ACT vs SAT Comparison

Here is an excellent visual to compare the ACT and SAT.

The most important point here is that colleges will accept either the SAT or the ACT.

Since you have the choice, the recommended first step is to take both—either officially or via a practice test—then decide which you prefer.

On the other hand, if you don't have time to try both or you would rather just jump into one, consider the following key differentiators:

The SAT favors stronger math students since 50% of the test is math while only 33% of the ACT is math.
The SAT is the sum of the scores of both Verbal and Math sections while the ACT is a composite (i.e. average) of the scores in English, Math and Reading sections. This means that if you bomb one section of the SAT, the entire score suffers. Bomb one section of the ACT, and scores in the other sections can increase the average.
The SAT offers fewer questions and more time per question. ACT offers more questions and less time per question. That said, ACT questions tend to be a bit more straightforward.
The SAT is digital and computer adjusted meaning your second module of each section maybe easier or harder depending on how you perform in the first module. The ACT, however, is mostly paper though there are more and more computer options available. But there is no computer adjustment on the ACT.

Bottom line, find the test that works best for you and focus on that one.

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