Choosing either the ACT or SAT for Students with a Learning Disability (2026 Update): A Guide for High School Students and Parents

For students who have a learning disability, choosing between the ACT and the SAT is critical, as these tests can result in drastically different score outcomes. Choosing between the two tests involves weighing the fundamental test differences, the student’s learning difference, approved accommodations, and the student’s math curriculum.

The following is a condensed summary intended for parents and high school students.

We always recommend students start by taking our practice test program to determine how they respond to the different tests. 

Fundamental Differences between the ACT and the SAT

ACT

The ACT is a paper-based test with three required sections: English, Reading, and Math. The Science section is optional, but at the time of publication, Mindfish recommends taking the Science section for the majority of students. There is a digital option, but Mindfish does not recommend it at the time of publication because it isn’t widely available in Colorado. ACT English and Reading is 66% of the total score. ACT Math is 33% of the total score, and the math section covers a wider range of math topics from fractions to pre-calculus material. The ACT is a more straightforward test in terms of accessibility of language in the questions, answer choices, and passages. Students looking to test in the 90th percentile should note that the field questions on the ACT result in steep curves on the Reading and Science sections.

SAT

The SAT is a digital test with two required sections: Reading & Writing and Math. SAT Reading and Writing is 50% of the total score. SAT Math is 50% of the total score, and the math section covers a narrower range of questions centered on Geometry and Algebra skills. The SAT has tricky question wording, dense reading passages, more vocabulary, and math problems that combine multiple concepts. Notably, the SAT has the DESMOS calculator, which allows students to solve Algebra problems more efficiently than they can on personal approved graphing calculators. The SAT also has a reference sheet that provides formulas. The test is adaptive, starting with a medium-difficulty module and then branching into a harder or easier module based on the student’s score.

Disability Implications

Students who Generally Prefer the ACT

• Students with Dyslexia
• Students with Slower Processing Speeds
• Students with General Learning Disabilities

As a general trend, students with dyslexia, slower processing speeds, and general learning disabilities prefer the ACT because the passages, reading questions, and math questions are more straightforward than those of the SAT. Students with ADHD and dysgraphia prefer the SAT. While students with dyslexia, slower processing speeds and general learning disabilities generally choose the ACT, we highly recommend that all students participate in the practice test program that includes expert guidance.

Students who Generally Prefer the SAT

• Students with ADHD
• Students with Dysgraphia

As a general trend, students with ADHD appreciate focusing on shorter reading passages, and students with dysgraphia prefer a digital test with less need to write, annotate, and do math on paper. While students with ADHD and dysgraphia generally choose the SAT, It is important to actually take both tests and compare the scores/experiences with guidance.

Students With Learning Differences that Don’t Correlate Strongly to One Test Preference

• Students with Anxiety
• Students with Autism
• Students with Dyscalculia
• Students with Auditory Processing Disorder

Students with anxiety, Autism, dyscalculia, and auditory processing disorder have individual expressions of their learning differences, and no general trend exists. Students with anxiety have individual expressions of triggers and comfort levels with online and paper tests. Students with Autism need to determine whether the procedures for ACT or SAT are more challenging. Students with dyscalculia must find out if they prefer the Desmos calculator or the straightforward ACT math problems. Students with auditory processing disorder need to weigh the options of the straightforward language of the ACT or the text reader option on the SAT. For students with these learning differences, expert guidance and a practice test program to determine testing preference is key.

Accommodations

The SAT is better for students who prefer the computer or use text-to-speech software. The ACT is better for students who prefer a paper test, do better with multiday testing, or have difficulty accurately filling out a bubble sheet. The ACT and SAT are virtually identical for students who need extended time, extra breaks, a translation dictionary, or a separate testing environment.

Neurodivergent/Learning Disability Specific Test Prep

If you want your students to work with someone specifically trained to work with students with learning differences, please see our options for Neurodivergent Test Prep Tutoring. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about whether your student should take the SAT or the ACT, please reach out to our learning disability and accommodations expert, Hailey Andler, at hailey@mindfish.com or 720-307-2750.