours of targeted practice.
Reading Section
For many students, the SAT reading section is easier to improve on compared to the ACT reading section. SAT passages are shorter and tend to suit the attention span of today’s students. The SAT questions are also highly predictable: starting with vocabulary, moving to literal comprehension, finding the main idea, interpreting infographics… With these distinct question types, students can develop clear strategies to tackle each, making preparation more manageable and effective.
English and Writing Section
The only notable advantage of the ACT is its English section, which is a great chance to improve your college admissions test score. I’ve seen students make significant progress here, with one student jumping from a 16 to a 32 on the ACT English. For those willing to put in the work, the ACT English section can offer promising gains.
Science Section
The ACT includes a science section, which many students find challenging. It’s also uncertain if colleges will accept the Core ACT without the science section, meaning you might need to take the science section anyway. This uncertainty undermines one of the key benefits of the ACT redesign, which aimed to make the test shorter and remove an unpopular section.
Testing Time
If you decide to take the ACT with science, the total testing time will be at least 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it longer than the SAT. More testing time also means more time spent on practice tests and reviewing them, time which could be better spent focusing on specific areas for improvement.
Prep Materials and Practice Tests
To date, ACT has provided very little information about the Core ACT—not a single practice test or any sample questions. This lack of resources makes it difficult to prepare effectively.
On the other hand, the SAT offers six official practice tests (with more promised soon), providing students with ample opportunities to familiarize themselves with the test format and question types. They also have a large question bank to provide additional practice, allowing students to drill down on specific topics.
Number of Test Centers
In Connecticut, the SAT is far more popular, so there are more test centers available. For instance, for the February 2025 ACT, there are only six test centers within 25 miles of Wilton, and the closest one is about a half-hour drive away. Meanwhile, the March 2025 SAT has 21 test centers available, including Wilton High School. For many students, the SAT ends up being a more convenient choice and you usually can find a spot even if registering at the last minute.
An Expert’s Perspective
I scored a 2400 on the old SAT, a 1580 on the redesigned SAT, and a 36 composite on the ACT. I have worked as a tutor throughout all the changes to the SAT, from the 2400 scale to the 1600 scale and now to the digital format. The first year of transition to a new test is always challenging due to limited official practice materials and ambiguity in tested content. For example, the ACT’s announcement about “deemphasizing” advanced math topics creates uncertainty for test preparation. Will topics like the laws of sines and cosines—previously reliable ways to improve scores—be eliminated entirely or simply reduced in frequency? This lack of clarity makes it difficult to develop focused study strategies. In contrast, the digital SAT offers a clear, predictable format with proven paths to improvement through strategic practice.
The SAT is simply a safer and more predictable option. With the digital SAT, each of my students that completed 24 hours or more of tutoring raised their score 200 or more points from their PSAT: the average improvement was 245 points! Many students score lower than expected on the PSAT in the fall of junior year, but with targeted practice, substantial improvements are achievable. Here’s a recent example from one of my students who improved over 100 points on each section through individualized practice on specific areas holding his score back:
This kind of improvement isn’t unusual with focused preparation and the right strategies. The predictability of the digital SAT format enables us to develop reliable approaches for each section, consistently leading to significant score improvements.
Why the SAT Is the Better Choice
In summary, the SAT offers distinct advantages that make it the recommended choice for nearly all students navigating the evolving college testing landscape. While the ACT’s English section is a notable strength, the SAT offers significant advantages in both math and reading, along with better overall testing conditions and resources. Choosing the SAT means fewer uncertainties and a clearer, more reliable path to achieving your college admissions goals.