The ACT vs SAT in 2025, What's the Difference?

homeworkhubtutoring.com • August 20, 2025

The ACT vs SAT in 2025, What's The Difference?

As a parent, it's normal to worry about the changes to college admissions tests that your child will face. The SAT transitioned to digital earlier this year, and now the ACT is set to receive an update in 2025. These shifts aim to make testing shorter and more flexible, which could help reduce some of the pressure on students. The ACT and SAT both shared details about their updated tests, and we're here to break it down for you.

What Parents Need to Know About the ACT

The ACT is designed to give students more choices and a smoother experience. Here's a quick look at the key features:

Test Format: Students can take it on paper or digitally, depending on what works best for them.
Structure: It's straightforward – every student receives the same questions, ensuring fairness and predictability.
Sections: English, Math, Reading, with Science as an optional add-on.
Essay/Writing: Optional, and most colleges don't require it anyway.
Total Test Time: About 2 hours and 5 minutes for the core sections, or 2 hours and 40 minutes if Science is included – shorter than the old version.
Time Per Question (Average): English receives approximately 42 seconds, Math about 67 seconds, Reading 67 seconds, and Science 60 seconds, allowing kids a bit more time to think.
Math Topics: Covers basics like pre-algebra, algebra I and II, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, and simple stats.
Calculator Policy: Allowed for the whole Math section.
Answer Choices: All multiple choice, with 4 options in Math.
Scoring Scale: 1-36 for each section, and the composite score is the average of the three core sections.
Test Dates: Seven national dates each year.
Prep Carryover: If your child has studied for the old ACT, that work still counts.

Key Details on the SAT

The SAT has gone fully digital, which means students need to become more comfortable with testing on a screen. There were also a few minor changes to the test in general, so here's what stands out:

Test Format: Digital only.
Structure: Adaptive – the questions get harder or easier based on how the student does.
Sections: Reading and Writing combined into one section, plus Math.
Essay: No essay at all.
Total Test Time: 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Time Per Question (Average): About 71 seconds for Reading and Writing, and 95 seconds for Math.
Math Topics: Includes algebra (like linear equations and systems), advanced math (quadratics, polynomials, exponentials), data analysis (ratios, graphs, percentages), and geometry/trig (area, angles, circles, volume).
Calculator Policy: Allowed for all of Math.
Answer Choices: Mostly multiple choice, but some questions ask for student-produced answers.
Scoring Scale: 200-800 per section, with a total out of 1600.
Test Dates: National dates, plus some schools offer it during the school day.
Prep Carryover: The digital and adaptive setup means you'll likely need new study plans.

How the Formats Are Changing

Both tests are trying to make things easier on students by cutting down on length and complexity, making it more straightforward for students.

For the ACT, Science is now optional, just like the Essay. This changes the core sections to English, Math, and Reading, with fewer questions overall, shorter reading passages, and four choices for Math answers.
The SAT combines Reading and Writing, skips the essay, and uses an adaptive system that adjusts to the student's performance, which could play to their strengths or add extra challenge.

Timing Updates

ACT: Core test is 2 hours and 5 minutes, or 2 hours and 40 minutes with Science. Students get more time per question (42-67 seconds), which might help those who work at a steady pace.
SAT: Total of 2 hours and 14 minutes, with 71-95 seconds per question. It's a consistent flow, but digital skills are a must.

What Hasn't Changed

ACT: Still offers paper or digital, non-adaptive questions, and the 1-36 scoring.

SAT: Digital format with the 200-800 per section (1600 total) scoring.

Comparing the New ACT and SAT

The ACT and SAT are now closer in duration because of the ACT's shorter reading passages and questions. This provides a more predictable pace, easing time pressure for students who may struggle under pressure. In contrast, the SAT's adaptive format adjusts question difficulty based on performance, which can challenge high-achievers but may unsettle those who struggle with unpredictability. The ACT's optional Science section and linear, non-adaptive structure cater to students who excel in consistent settings or need to showcase science skills for specific college programs, such as engineering. On the other hand, the SAT's fixed, essay-free digital format demands comfort with technology and adaptability, making it critical to align your child's strengths and college goals with the test that best suits them.

Test Dates to Keep in Mind

ACT: Seven national dates yearly for plenty of chances.

SAT: National dates plus school-day options in some places.

Making Use of Old Prep

ACT: Existing study materials and practice still work well.

SAT: These changes mean your student will need updated resources for the new digital adaptive format.

Advice Based on Your Child's Grade

12th Graders (Class of 2025): These updates probably won't affect you, as testing wraps up before they roll out.

11th Graders (Class of 2026): You can test both versions; stick to your current prep schedule.

10th Graders and Younger (Class of 2027+): There's time to try out both and see which one fits best for college applications.

Why Test Scores Matter More Now

Grade inflation has amplified since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to higher GPAs across schools. This makes it harder for colleges to gauge a student’s true academic readiness from transcripts alone. Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT serve as a consistent benchmark, helping admissions teams fairly compare applicants from diverse backgrounds. Over 100 top colleges, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, require these scores for the 2025-2026 cycle, emphasizing their importance. Strong preparation for these exams is critical to help your child stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Working with a counselor or tutor can guide your child to excel in this evolving admissions landscape.

< Older Post

By hwh • May 25, 2023

7 Common App Essay Prompts

Attention Juniors: Make Sure to Get That Letter of Recommendation!

By hwh • May 12, 2023

Before leaving school for the summer, students should make sure to request their letters of recommendation as they are a crucial part of their college application. Typically, a student's counselor and two teachers complete these letters, but it is important to check each school's website for specific application requirements. Private colleges usually require at least one counselor and one or two teacher recommendations. Many colleges consider these letters to be of considerable or moderate importance in their admissions decisions. Therefore, students should ask their teachers for letters early, especially if they are having a successful year with a particular teacher. Although the letters of recommendation do not need to be submitted until the fall, teachers will have more time to give the letter more thought and write with more substance. These letters can also help determine who is awarded scholarships and who is admitted into a school's honors program, so it is essential to secure excellent recommendations and maximize their effectiveness. Here are some tips to help students secure excellent letters of recommendation: Build strong relationships with teachers and counselors Choose someone who teachers a core subject Ask for the letter in person Provide necessary information and materials Meet deadlines and follow up with a polite reminder Thank teachers for their help and support. Build strong relationships with teachers and counselors: When choosing who to ask for a letter of recommendation, it's important for students to choose wisely. Ideally, they should request a letter from a junior year teacher who has taught them in a core subject area. The teacher should know the student well enough to write a thoughtful and insightful recommendation that highlights the student's class performance, whether that means improvement, outstanding achievement, or both. The recommendation should reflect the student's talents, abilities, and contributions in the context of the classroom. It's important for students to ask a teacher whose class they actively participate in and get good grades. For online learning, the student should choose a class where they regularly participate in virtual discussions and activities and have their camera turned on during live sessions. Ensure that the person writing the recommendation is someone who has a favorable opinion of the student. Since most of the time students and parents won't have access to the letter, it's important to choose someone the student feels at ease with. Choose someone who teaches a core subject : It is important to choose a teacher who teaches a core subject. Some colleges require that at least one (or all) recommendation letters must be from a core subject teacher, which includes math, English, social science, science, or world language. If additional recommendation letters are allowed, students should think about the subjects or activities they are most involved in. For instance, someone in a research program may include their program director as an additional recommender. Moreover, a yearbook editor coach, or other adult mentor may provide a supplemental recommendation. Ask for the letter in person: Prior to adding a teacher's name as a recommender in the Common Application or Coalition Application, it is important for students to directly ask the teacher if they would be willing to write a recommendation. This demonstrates that the student values the teacher's time and opinion and is committed to the application process. If speaking to the teacher in private is not feasible, the student can send an email to request the recommendation. Only after the teacher has agreed to write the recommendation should the student add the teacher's name to the application. Provide necessary information and materials: After receiving confirmation from the recommender, it is essential for students to provide them with all the necessary information that they can use to write a strong letter and submit it on time. This includes the student's full name, email address, phone number, college deadlines, and specific examples of the student's achievements, improvements, or contributions in that teacher's subject and class. It is recommended that students only provide their resume to their teacher if they are asked to do so, as it may give the teacher a better overall picture of the student. It is important to remember that the recommender will likely write one general letter to be sent to all the schools the student is applying to, so the letter should not be tailored to any specific school. Meet the deadlines and follow up with a polite reminder. It's important for students to keep track of the deadlines for each application type and make sure that their recommenders are aware of the deadlines as well. They should give their recommenders enough time to write a thoughtful letter and submit it before the deadline. It's a good idea for students to follow up with their recommenders a few weeks before the deadline to make sure that they have everything they need and are on track to submit the letter on time. Thank teachers for their help and support: It's important to note that giving a gift card to a teacher or recommender is not necessary or expected. Teachers and recommenders are there to help students and want to see them succeed. A heartfelt thank-you note or a small token of appreciation, such as a handwritten card or a baked treat, can be a thoughtful way to express gratitude. For more information about letters of recommendation, please visit: https://www.homeworkhubtutoring.com/copy-of-college-advisory or c all 631-673-7250 or text 516-423-2543 to learn more.

The New Digital SAT/PSAT

By hwh • April 14, 2023

The testing organization will administer the first digital PSAT test in fall of 2023 and the first digital SAT in the US in March of 2024. College Board recently confirmed that the fall of 2023 PSAT test will be the first digital test available. However, any national SAT tests or SAT School Day tests administered during a school test day in the fall of 2023 will be on paper. The PSAT test will change to a digital format beginning in the fall of 2023. Schools and testing centers in the U.S. will offer the first digital SAT test in the spring of 2024. The PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 will be delivered digitally in 2023 with the PSAT 10 following in 2024. (The last pencil and paper PSAT 10 will be given in spring 2023) The SAT test will last approximately two hours, which reduces overall testing time by about an hour. The new digital format will be adaptive, meaning it will vary slightly from student to student. The new digital format will consist of two modules of varying difficulty. After the first module, one of two potential second-stage modules will be administered. The difficulty of module 2 is dependent on module 1 performance. On the digital version, questions that test similar skills and knowledge are grouped together and arranged from easiest to hardest. The most significant changes to the new digital version of the tests will be within the reading and writing sections. College Board confirmed that this move to a digital format will change some aspects regarding the content of the test, though the new digital test will continue to evaluate the same core skills of reading comprehension, making inferences, evaluating informational graphics, editing for grammar, and editing text to achieve a rhetorical purpose. Here are some key differences on the reading/writing sections: The digital version of these tests will feature more direct questions and short excerpts instead of full-length reading passages: 25-150 words per passage compared to 350-750 words per passage on the current version, with one question per “passage.” Average time per question on the new digital format is 1.19 minutes compared to 1.25 minutes on the current version. On the reading section, there will be no more line references on the new digital version. Instead, portions of text are underlined. On the reading section of the digital version, “Craft & Structure” makes up 28% of the questions, with “Information and Ideas” accounting for 26% of the questions. On the writing section of the new digital test, “Standard English Conventions” accounts for 26% of the questions (compared to 21% on the current version), and “Expression of Ideas” 20% (compared to 25% on the current version). College Board has also announced the following changes to the math sections when it shifts to the digital format: Students will be allowed to use calculators on every math question of the new digital test. Students can use their own calculator or use the calculator built into the exam application (Bluebook aap). Average time per question is 1.6 minutes on the new digital format, compared to 1.25 minutes (no calculator) and 1.45 minutes (with calculator) on the current version. The new digital test will contain shorter word problems—generally 50 words or less. “Grid-ins” are now called “free response.” There appears to be a slight increase in the number of more difficult math questions, but the same four concepts are tested: Algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry. Scoring out of 1600 Implications for students: Class of 2023 (Current 12th Graders) These changes will not impact students who attend high school in the US and will graduate in the Class of 2022 or the Class of 2023. They’ll graduate before the PSAT or SAT test transitions to the new digital format. Class of 2024 (Current 11th Graders) For U.S. students, these changes will only affect Class of 2024 high school students who decide to take the test during the spring of their 12th grade year. As mentioned above, College Board will offer the first digital SAT test in the US during March of 2024. We strongly encourage students to complete testing prior to 12th grade to allow for more time to focus on college applications. Class of 2025 (Current 10th graders) This past fall (fall of 2022), many 10th graders took a paper PSAT test. In 11th grade (October 2023), they will take the digital PSAT test. It’s important to note here that College Board has indicated that instead of a handful of in-school test dates for the PSAT digital test in the fall of 2023, schools may decide on a test date any time during the month of October. Check with your high school counselor to know exactly which day you can expect to take the test. For SAT tests taken through December of the 11th grade, students will take the paper version. Starting in March of 11th grade (2024), they will take the new digital SAT® test. Class of 2026 (Current 9th graders) This class will be the first to be impacted by a purely digital testing environment for the PSAT and SAT tests. Since the test content will remain consistent, students still need to acquire and practice math and verbal skills. The Reading and Writing Test (Digital) (Reading and Writing are not separate sections) Two modules: 27 questions per module (computer-adaptive) 32 minutes per module Built-in timer Highlighting and leave a note for yourself capabilities Mark for review option Can eliminate (cross out) a choice Types of Questions: All four-option multiple choice questions Vocabulary – Fill in the blank with the best word or phrase v Reading Questions Reading Questions Content Prose fiction Poetry Nonfiction (science, social studies, social science, graphics) Types of questions Function of underlined sentence Fill in the blank Point that weakens or strengthen claim § Best choice to complete the text Main idea or main purpose Interpretation of data Critical reasoning Writing Questions Complete the text with the choice that conforms to the conventions of Standard English Use a student’s notes to complete a specific task The Math Test (Digital) Two modules: 22 questions per module § 35 minutes per module 75 % four-option multiple choice 25 % student produced responses Calculator use for the whole math test Built-in graphing calculator or student’s own calculator Access to a list of common formulas Built-in timer Can cross out eliminated choice Can mark a question for review Content (arranged from easiest to hardest) Algebra Advanced math(absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and nonlinear equations) Problem solving and data analysis Geometry andTrigonometry Scoring 1600 scale Reading and Writing: 200-800 Math: 200 – 800 For more information about the digital PSAT/SAT please visit https://www.homeworkhubtutoring.com/act/sat-elite-test-prep or call 631-673-7250 or text 516-423-2543 to learn more.