SAT vs. ACT: A Calm & Clear Guide for Families
Choosing between the SAT and ACT can feel like yet another stressful decision in an already full college process. But it doesn’t have to be. With a little clarity, you can make this choice confidently and even bring a sense of calm to the process.
This post walks you through the major differences between the tests, the new changes to the ACT (including the Science section becoming optional), and how to decide which path fits your student best.
Why This Choice Matters
Choosing the right test is about more than checking a box.
It’s about helping your student use their energy wisely and feel confident on test day.
It’s about reducing anxiety, aligning with strengths, and keeping your family’s peace at the center of the process.
SAT vs. ACT: Key Differences at a Glance
Structure & Timing
SAT: Reading & Writing, Math (with/without calculator). Fewer questions, a bit more time per question.
ACT: English, Math, Reading, and optional Science (starting in 2025). Slightly faster pace, more questions.
Digital Updates
SAT: Fully digital and adaptive in most locations.
ACT: Available digitally or on paper.
Skills Emphasized
SAT: Deep reasoning and problem-solving.
ACT: Quick thinking and data interpretation.
Math Emphasis
SAT: Algebra-heavy, limited geometry and trigonometry, goes deep.
ACT: Broader math range including geometry and trigonometry, not as deep.
Science Section
SAT: Integrated reasoning in reading and math.
ACT: Standalone Science section—optional from 2025 onward.
What’s New: The ACT Science Section Is Now Optional
Beginning with the Enhanced ACT rollout in summer 2025, the Science section will be optional. Students will still receive a Science score, but the core composite will only include English, Math, and Reading.
Here’s what to know:
Only about 5–10 colleges currently require the Science section. Boston University is one example that has said it will require the Science score if students submit ACT results.
Many schools are still deciding how to treat the new format—some may recommend the Science section, while others may ignore it altogether.
For students interested in STEM fields or selective schools, it’s still smart to take the Science section at least once. It keeps future options open without committing to multiple retakes.
In other words: the ACT’s new flexibility means less pressure—but thoughtful planning still matters.
How to Decide Which Test Fits Your Student
A few reflective questions can help guide your choice:
1. How does your student test best?
Try one practice SAT and one ACT under timed conditions. Notice how your student feels—rushed, calm, confident, or overwhelmed? Comfort matters.
2. What are your target colleges’ policies?
Check whether your top schools are test-optional, and if any require or recommend the ACT Science section. Policies may shift for the 2025–26 cycle.
3. How does testing fit into your student’s life and mental health?
The “right” test is the one that supports well-being. A calmer, more confident student almost always performs better than an over-prepared, stressed one.
A Note on Perspective
No test defines your student’s potential.
The SAT and ACT are just tools, one small part of a much bigger story about who your student is and what they bring to a campus community.
Choosing a test with care (and calm) helps your student show up with confidence and that mindset will carry them far beyond test day.
Next Step: Plan Your Timeline
If you’d like to make this process easier, download my free guide:
👉 SAT & ACT Timeline: Your Pathway to Acceptance
It lays out when to take diagnostics, how to plan prep without burnout, and how to align testing with application goals so your student can stay grounded and on track.
Best Step: Join the workshop!
Door are now open for my workshop on December 10, 2025 at 7pm Eastern. In Testing Made Simple: How to Navigate the SAT, ACT, and the Test-Optional Landscape, for just $47 you’ll walk away with a solid testing plan and an actionable next step in the process to getting your student test prep ready.
