ACT
The ACT is a standardized college admissions test accepted by all US universities, offering an alternative to the SAT with a different structure and a unique Science section.
Key Facts
- • Four sections: English, Math, Reading, Science. Optional Writing section.
- • Scored 1-36, with a composite score averaged across the four mandatory sections.
- • The Science section is the main structural difference from the SAT.
- • US universities accept ACT and SAT equally. Pick whichever you score higher on.
- • Test center availability outside the US varies by country and is often more limited than SAT.
How ACT differs from SAT
The biggest structural difference is the Science section: 40 questions in 35 minutes, testing data interpretation and reasoning rather than raw science knowledge. Students comfortable with graphs, tables, and quick pattern recognition often score higher on ACT Science than they would on equivalent SAT material.
The Math section allows calculators throughout and covers similar content to SAT Math but at a faster pace. Reading passages are traditional-length (not the short single-question passages of the Digital SAT).
Which one should international students take
Most international students default to the SAT because test-center availability outside the US is generally better for SAT. ACT testing sometimes requires traveling to another city or country, or waiting months for a local administration.
If you are naturally fast and confident under time pressure, especially with dense data-interpretation questions, ACT can be a better fit. Take a full-length diagnostic of each and compare concordance scores before committing to one.
Reviewed by Sprint Admissions Team · Updated May 2026
Related terms
SAT (Digital)
The SAT is a standardized college admissions test administered by the College Board. Since March 2024 it has been fully digital, shorter, and adaptive.
Superscore
Superscoring is a college admissions practice in which the school combines a student's highest section scores across multiple SAT or ACT sittings to form one composite 'super' score, rewarding students who retake the test and improve different sections at different times.
Test-Optional
Test-optional is an admissions policy under which a college does not require SAT or ACT scores, but will still consider them if submitted.