Tutor Talk: SAT vs. ACT - What You Need to Know in 2026
Director of Tutoring Dickson Benesh has nearly three decades of experience as a classroom teacher and standardized test tutor. Having worked with hundreds of students across both the SAT and ACT, Dickson is sharing his tips on how to determine which exam is the best fit and how to prepare strategically for success.
If you’re trying to decide between the SAT and the ACT, you’re not alone. The good news is that colleges accept both tests equally, so you’re not making a “wrong” choice either way. What really matters is figuring out which test is the best fit.
Even though the SAT and ACT cover similar material, they feel very different. Because of that, many students end up strongly preferring one over the other.
Let’s talk about how students usually make the decision.
How Do Students Decide?
There are a few common approaches:
Some students take both tests (usually in the fall of junior year) and compare their scores using the ACT/SAT conversion table.
Others take a practice SAT and a practice ACT, then see which score looks stronger.
Some students use a diagnostic tool to help point them in the right direction before committing to a test.
If you’re working with College Solutions, there’s good news: we offer a complimentary diagnostic tool called RAI Launchpad. Just ask your counselor about it.
If you want to hear straight from the test makers themselves, you can also check out:
What are the Actual Differences Between the SAT and ACT?
You’ll often hear that the SAT is an aptitude test, and the ACT is an achievement test. In simple terms, that means:
The SAT focuses more on reasoning and problem-solving.
The ACT sticks closer to what you’ve learned in school.
Now let’s break down the differences.
What the SAT Is Like
The SAT is different in these ways:
There are fewer questions, but you get more time per question.
The questions tend to be more difficult, especially in math.
The Math section leans heavily toward algebra and often feels more like solving puzzles than doing routine problems like you would see in school.
You usually need a great deal of practice to get comfortable with the SAT’s question style.
Strong math students are more likely to separate themselves from the pack on the SAT.
The Reading passages are dense and require careful thinking, inference, and interpretation.
If math is one of your strengths and you enjoy thinking through challenging problems, the SAT may be a good match.
What the ACT Is Like
The ACT has a very different feel:
The questions look a lot like what you’d see in a typical high school class.
There are more questions and less time per question, so the pace is faster.
The questions themselves are usually more straightforward.
The Math section includes more Geometry and Trigonometry.
Many students need to review math topics they haven’t seen in a while (especially Geometry).
The Reading section rewards students who can skim efficiently and find answers quickly.
If you work well under time pressure and feel comfortable with school-style questions, the ACT might be your test.
So… Which One Should You Take?
If this feels like a lot to think about, you’re not alone. The main takeaway is that it’s usually smart to consider both tests at first.
Most students we work with eventually only take the SAT, but plenty of students benefit from trying both, either through practice tests or by sitting for the real tests.
But, you could also ask your College Solutions counselor about the complimentary diagnostic tool (RAI Launchpad) available to College Solutions students to help you decide. It’s a great way to make a confident decision without actually having to take both tests.
Tutoring & Test Prep
Want more personalized advice from our team? As part of our full-service approach to college advising, College Solutions offers tutoring and SAT/ACT prep as an add-on to our counseling packages for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. In collaboration with our knowledgeable counselors, our expert tutors create personalized learning plans for math, English, and/or standardized testing prep that align with students’ goals for college admissions and beyond.