Janice Lozano
International students who want to attend college in the United States are often required to take either the SAT or the ACT as part of their college applications. While an increasing number of colleges and universities are dropping standardized test requirements, many still have SAT/ACT-optional policies in place, and some schools require applicants to submit SAT or ACT results. The SAT and ACT are designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level work and provide colleges with an indication of their potential for success. Both tests are available internationally, with the SAT being the more popular choice for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SAT/ACT Requirement | Many colleges and universities have dropped the requirement for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. However, some institutions still require them, and they can be useful for comparing students from different backgrounds and academic grading systems. |
| Language Proficiency | International students whose native language is not English may also need to take the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate proficiency. Some colleges may waive this requirement if the student achieves a certain score on the SAT or ACT. |
| Test Choice | The SAT and ACT are viewed equally by colleges, and international students typically choose based on where they think they can get a higher score. The SAT is generally more popular among international students, but the ACT may be better for those strong in English. |
| Test Format | The SAT is adaptive, meaning questions change based on previous answers, and it focuses on higher-level math and critical reading. The ACT is the same for all students on a given day and emphasizes science and English grammar. |
| Test Length | The SAT takes less time than the ACT. |
| Test Availability | Both tests are available at international testing centers and can be taken on a computer. |
| Test Fees | The Digital SAT international testing fee is $60 plus a $43 regional fee. Additional fees may apply for specific services. |
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What You'll Learn
SAT vs ACT: Differences
International students aiming to attend college in the United States often need to take either the SAT or the ACT as part of their college applications. While the SAT has traditionally been more popular than the ACT for international students, both tests are viewed equally by colleges, so students should choose the test based on where they can achieve a higher score.
The SAT and ACT are similar in that they are both designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level work and are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Both tests evaluate a student's skills in reading and math, but the SAT also includes an optional essay section and SAT subject test, while the ACT includes a separate English section and an optional writing section. The ACT also includes a science section, which makes it a popular choice for students interested in STEM fields. The SAT focuses more on higher-level math and critical reading, while the ACT places more emphasis on science and English grammar. The ACT also provides support for English learners on every national test date.
The SAT and ACT differ in terms of their format. The SAT is divided into 10 sections, while the ACT is divided into four sections. The SAT is a 3-hour test, while the ACT takes 2 hours and 5 minutes, or 2 hours and 45 minutes without the optional writing section. The SAT is now only offered online, whereas students can choose to take the ACT on paper or online. The ACT is the only standardized test to offer a test answer key, allowing students to see which questions they got right and wrong.
Experts suggest that students take a full-length practice test for each exam to determine which test is best suited for them.
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SAT vs ACT: Similarities
International students aiming to attend college in the United States are often required to take either the SAT or the ACT as part of their college applications. While there are some differences between the two tests, they are similar in several ways.
Firstly, both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests used to assess college readiness for undergraduate applicants. They are viewed equally by colleges, and most colleges accept either test. The SAT and ACT are meant to test students' knowledge and reasoning skills on an equal playing field, as everyone's curriculum and learning experiences may differ. Both tests evaluate a student's skills in reading and math, and they have very similar levels of average difficulty. The SAT and ACT are also similar in that they both offer an optional essay section.
Additionally, the SAT and ACT can be useful for comparing students from different backgrounds and academic grading systems. They provide college admission boards with a universal metric for consideration. For international students, the SAT has traditionally been more popular than the ACT, and it may be more appealing due to its reduced emphasis on reading and writing. However, the choice between the SAT and ACT ultimately depends on the student's educational background, academic strengths, and personal interests.
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SAT: Pros and Cons
The SAT is a standardized test used by colleges and universities in the United States to assess a student's readiness for college-level work. The test is designed to measure a student's mastery in three core areas: reading and writing, math, and an optional essay. Here are some of the pros and cons of the SAT for international students to consider:
Pros:
- Accepted by all colleges and universities in the United States: The SAT is a requirement for application to most universities in the US, and even those that have test-optional policies may favor applicants with strong SAT scores.
- May be used to determine eligibility for specific scholarships: A good SAT score can be a factor in merit-based financial aid decisions and can help students qualify for better scholarships.
- Historically more popular: The SAT is generally more popular among international students and has been taken by more students compared to the ACT. This means there may be more resources and preparation materials available for the SAT.
- Learnable test: The SAT is considered a learnable test, meaning that students can study and prepare for it to improve their scores. This can be especially beneficial for students with strong math skills, as math makes up 50% of the total SAT score.
Cons:
- Time and cost: Preparing for the SAT can be expensive and time-consuming, with test prep courses costing upwards of $1,000. Additionally, the exam itself costs $60, or $68 to include the essay portion.
- Stress and pressure: Many students find standardized testing stressful and pressurizing, especially considering the perceived importance of SAT scores in college admissions.
- Not a singular predictor of college readiness: While the SAT is designed to assess college readiness, it is not the only factor that determines a student's success in college. Other factors, such as high school GPA and extracurricular activities, also play a significant role.
- May not favor strong writers: The SAT has been criticized for favoring students with stronger math skills over those with stronger writing skills. The ACT, in comparison, has an optional essay section that can be an advantage for students with strong writing abilities.
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ACT: Pros and Cons
International students aiming to attend college in the United States are often required to take either the SAT or the ACT. These exams are used to assess the critical thinking and reasoning skills of students, and to ensure they are ready for college-level work. While the SAT is generally more popular among international students, the ACT has its own pros and cons that students should consider when deciding which exam to take.
Pros of the ACT
- The ACT is accepted by all colleges and universities in the United States.
- The questions are considered to be more concise and clear than SAT questions.
- Each section of the test is weighted equally and scored based on correct answers only (no penalty for guessing).
- Students can choose which scores to send to colleges.
- The optional essay section can be an advantage for students with strong writing skills.
- The ACT offers greater flexibility and choice for students to tailor their test experience.
- The test is becoming more flexible and less time-consuming, with fewer questions overall and a shorter test length.
- The ACT provides additional accessibility features, such as support for screen reader users, text-to-speech functionality, zoom, and answer masking.
Cons of the ACT
- The ACT may not be the best choice for students with stronger math skills, as the SAT may favour those with stronger math skills since math scores account for 50% of the total SAT score.
- The ACT has a designated science test section, which can require more studying and preparation.
- The ACT has more questions to answer in less time than the SAT.
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Test-optional policies
International students applying to colleges in the United States are usually required to take either the SAT or the ACT. These exams are meant to test students' knowledge and reasoning skills, ensuring they have the critical thinking and reasoning skills needed to succeed in college. However, in recent years, many colleges have started adopting test-optional policies, allowing applicants to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
While the SAT and ACT are viewed equally by colleges, international students typically score higher on the math sections of standardised exams due to variations in math education quality across countries and the extra language challenges in the verbal sections. The SAT is generally more popular among international students, possibly because the verbal sections now account for half the exam score, reducing the emphasis on reading and writing. Additionally, the SAT no longer includes obscure vocabulary words, making it slightly easier for non-native English speakers.
The SAT and ACT have some key differences. The SAT focuses more on higher-level math and critical reading, while the ACT emphasises science and English grammar. The SAT is divided into ten sections, while the ACT has four. The ACT also has a required essay section, whereas the SAT offers it as an option. When deciding between the SAT and ACT, international students should consider their educational background, academic strengths, and personal interests, as well as the preferences of their desired colleges.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students planning to apply to college in the U.S. are generally required to take either the SAT or ACT.
The SAT focuses more on higher-level math and critical reading, while the ACT places more emphasis on science and English grammar. The SAT is also an adaptive test, meaning the questions change based on a student's previous answer, while the ACT is the same for every student taking the test on the same day.
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the student's educational background, academic strengths, and personal interests. The SAT and ACT are viewed equally by colleges, so students should choose the test they believe they can score higher on.
International students can register for the SAT through the College Board's official website. For the ACT, students can register through the ACT's official website.
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