When it comes to college admissions, one of the most frequently asked questions is: "Which is better, the digital SAT or the ACT?" As much as we'd like to give a straight answer, it's not actually that simple. We'll compare the two exam systems and help you decide which one is better for you.
Obviously, the new digital SAT test is shorter than the old SAT test. However, on average there is more time per question on the digital SAT. Test takers who are slower readers may find that the digital SAT is much more relaxed.
➤Science section
The science section of the ACT is in some ways like the "English reading questions." It requires minimal science knowledge and mainly tests your reading comprehension on science tests. For candidates with slower reading speed, it is more appropriate to take the SAT. What about those who feel science is not their strong point? It means you don’t have to worry about not understanding “science”. With the right techniques, you can score high on the ACT science section, even if you're not interested in science.
➤For people who are good at math
For students who are good at mathematics, taking the digital SAT will be very advantageous. After all, the mathematics section accounts for 50% of the total score. You can use it to make up for lost points in the reading and writing sections. If math is one of your strengths, take the SAT. On the other hand, if math is your weak subject, you may want to take the ACT. Because the ACT math score will be averaged into your other scores, it won't have much impact on your overall score.
➤Improve your grades
Another thing to note is the exam's "scoring system." Because the ACT averages each section's scores to determine your scaled score, improving your score is more difficult. If you want to increase the total score by 2 points, you need to increase it by 8 points (at least 2 points for each part). However, the SAT adds up the scores from each section, which means a 300-point improvement (at least a 150-point improvement in each section).
➤「Computerized ACT"and「Adaptive Digital SAT"
Adaptive exams, similar to what they literally mean, will adjust the overall exam difficulty according to the level of the students.
The computerized ACT test is not adaptive. The digital SAT is an adaptive test: in the first section (reading and writing), a student's performance on the first module will determine the difficulty level of the second module. In other words, if a student does very well in the first module, the next English module will be more difficult. Students who do not score highly in the first module take the easier second English module. This adaptability also applies to the second section of the digital SAT (the math section).
Some students prefer the familiarity of fixed test types and questions like the ACT. Really think about which one suits your strengths better.
➤Do colleges prefer digital SAT or ACT?
You may already have an answer in mind, but the most important thing is which test the university "prefers". Don’t worry too much as all universities in the United States accept both exams.
➤Conclusion
So how do you choose which exam to take? Although not very flattering, the most troublesome but most effective method is to take each practice test and see which one you perform better on.
Still wondering which quiz to take? immediately with AEI Education course consultant contact, to learn more about your goals and the most suitable test planning direction!
