Is the SAT harder than the ACT?

That depends on how your brain works and which parts of your Swiss curriculum you shine in. Both the SAT and ACT are accepted by nearly all U.S. universities. The real question is: which one suits your skills better?

The SAT leans more into Algebra, data analysis, and dense reading passages. It gives you more time per question and may feel more methodical to students from IB programs or Swiss academic tracks with deep math foundations. It also allows you to use Desmos, a built-in calculator, for all math questions—a nice bonus for visual learners.

The ACT is faster-paced, includes more Geometry and Trigonometry, and features a standalone science section. This section doesn’t test biology or chemistry—it tests how well you read and interpret data. Some Swiss students find the ACT timing brutal, while others breeze through it more easily than the SAT.

The best move? Take practice tests for both. At Cardinal Education, we help Swiss students pinpoint which format fits best and build a prep plan around their strengths.