dSAT vs ACT

Digital SAT versus ACT

dSAT Structure

2 hours 14 minutes
98 questions

Reading and Writing Module 1
27 questions | 32 min

Reading and Writing Module 2
27 questions | 32 min

— 10 min break —

Math Module 1
22 questions | 35 min

Math Module 2
22 questions | 35 min

dSAT Specifics

Format

Computer

Section Adaptive

Performance on Module 1 determines the difficulty level of Module 2

Question Format

  • Multiple Choice: 4 answer choices
  • Student Produced Responses: Math Section only

Time Per Question

  • Reading & Writing – 71 seconds
  • Math – 95 seconds

Scoring – 1600

  • Reading and Writing: 200 – 800
  • Math: 200 – 800
  • Total Score: 400 – 1600

No Essay Test

ACT Structure - effective 4/2025

2 hours 5 minutes
131 questions (without Science)

English
50 questions | 35 min

Math
45 questions | 50 min

Reading
36 questions | 40 min

— Short break between each of the above sections–

Science – OPTIONAL*
Additional 40 questions | 40 min.

*May be required by some colleges/programs

ACT Specifics

Enhanced Format

Starts with computer testing April 2025.  Paper and pencil test will be updated September 2025.

Increasing Question Difficulty

For Math Section only

Question Format

Multiple Choice:

  • 4 answer choices on every section

Time Per Question

  • English –  42 seconds
  • Math –  66 seconds
  • Reading –  66 seconds
  • Science (optional) –  60 seconds

Scoring – 36 

  • English 1 – 36
  • Math 1 – 36
  • Reading 1 – 36
  • Composite Score 1 – 36 (average of first 3 sections)
  • Science (optional) 1 – 36

Optional Writing Test – not required by most colleges

  • 1 Essay Prompt with 3 Perspectives
  • 40 minutes / Scoring 2-12on

Check out the 2018 ACT/SAT Concordance Tables to compare your scores

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