Neither the SAT nor the ACT is objectively easier. See the key format differences that affect difficulty, and how to tell which test is easier for you.
Larry Learns
Neither is objectively easier. Here is how to find the one that suits you.
The honest answer is that neither test is universally easier. They cover similar material and lead to the same place, since colleges accept both equally and have no preference between them. What differs is the format, and the right question is not which test is easier in general, but which is easier for you. The differences below will help you tell.
SAT vs ACT: The Differences That Affect Difficulty
Both tests are now shorter than they used to be. Here is how they compare today:
Feature
SAT (digital)
ACT (enhanced)
Sections
Reading and Writing, Math
English, Math, Reading (Science optional)
Length
About 2 hr 14 min
About 2 hr 5 min (core)
Format
Digital and adaptive
One section at a time
Science section
None
Optional, not in the main score
Score scale
400 to 1600
1 to 36
Penalty for wrong answers
None
None
One recent change matters here: the ACT made its Science section optional, and it no longer counts toward the main 1 to 36 Composite score. That removes what many students found to be the hardest part of the old ACT, unless your school or state requires it.
The SAT Might Be Easier If...
You want more time per question. The SAT generally gives you more time per question than the ACT, which can make it feel less rushed
You would rather avoid a data-and-charts section. The SAT has no standalone science section at all
You like a shorter, adaptive test. The digital SAT adjusts to your performance and is taken on a screen with built-in tools
You prefer reading questions tied to short passages rather than long ones
Loading practice questions...
The ACT Might Be Easier If...
You work quickly and efficiently. The ACT rewards a faster pace, and if speed is a strength, that plays to your favor
You like straightforward, predictable questions. Many students find the ACT phrasing more direct
You are strong in the specific grammar and reading styles the ACT English and Reading sections use
You enjoy science reasoning, in which case the optional Science section can even be an advantage on a STEM score
How to Decide Which Is Easier for You
The most reliable way to find your easier test is to try both:
Take a timed practice section of each. Notice not just your score but how the test feels, whether the pacing and question style suit you
Compare your scores fairly. Use the official SAT-to-ACT concordance to line up a practice SAT score against a practice ACT score, so you are comparing apples to apples
Pick the one where you do better and feel more comfortable, then focus your prep entirely on that test
Neither is universally easier. It depends on your strengths: the SAT gives more time per question and has no science section, while the ACT is faster paced and more straightforward. The easier test is the one that fits how you work.
Do colleges prefer the SAT or ACT?
No. Colleges accept both tests equally and have no preference. Take whichever one you score better on.
Is the ACT Science section still required?
No. As of the enhanced ACT, the Science section is optional and does not count toward the main 1 to 36 Composite score, unless your school or state requires it for an in-school administration.
Which test gives you more time per question?
The SAT generally allows more time per question than the ACT, which is part of why some students find it less rushed.
Should I take both the SAT and ACT?
Usually not. Most students do better focusing all their prep on one test. Try a practice section of each, pick the one that suits you, and commit to it.
