These are 2 standard American tests that you take before college. They show your readiness for college. In this article, we will discuss what test is better suitable for you, how you should prepare for them and information in general.
First of all, if you think that one test is easier than the other, you are mistaken. But one may be more suitable for you. To find out how, just take both practice tests online. Khan Academy has a practice test. The structure of both tests is different. The time for SAT given is 3 hours, which is almost 4 hours if you are writing it with an optional essay. The time for ACT that is given is 2 hours 55 minutes, though with an optional essay it will take up 3 hours 30 minutes. The SAT has 154 questions that cover Math, Reading and Writing. The ACT has 215 questions that cover Math, Reading, English and Science. The average time for each question is 1 min 10 seconds on SAT compared to 49 seconds on ACT. Both tests have multiple choices but there are more of those on ACT.
The score system is very clear, in my opinion. The maximum score for ACT is 36. It is extremely rare that someone would get perfect 36 or even a 35. Because you are probably a challenger thinking it is easy (for some people it actually might be), here are the numbers: 0.195% scored perfect 36 points (5 times less than 1%) and 0.78% scored a 35. The SAT points are out of 1600. The competition is tough here as well. The range from 1570-1600 on SAT is equivalent to getting a 36 on ACT. The range from 1530 to 1560 on SAT is equivalent to getting a 35 on ACT. The competition is pretty high everywhere.
It is reported that 1.9 million grade 11s and 12s took ACT, while 2.1 million test-takers took SAT. In the last 10 to 5 years students took both of the tests. Also, less and less people take an optional essay each year. While many colleges do not require the optional essay, in my opinion it is better to take one. The college you are applying to may have a better opportunity to assess your skills by. Or you might get accepted in a university that requires/recommends it.