<p>The title says it all-- how difficult is the ACT compared to the SAT? I have had a friend who went in to take the ACT because his parents forced him (he did not want to, and had only studied for the SAT), and then made a perfect score. He did make above a 2300 on the SAT, though.</p>
<p>Also, when should I take it? Is it alright to take it the fall of senior year? Can you take the ACT multiple times, like the SAT?</p>
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<p>I personally think that the ACT is easier, but that’s because I have horrid vocabulary skills (at least to the extent of what the SAT tests). The ACT is much more of a timed test though, especially on the reading and possibly science section. The ACT reading section is also very different from the SAT CR section, in that it tests more on retainment than inferences. The ACT English section is quite similar to the SAT Writing section, except that the essay isn’t factored into the composite score on the ACT. The essay is also 5 minutes longer on the ACT.</p>
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<p>Most people take it during the spring of their junior year and also during the fall of their senior year. It’s alright if you take the test multiple times; some colleges require you to send them all of your previous scores though.</p>
<p>The ACT has harder time requirements, but it doesn’t require as much previous knowledge.</p>
<p>A perfect SAT is rarer than a perfect ACT, since a 36 36 35 35 gives you a perfect 36 composite but a 790 800 800 does not give you a perfect 2400.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, the SAT is perceived as harder, but plenty of people do better on the SAT than on the ACT.</p>
<p>The same “percentage” score (I’m not quite sure how to phrase it) on the SAT is generally looked at as very slightly better than on the ACT. For instance, a 27, i.e. 75% of the max score, is generally perceived as a slightly lower score than an 1800.</p>
<p>Despite this, every college I’ve heard of accepts both, and there’s no reason to think a good ACT score is any less valid than a good SAT score. Send in the results of the test you score better on, whether it’s the ACT or SAT.</p>