SAT(Linear) vs. Digital SAT vs. ACT
The SAT (Linear) and Digital SAT are two versions of the same standardized test, while the ACT is a separate standardized test used for college admissions in the United States.
Introduction:
The SAT (Linear):
- The SAT is an exam run by the College Board and taken by students everywhere for U.S. college admissions.
- It is used to assess student competence and college readiness in critical reading, writing, and math.
- It is offered 7 times a year.
- The SAT with the optional essay takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Without the essay, it’s 3 hours.
- Students typically take the test during their junior year of high school and may retake it senior year.
The Digital SAT:
- The Digital SAT is a computer-based version of the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States.
- The Digital SAT includes two sections on reading, writing and language, math and takes 2 hours and 14 minutes.
- The SAT will be more secure because each student will have a unique test form and will use their own or a school-issued device.
- In 2023, international students will be able to take the exam and in 2024 US students will be able to take the Digital SAT exam.
The ACT:
- The ACT is a college entrance exam that many colleges and universities in the United States use as part of the college admissions process.
- The ACT is a standardized test that assesses students’ skills in five core areas: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional).
- It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc.
- The ACT exam is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July.
- The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. If you choose to take the ACT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 35 minutes long.
Format of the Test:
The SAT (Linear):
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
| Reading | 52 | 65 minutes |
| Writing and Language | 44 | 35 minutes |
| Math – No-Calculator | 20 | 25 minutes |
| Math – Calculator | 38 | 55 minutes |
| Optional Essay (separately scored) | 1 prompt | 50 minutes |
The Digital SAT:
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
| Reading, Writing, and Language | 54 | 64 minutes |
| Math | 44 | 70 minutes |
The ACT:
| ACT Section | # of Questions | Duration |
| English | 75 | 45 minutes |
| Math | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Reading | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Science | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Optional Writing Test | 1 essay prompt | 30 minutes |
The scoring system of the Test:
The SAT (Linear):
Here is a table summarizing the scoring system of the SAT test:
| Section | Number of Questions | Score Range | Subscores | Cross-Test Scores |
| Math | 58 | 200-800 | Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Passport to Advanced Math | None |
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 96 | 200-800 | Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Words in Context | Analysis in History/Social Studies, Analysis in Science, Command of Evidence |
| Essay (optional) | 1 | 2-8 | N/A | N/A |
| Total | N/A | 400-1600 | N/A | N/A |
The Digital SAT:
The Digital SAT Suite assessments yield three scores: a total score and two section scores. The total score is the arithmetic sum of both section scores from the entire evaluation. Section scores are based on students’ performance in Reading, Writing, and Math.
NOTE: Subscores and cross-test scores will no longer be reported for the digital SAT Suite.
The ACT:
- Subject Score: There are 4 subjects’ scaled scores.
- Grouped Score: STEM (Math + Science) and ELA (English + Reading + Essay*).
- Composite Score: Average of all subjects (English + Math + Reading + Science) scaled score.
Subjects and Question Distribution of the Test:
The SAT(Linear)
Reading/Writing Content Domain
| Content Domain Sequence | Description | Skill/Knowledge Testing Points | Operational Question Distribution |
| Craft & Structure | Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts. | Central Ideas and Details, Command of Evidence • Textual • Quantitative Inferences | ?26% / 12–14 questions |
| Information & Ideas | Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs). | •Words in Context •Text Structure and Purpose •Cross-Text Connections | ?28% / 13–15 questions |
| Standard English Conventions | Measures the ability to edit the text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. | Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions | ?20% / 8–12 questions |
| Expression of Ideas | Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals. | Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense | ?26% / 11–15 questions |
Math Content Domain
| Content Domain Sequence | Description | Skill/Knowledge Testing Points | Operational Question Distribution on Distribution |
| Algebra | Algebra measures the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques. | Linear equations in 1 variable Linear equation in 2 variables Linear functions Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables | ?35%/ 13–15 questions |
| Advanced Math | The Advanced Math area measures skills and knowledge central for progression to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations. | Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in 1 variable System of equations in 2 variables Nonlinear functions | ?35%/ 13–15 questions |
| Problem Solving & Data Analysis | Problem-Solving and Data Analysis measures the ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data. This group of skills is about being quantitatively literate and demonstrating a command of math that resonates throughout college courses, career training programs, and everyday life. | Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability Inference from sample statistics and margin of error Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments | ?15%/ 5–7 questions |
| Geometry & Trigonometry | Geometric figures will be used to solve problems related to length, area, volume, and scale factors. Using vertical angles, triangles, and parallel lines cut by a transversal, determine congruence, similarity, and sufficiency. Solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem, right triangle, and unit circle trigonometry, special right triangle properties, and properties of circles. | Area and volume Lines, angles, and triangles Right triangles and trigonometry Circles | ?15%/ 5–7 questions |
The ACT:
Here is a table summarizing the subjects and question distribution of the ACT:
| Section | Sub-Section | Number of Questions | Operational Question Distribution on |
| English | Usage/Mechanics | 40 multiple-choice questions | Punctuation (10-15%) Grammar and Usage (15-20%) Sentence structure (20-25%) |
| Rhetorical Skills | 35 multiple-choice questions | Organization (10-15%) Strategy (15-20%) Style (15-20%) | |
| Math | Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra | 24-26 multiple-choice questions | 20-25% of the total questions |
| Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry | 18-20 multiple-choice questions | 15-20% of the total questions | |
| Plane Geometry/Trigonometry | 14-16 multiple-choice questions | 20-25% of the total questions | |
| Reading | Social Studies/Sciences | 20-25 multiple-choice questions each | Integration of Knowledge (13-18%) Craft and Structure (25-30%) Key Ideas and Details (55-60%) |
| Science | Data Representation | 15-20 multiple-choice questions | 30-40% of questions |
| Research Summaries | 15-20 multiple-choice questions | 45-55% of questions | |
| Conflicting Viewpoints | 15-20 multiple-choice questions | 15-20% of questions | |
| Writing (optional) | N/A | 1 essay prompt |
The Digital SAT:
Reading and Writing:
| Content Domain | Domain Description | Skill/Knowledge Testing Points | Operational Question Distribution |
| Craft and Structure | Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge. | Words in Context Text Structure and Purpose Cross-Text Connections | ?28% / 13-15 questions |
| Information and Ideas | Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information. | Central Ideas and Details Command of Evidence § Textual § Quantitative Inferences | ?26% / 12-14 questions |
| Standard English Conventions | Measures the ability to edit texts to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. | Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense | ?26% / 11-15 questions |
| Expression of Ideas | Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals. | Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions | ?20% / 8-12 questions |
Math:
| Content Domain | Domain Description | Skill/Knowledge Testing Points | Operational Question Distribution |
| Algebra | Measures the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities. | Linear equations in one variable Linear equations in two variables Linear functions Systems of two linear equations in two variables Linear inequalities in one or two variables. | ?35% / 13-15 questions |
| Advanced Math | Measures skills and knowledge central for progression to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical. | Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables Nonlinear functions. | ?35% / 13-15 questions |
| Problem- Solving and Data Analysis | Measures the ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships. | Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability. | ?15% / 5-7 question |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | Measures the ability to solve problems that focus on area and volume; angles, triangles, and trigonometry; and circles. | Area and volume Lines, angles, and triangles Right triangles and trigonometry Circles. | ?15% / 5-7 questions |
The structure of the SAT (Linear), Digital SAT, and ACT:
Here is a table outlining the structure of the SAT (Linear), Digital SAT, and ACT:
| Test | SAT (Linear) | Digital SAT | ACT |
| Format | Paper-and-pencil | Computer-based | Paper-and-pencil |
| Sections | Reading, Writing and Language, Math (no calculator), Math (calculator allowed) | Reading & Writing, Math | English, Math (calculator allowed), Reading, Science, Optional Writing |
| Duration | 3 hours 15 minutes | 2 hours 14 minutes | 3 hours 35 minutes |
| Number of questions | 154 | 98 | 215 |
| Scoring | 400-1600 scale, with sub-scores for each section | 400-1600 scale, with sub-scores for each section | Composite score on a scale of 1-36, with sub-scores for each section |
| Calculator | Allowed only in one of the math sections | Allowed in both math sections | Allowed in the math section |
| Optional essay | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Overall, the choice between the SAT (Linear), Digital SAT, and ACT largely depends on personal preference and the requirements of the colleges and universities to which you are applying. It’s important to research the admissions requirements of the schools you’re interested in to determine which test to take.
To Prepare smartly for the upcoming ACT, and SAT exams download our free e-book. Check out the Socrato YouTube channel for a test prep strategy.
