Into The Weeds: ACT Versus SAT Math

by Vickie Barone

Note: This is intended as a companion post to Into The Weeds: ACT versus SAT Reading Comprehension.

Which test should I take? Should I decide base on my total score? my math score?

These are the most frequently asked questions, and the answers will be different for every student. The SAT and ACT math sections are similar in their level of difficulty and they test similar concepts, but they do it in very different ways. In either case, one of the most important things to know is that: you need to complete Algebra 2 before taking either the ACT or SAT.

“Math-y”Kids Easily Excel on Either ACT or SAT Math

If you are a math whiz or math lover, you’ll probably do really well on either the ACT or SAT math section. If math is your strong suit, it probably makes more sense to choose between the SAT and ACT based on how you do on the other sections.

If math isn’t your strongest subject, careful consideration of which test to take can save you a lot of time and energy, since you’ll be able to focus your efforts sooner rather than later. As tutors, we recommend that you complete a full, timed practice test of both the SAT and the ACT. Then we can look at the results together to analyze whether one is a clear “winner.”

However, there are some students who perform similarly on both the ACT and SAT diagnostics. That means it’s time to get into the weeds to choose the right test for you.

SAT and ACT Math: Key Content Differences

First, it’s a good idea to consider your particular strengths and weaknesses in math. Some students love algebra but really struggle with geometry, or vice versa. Understanding your preferences and abilities can lead you to choose one test over the other.

Here are the most important content differences that could influence your decision:

The ACT includes more geometry and trigonometry questions. SAT math currently features six questions on these topics, while the ACT may contain anywhere from 20 to 27 questions on geometry and trig! That can be close to 50% of the questions on the test. While students with a firm grasp of geometry and trigonometry may find this comforting about the ACT, students who struggle with or dislike geometry and trigonometry may be better off taking the SAT.
The SAT provides some key formulas at the beginning of each section. This also benefits students who are not as strong in geometry and trigonometry, saving them from having to memorize area and volume formulas, or the relationships between sides of special right triangles. For the ACT, a student will need to memorize these formulas, as they are not provided.
ACT math also contains a few questions on matrices, logarithms, permutations, and graphs of trig functions. Even though there will only be about three to four questions total on these advanced topics, students who want to ace the ACT should definitely practice these content areas. If you’re uncomfortable with these topics, the SAT is probably a better choice, since the SAT doesn’t ask about these areas.

Math = 50% of Your SAT Score

Math = 25% of Your ACT Score

Since the SAT has only two main sections — verbal and math — your math score comprises 50% of the total score. For a student who is very strong in math, the total SAT score may highlight that fact. The ACT, on the other hand, contains four sections, so the math score only makes up 25% of your composite ACT score.

As a result, if you are a really strong math student, you may be tempted to think that “I’ll take the SAT because then my great math score will count more.” This may be true, but it’s also important to factor in your verbal skills before making your final decision. In our experience, the SAT Reading section so highly favors strong readers that it can outweigh your math skills. If you struggle with reading comprehension, the ACT might be better overall, even if you have to brush up on some of those geometry and trig skills.

The ACT Math Section Format Is Simpler

The ACT math section format can be summed up very simply: Students have 60 minutes to answer 60 multiple choice questions. Calculators are permitted on all test questions.

The SAT math format, on the other hand, is a lot more complicated. It has 58 questions, but is divided into two sections: one section of 20, where a calculator is not allowed, and one section of 38, where a calculator is allowed. Students get 25 minutes to complete the shorter section and 55 minutes for the longer. Each section is further divided, starting with multiple choice questions, and finishing with open-ended, “grid-in” questions, where no choices are provided.

On both tests, all questions have equal weight in scoring, so it is always better to complete the easier questions as quickly as possible. This is why I always recommend that students skip over any questions they find more difficult on the first pass through whichever test they are taking.

This strategy is relatively easy to implement on the ACT, as the questions generally get progressively harder as you work through the exam. This means that students are naturally working their way through the easy questions early on, and saving the more difficult ones for the end.

The SAT math question difficulties also tend to go from easier to harder, but it happens within each multiple choice portion and each grid-in portion on each of the two sections, so there are four distinct difficulty ramp-ups. Trying to strategize about how to approach the SAT math then feels a lot more complicated. I often recommend skipping around to the easiest ones first, but you have to practice to know where to find them. Remembering where to look for the easy questions on the SAT can be difficult on the day of the actual test when you’re nervous.

I also recommend that students who have trouble finishing the SAT math sections in the time allowed do the grid-in questions first. If you’re running out of time, it’s reasonable to guess on a multiple choice question, but impossible to guess the correct answer for a grid-in question. These strategies can be developed with practice, but the simplicity of the ACT makes this extra time management planning unnecessary.

Furthermore, on the ACT math section, you can always return to any question during the test. On the SAT, you might run out of time to work on a few questions during the first section without your calculator, and end up with extra time on the second, but you will not be permitted to go back and work on the ones you missed. Understanding time management — as well as your feelings and anxieties around this issue — will help guide you to make the right choice between the SAT and ACT.

ACT Math Questions Are Simpler

The SAT features many questions that have long, wordy setups, require multiple steps to complete, and/or contain “tricks” that will complicate solving them. On the SAT, you may spend a significant amount of time decoding what a question means before attempting to answer. This is not nearly as common with ACT questions. ACT math questions are generally more straightforward and feel more like questions students might see on a regular math test in school.

The SAT gives a bit more time per question to make up for this difference in complexity, but it really depends on each student’s comfort level with the trickier questions to decide whether it’s worth the tradeoff. This is another thing that contributes to the difficulty of managing time on the SAT, because it can take longer to decide whether a question is easy and should be done right away.

Practice Is the Key to Success

In the end, choosing between the two tests is a personal decision. No matter which test you choose, the best thing you can do to prepare for the math section is to practice as many questions as you can. When you become more familiar with the questions asked on the test, you can answer them more efficiently and confidently. As you practice, you can identify areas or question types that may be particularly difficult for you and seek out more of them to try.

This is also where a tutor can be most helpful: When you have already identified the “sticky” areas, we can help you get unstuck. The most important thing to remember is that each test can be mastered with enough practice! Please reach out to find out more about how we can help you choose and prepare for the ACT or SAT.