SAT or ACT? Comparing Sections, Timing, Scores, Fees and Registration, Checking Your Universities' Policies First, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Many students in grades 10 and 11 ask whether to take the SAT or the ACT. The short answer: check the policies of the universities you are interested in first, then see which format suits you. Some universities do not use either test in admissions decisions; the University of California (UC) is one example. This guide compares the two tests using official sources and then suggests how to choose. It is a companion to our planning series for grade 9 and grade 10; see also our application timeline by grade.

1. Check your universities' policies first

Policies on test scores vary widely, so check each university's website before choosing a test. UC, for example, states that it will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships; the scores may be used as an alternative way to meet minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll (UC: filling out the application). If most universities on your list work this way, there is little reason to spend much time on testing; if your list includes universities that require or consider scores, then decide which test to take.

2. The two tests compared

	SAT (College Board)	ACT
Sections and timing	2 hours and 14 minutes in total: Reading and Writing 64 minutes, 54 questions; Math 70 minutes, 44 questions	English 35 minutes, 50 questions; Math 50 minutes, 45 questions; Reading 40 minutes, 36 questions; Science 40 minutes, 40 questions (optional); Writing 40 minutes, 1 prompt (optional)
Scores	Total 400–1600; each section 200–800	1–36; science and writing are optional and do not affect the Composite score
Format	Digital and adaptive	The website says digital or paper
Registration fee (US)	$68; late registration $38 extra	The ACT (English, math and reading Composite) $70; with writing $95; with science $75; with science and writing $100
International test takers	$68 registration fee plus a $43 international fee; international testing can be booked online	The fees page does not state an international fee
Sending scores	Your first 4 score reports are free if ordered by 9 days after the test date; additional reports $15 each; you can change the score recipients you chose on test day	The fee includes reports for you, your high school and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register); reports to a 5th and 6th college cost $20 each
Multiple attempts	The score-sending page does not mention a superscore	ACT automatically calculates a Superscore for students who have tested more than once since September 2016, which you can choose to send; you can also send scores from an individual test event

(SAT structure, College Board: what scores mean, SAT fees, SAT international fees, sending SAT scores, about the ACT, ACT fees, sending ACT scores)

3. How to choose

1. Confirm whether you need a test: go through each university on your list and check whether it requires scores, considers them, or does not use them at all (as with UC).
2. Try one official practice test of each: the formats differ. The SAT has two sections, Reading and Writing and Math, and adapts to your performance; the ACT has English, Math and Reading, with optional Science and Writing. Try official sample material for each, see which pace and question style suit you, and then focus on one.
3. Plan for dates and costs: the US SAT registration fee is $68, with a $43 international fee on top for international test takers; the ACT Composite is $70, with writing or science priced separately. Check test dates and registration deadlines early; for example, the College Board registration page lists a December 5 SAT with a registration deadline of November 20, 2026 and late registration until November 24, 2026, labeling it "Last Test Before College Deadlines"; check whether its scores will reach each of your universities in time for their own deadlines (SAT registration).
4. Leave room for a retake: ACT automatically calculates a Superscore for students who have tested more than once; after the SAT you can change recipients and send additional reports. Avoid scheduling your only attempt just before an application deadline.

4. The PSAT and National Merit

The College Board PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program (National Merit program). Its structure is similar to the SAT, so it can serve as a baseline; if your school offers it, ask your counselor when to take it.

5. Notes for domestic and international applicants (including students in China)

• Domestic applicants: in the US, you register for the SAT from your College Board account; if you are in California and applying mainly to UC, test scores are not part of the admissions decision. Policies at other public and private universities vary, so check each website.
• International applicants: you can register online for international SAT testing, with a $43 international fee on top of the $68 registration fee; the ACT fees page does not state an international fee, so rely on what the website shows when you register. Check seats and dates early and leave time for a retake.
• Students in China: follow the College Board and ACT websites for registration and test arrangements; the pages read for this guide contain no specific guidance for test takers in China. As with everyone else, check your universities' policies first; if you are applying only to universities that do not use test scores, put your time into courses and essays.

Frequently asked questions

How long are the SAT and ACT, and how are they scored?

The SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, with Reading and Writing (64 minutes, 54 questions) and Math (70 minutes, 44 questions); the total score range is 400–1600 and each section is 200–800. The ACT has English (35 minutes, 50 questions), Math (50 minutes, 45 questions) and Reading (40 minutes, 36 questions); science and writing are optional and do not affect the Composite score, which ranges from 1 to 36.

How much do the SAT and ACT cost?

The US SAT registration fee is $68, plus a $43 international fee for international test takers and $38 for late registration. The ACT Composite is $70, $95 with writing, $75 with science and $100 with both; the ACT fees page does not state an international fee.

Does the University of California consider SAT or ACT scores?

No. UC states that it will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships; the scores may be used as an alternative way to meet minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

If I take the ACT more than once, can I send only my best scores?

ACT states that it automatically calculates a Superscore for students who have tested more than once since September 2016, which you can choose to send; you can also send scores from an individual test event. The registration fee includes reports to up to four colleges, and reports to a 5th and 6th college cost $20 each.

References

SAT structure; College Board: what scores mean; SAT registration; SAT fees; SAT international fees; sending SAT scores; National Merit Scholarship Program; about the ACT; ACT fees; sending ACT scores; UC: filling out the application. Pages read in November 2026; fees, dates and policies follow the latest official versions.