USA college tests · English · 2026
SAT vs ACT: what US students should know
US applicants still search “SAT vs ACT” when a college is test-optional, test-required or test-blind. The SAT is from College Board; the ACT is from ACT, Inc. GKSchools compares the classroom facts. We do not invent this year’s registration deadlines, fees or a “safe score” for any university.
Why US students open this page
High-school juniors compare the two tests more than almost any other admissions phrase besides FAFSA and GPA.
Who owns which test
SAT → College Board. ACT → ACT, Inc. They are not the same company and not the same score scale.
Test-optional
Many colleges still let you apply without SAT/ACT. Optional is not the same as “scores never matter.” Read each school’s current policy.
Superscoring
Some colleges mix section scores across dates. Policies differ — do not assume every school superscores both tests.
Official sources
Changing dates, fees, award amounts and cutoffs stay on these sites. GKSchools does not invent them.
Today’s 5 (rotates by calendar)
A returning student sees a new first five each day. The full set of 100 stays below.
1. Pick the accurate option for Subject Tests.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) SAT Subject Tests were discontinued; do not register for a rumour date
Use AP or school transcripts instead if a college wants subject depth.
2. Classroom / college-aid check: Subject Tests
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) SAT Subject Tests were discontinued; do not register for a rumour date
Use AP or school transcripts instead if a college wants subject depth.
3. TOEFL/IELTS — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
4. US students are often tested on: TOEFL/IELTS?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
5. Pick the accurate option for TOEFL/IELTS.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
Practice quiz — 100 questions
Quick 10 is a random set. Full set plays every question. Tap green if correct, red if wrong.
Your score
100 questions and answers
Open a question, tap A–D. Green is correct. Original practice — not an official paper.
1. Pick the accurate option for Subject Tests.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) SAT Subject Tests were discontinued; do not register for a rumour date
Use AP or school transcripts instead if a college wants subject depth.
2. Classroom / college-aid check: Subject Tests
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) SAT Subject Tests were discontinued; do not register for a rumour date
Use AP or school transcripts instead if a college wants subject depth.
3. TOEFL/IELTS — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
4. US students are often tested on: TOEFL/IELTS?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
5. Pick the accurate option for TOEFL/IELTS.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
6. Classroom / college-aid check: TOEFL/IELTS
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) English-proficiency exams for some international applicants; not SAT/ACT replacements unless a college says so
Check the college’s international page.
7. Fee — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) registration fees live on the official sites
Do not invent this year’s dollar amount, deadline or cutoff — open the official site.
8. US students are often tested on: Fee?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) registration fees live on the official sites
Do not invent this year’s dollar amount, deadline or cutoff — open the official site.
9. Pick the accurate option for Fee.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) registration fees live on the official sites
Do not invent this year’s dollar amount, deadline or cutoff — open the official site.
10. Classroom / college-aid check: Fee
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) registration fees live on the official sites
Do not invent this year’s dollar amount, deadline or cutoff — open the official site.
11. Counselor report — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) counselors send transcripts; they do not “curve” SAT for the school
Transcripts ≠ test scores.
12. US students are often tested on: Counselor report?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) counselors send transcripts; they do not “curve” SAT for the school
Transcripts ≠ test scores.
13. Pick the accurate option for Counselor report.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) counselors send transcripts; they do not “curve” SAT for the school
Transcripts ≠ test scores.
14. Classroom / college-aid check: Counselor report
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) counselors send transcripts; they do not “curve” SAT for the school
Transcripts ≠ test scores.
15. Retakes — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) you may retake on later official dates if seats exist
Dates on the agency sites.
16. US students are often tested on: Retakes?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) you may retake on later official dates if seats exist
Dates on the agency sites.
17. Pick the accurate option for Retakes.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) you may retake on later official dates if seats exist
Dates on the agency sites.
18. Classroom / college-aid check: Retakes
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) you may retake on later official dates if seats exist
Dates on the agency sites.
19. Practice vs real — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) only scores from an official test administration are reportable
We are practice, not College Board.
20. US students are often tested on: Practice vs real?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) only scores from an official test administration are reportable
We are practice, not College Board.
21. Pick the accurate option for Practice vs real.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) only scores from an official test administration are reportable
We are practice, not College Board.
22. Classroom / college-aid check: Practice vs real
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) only scores from an official test administration are reportable
We are practice, not College Board.
23. State testing — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) some states use SAT or ACT as the high-school exam; that is separate from college sending
Ask your district.
24. US students are often tested on: State testing?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) some states use SAT or ACT as the high-school exam; that is separate from college sending
Ask your district.
25. Pick the accurate option for State testing.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) some states use SAT or ACT as the high-school exam; that is separate from college sending
Ask your district.
26. Classroom / college-aid check: State testing
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) some states use SAT or ACT as the high-school exam; that is separate from college sending
Ask your district.
27. Accommodations timing — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) apply early; approval is not same-week magic
Follow SSD / ACT deadlines on official pages.
28. US students are often tested on: Accommodations timing?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) apply early; approval is not same-week magic
Follow SSD / ACT deadlines on official pages.
29. Pick the accurate option for Accommodations timing.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) apply early; approval is not same-week magic
Follow SSD / ACT deadlines on official pages.
30. Classroom / college-aid check: Accommodations timing
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) apply early; approval is not same-week magic
Follow SSD / ACT deadlines on official pages.
31. Composite vs section — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) colleges may look at composite, evidence-based reading/writing, math, or ACT STEM — read the major
Major pages differ.
32. US students are often tested on: Composite vs section?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) colleges may look at composite, evidence-based reading/writing, math, or ACT STEM — read the major
Major pages differ.
33. Pick the accurate option for Composite vs section.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) colleges may look at composite, evidence-based reading/writing, math, or ACT STEM — read the major
Major pages differ.
34. Classroom / college-aid check: Composite vs section
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) colleges may look at composite, evidence-based reading/writing, math, or ACT STEM — read the major
Major pages differ.
35. Honesty — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) score invalidation can follow testing-agency rules if they find a problem
Follow the test-security rules.
36. US students are often tested on: Honesty?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) score invalidation can follow testing-agency rules if they find a problem
Follow the test-security rules.
37. Pick the accurate option for Honesty.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) score invalidation can follow testing-agency rules if they find a problem
Follow the test-security rules.
38. Classroom / college-aid check: Honesty
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) score invalidation can follow testing-agency rules if they find a problem
Follow the test-security rules.
39. The SAT is administered by
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) College Board
satsuite.collegeboard.org is the official SAT hub.
40. The ACT is administered by
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) ACT, Inc.
act.org is official.
41. A typical traditional ACT battery includes
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) English, math, reading and science (plus optional writing when offered)
Confirm the current ACT format on ACT.org — formats can be updated.
42. Digital SAT scoring is reported on
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) a College Board SAT scale (not the ACT 1–36 composite)
Do not convert scores with a rumour chart; use official concordance if a college asks.
43. ACT composite scores use
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) a 1–36 scale on the classic report
Always read the student’s score report, not a social-media converter.
44. PSAT/NMSQT is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) a College Board practice/qualifying exam related to National Merit, not the ACT
National Merit rules are on the official NMSC/College Board pages — we do not invent cutoffs.
45. Test-optional means
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) you may apply without SAT/ACT at that college if the policy says so
Read the college’s current admissions page.
46. Test-blind / test-free means
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the college will not consider SAT/ACT even if you send them
Policies differ by campus and year.
47. An SAT fee waiver (when you qualify) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) handled through College Board eligibility rules
Eligibility is official — we do not invent income tables.
48. Sending scores is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) a separate step through College Board or ACT
Some schools allow self-report then official send after admit.
49. SAT Essay (legacy) vs current SAT
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) always check whether the college still wants a separate essay or writing test
Do not assume discontinued sections are still required.
50. AP exams are
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) College Board subject exams, not SAT or ACT
AP credit policies are campus-by-campus.
51. A concordance table
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) is an official statistical comparison tool, not a promise of admission
Use College Board/ACT published concordance if needed.
52. Calculator rules
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) follow the current SAT or ACT calculator policy on the official site
Policies differ by test and section.
53. Accommodations (SSD / ACT supports)
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) must be approved by the testing agency, not invented by a tutor
Apply through College Board SSD or ACT accessibility pages.
54. Reading vs Science — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) ACT Science is a distinct ACT section; SAT science skills are embedded in other modules
Try both official practice tests.
55. US students are often tested on: Reading vs Science?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) ACT Science is a distinct ACT section; SAT science skills are embedded in other modules
Try both official practice tests.
56. Pick the accurate option for Reading vs Science.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) ACT Science is a distinct ACT section; SAT science skills are embedded in other modules
Try both official practice tests.
57. Classroom / college-aid check: Reading vs Science
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) ACT Science is a distinct ACT section; SAT science skills are embedded in other modules
Try both official practice tests.
58. Timing — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) section time limits differ; practise the real clock from official PDFs or the Bluebook app
Official practice only.
59. US students are often tested on: Timing?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) section time limits differ; practise the real clock from official PDFs or the Bluebook app
Official practice only.
60. Pick the accurate option for Timing.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) section time limits differ; practise the real clock from official PDFs or the Bluebook app
Official practice only.
61. Classroom / college-aid check: Timing
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) section time limits differ; practise the real clock from official PDFs or the Bluebook app
Official practice only.
62. Bluebook — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) College Board’s digital SAT practice/testing app
Download from College Board, not a random APK.
63. US students are often tested on: Bluebook?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) College Board’s digital SAT practice/testing app
Download from College Board, not a random APK.
64. Pick the accurate option for Bluebook.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board’s digital SAT practice/testing app
Download from College Board, not a random APK.
65. Classroom / college-aid check: Bluebook
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board’s digital SAT practice/testing app
Download from College Board, not a random APK.
66. Score choice — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) College Board and ACT have different send-score tools; colleges may override
Read each college’s testing policy.
67. US students are often tested on: Score choice?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board and ACT have different send-score tools; colleges may override
Read each college’s testing policy.
68. Pick the accurate option for Score choice.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board and ACT have different send-score tools; colleges may override
Read each college’s testing policy.
69. Classroom / college-aid check: Score choice
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board and ACT have different send-score tools; colleges may override
Read each college’s testing policy.
70. Test centers — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) register for a seat on the official site; school-day SAT/ACT is a separate school program
Admission Ticket / ACT ticket is official.
71. US students are often tested on: Test centers?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) register for a seat on the official site; school-day SAT/ACT is a separate school program
Admission Ticket / ACT ticket is official.
72. Pick the accurate option for Test centers.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) register for a seat on the official site; school-day SAT/ACT is a separate school program
Admission Ticket / ACT ticket is official.
73. Classroom / college-aid check: Test centers
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) register for a seat on the official site; school-day SAT/ACT is a separate school program
Admission Ticket / ACT ticket is official.
74. International SAT — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) College Board lists international dates separately from US Saturday dates
Check College Board for your country.
75. US students are often tested on: International SAT?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) College Board lists international dates separately from US Saturday dates
Check College Board for your country.
76. Pick the accurate option for International SAT.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board lists international dates separately from US Saturday dates
Check College Board for your country.
77. Classroom / college-aid check: International SAT
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board lists international dates separately from US Saturday dates
Check College Board for your country.
78. Writing/optional essay — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) confirm whether ACT writing or any SAT essay is still offered/required
Policy pages change.
79. US students are often tested on: Writing/optional essay?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) confirm whether ACT writing or any SAT essay is still offered/required
Policy pages change.
80. Pick the accurate option for Writing/optional essay.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) confirm whether ACT writing or any SAT essay is still offered/required
Policy pages change.
81. Classroom / college-aid check: Writing/optional essay
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) confirm whether ACT writing or any SAT essay is still offered/required
Policy pages change.
82. Prep legal — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) official practice is free or paid from the agencies; stolen PDFs are not “practice”
Use Khan Academy/College Board and ACT Academy-style official sets.
83. US students are often tested on: Prep legal?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) official practice is free or paid from the agencies; stolen PDFs are not “practice”
Use Khan Academy/College Board and ACT Academy-style official sets.
84. Pick the accurate option for Prep legal.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) official practice is free or paid from the agencies; stolen PDFs are not “practice”
Use Khan Academy/College Board and ACT Academy-style official sets.
85. Classroom / college-aid check: Prep legal
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) official practice is free or paid from the agencies; stolen PDFs are not “practice”
Use Khan Academy/College Board and ACT Academy-style official sets.
86. NCAA — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) college sports eligibility has its own testing/GPA rules on NCAA.org
Athletes still read NCAA Eligibility Center.
87. US students are often tested on: NCAA?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) college sports eligibility has its own testing/GPA rules on NCAA.org
Athletes still read NCAA Eligibility Center.
88. Pick the accurate option for NCAA.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) college sports eligibility has its own testing/GPA rules on NCAA.org
Athletes still read NCAA Eligibility Center.
89. Classroom / college-aid check: NCAA
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) college sports eligibility has its own testing/GPA rules on NCAA.org
Athletes still read NCAA Eligibility Center.
90. CLEP — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) College Board credit-by-exam, separate from SAT
Credit is campus policy.
91. US students are often tested on: CLEP?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) College Board credit-by-exam, separate from SAT
Credit is campus policy.
92. Pick the accurate option for CLEP.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) College Board credit-by-exam, separate from SAT
Credit is campus policy.
93. Classroom / college-aid check: CLEP
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) College Board credit-by-exam, separate from SAT
Credit is campus policy.
94. SAT School Day — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) some districts offer SAT during school; it is still College Board
Ask your counselor for the district calendar — we do not invent it.
95. US students are often tested on: SAT School Day?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) some districts offer SAT during school; it is still College Board
Ask your counselor for the district calendar — we do not invent it.
96. Pick the accurate option for SAT School Day.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) some districts offer SAT during school; it is still College Board
Ask your counselor for the district calendar — we do not invent it.
97. Classroom / college-aid check: SAT School Day
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) some districts offer SAT during school; it is still College Board
Ask your counselor for the district calendar — we do not invent it.
98. ACT SuperScore — which statement is correct?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) ACT may report a superscore; colleges decide whether they use it
Check the college.
99. US students are often tested on: ACT SuperScore?
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) ACT may report a superscore; colleges decide whether they use it
Check the college.
100. Pick the accurate option for ACT SuperScore.
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) ACT may report a superscore; colleges decide whether they use it
Check the college.
FAQs
Is SAT easier than ACT?
It depends on the student. SAT is now mainly digital with adaptive modules. ACT still includes a Science section in the traditional battery. Try a full official practice test of each.
Do all US colleges require SAT or ACT in 2026?
No. Policies are school-by-school (required, optional, or test-blind). We do not invent a national rule.
Can I send both scores?
Usually yes if you tested both. Follow each college’s testing policy and the testing agency’s send-score tools.
Where are fees and dates?
College Board and ACT.org. GKSchools does not invent registration fees or 2026 Saturday dates.