If you plan to study abroad, especially in those English-speaking countries, you should take a language proficiency exam to prove your proficiency level. It is also required for those non-native English speakers who wish to enroll in these institutions.
Aside from that, you also need to take a college admission exam, and the widely used test for this purpose is the SAT. It is also recommended for native and non-native English speakers.
Many universities and colleges in America and other English-speaking countries highly prefer and require their applicants’ SAT and TOEFL test results. To learn more about the SAT and TOEFL exam, we will tackle them in this article.
We will provide a comprehensive comparison between the SAT and TOEFL exam. It will help you prepare, get in-depth knowledge, and be ready to take these two exams.
- What is SAT?
- What is TOEFL?
- Exam Fees: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Exam Frequency: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Exam Structure: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Scoring Difference: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Test Requirements: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Practice Tests Offers: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Which Is Easier: SAT or TOEFL?
- Test Recognition: SAT vs. TOEFL?
- Comparison Table Summary: SAT vs. TOEFL
- Additional FAQs – TOEFL vs. SAT
What is SAT?
The SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test is a well-known and widely recognized standardized admission test for upcoming college students. The acronym was dropped years after the test was introduced in the market, and it is now considered the SAT.
It is a paper-based test and uses multiple-choice questions in its exam structure.
Moreover, the goal of this exam is to know and evaluate the readiness of high school students to advance to the college level.
It also provides a standardized assessment and help college admission officers to know the applicant’s capabilities alongside their GPA results.
And also, the SAT contains the following test sections: math, evidence-based reading, and writing which are the three core areas of students.
The College Board administers this exam, and most test-takers of the SAT are students already in the 11th and 12th grades in high school.
What is TOEFL?
One of the top academic-based language proficiency exams is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It evaluates the English language skills of both native and non-native English language users in different countries.
The TOEFL is acknowledged and trusted by most universities, colleges, and other organizations worldwide. It provides a quality and standardized assessment of an individual’s reading, listening, speaking, and writing abilities.
Over 11,000 academic institutions also prefer this language proficiency exam because it contains a high level of English terms and formal contexts in its test questions. And also, it has challenging and complex passages.
And also, the TOEFL test result is one of the requirements for visa applications, student exchange programs, migrations, and work requirements for those who want to apply to international companies.
Consequently, the TOEFL is conducted by the ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is very accessible to its test-takers providing more than 4,500 testing centers worldwide. It also has a 100% acceptance rate in all academic institutions in the United Kingdom.
Exam Fees: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT and TOEFL are among the commonly used exams by educational institutions. And both of these exams significantly differ in terms of their fees.
In relation, the SAT standard examination fee is USD 55, and for the SAT with Essay, it costs USD 64.50, while the TOEFL costs approximately USD 180 to USD 185.
However, the SAT also charges a regional fee on top of its standard rate for those international test-takers.
Both the SAT and TOEFL accept and process exam fees of their applicants.
Note that the SAT and TOEFL have different refund policies for you to avail of the said service.
It is also clear that the TOEFL exam is much more expensive compared to the SAT, which only costs around USD 55.
Also, both the exam fees for the SAT and TOEFL differ in different countries worldwide.
They also have additional fees for other services that an applicant wants to avail of. You can check the table below to compare the SAT and TOEFL exam fees.
| Exam Fees | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Exam Fee: | Regular SAT – USD 55 SAT with Essay – USD 64.50 With a regional fee depending on your location | TOEFL iBT – USD 185 TOEFL PBT – USD 180 |
| Additional Fees: | Change Test Center – USD 25 Cancel Registration – USD 25 Cancel Registration (Late) – USD 35 Late Registration – USD 30 Waitlist – USD 53 Additional Score Reports – USD 12 per report Rush Reports – USD 31 Get Scores By Phone – USD 15 per call Archived Scores – USD 31 SAT Questions-and-Answer Service – USD16 SAT Student Answer Service – USD 16 Multiple-Choice Hand Score Verification – USD 55 | Late Registration – USD 40 Rescheduling – USD 60 Reinstatement of canceled scores – USD 20 Additional Score Report – USD 20 Speaking or Writing Score Review – USD 80 Speaking and Writing Test Section Score Review USD 120 each Returned Personal Check (Paper or Electronic) USD 20 |
| Refunds: | Processes and refunds exam payment following specific guidelines. | Processes and refunds exam payments following specific guidelines. |
Exam Frequency: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT and TOEFL significantly differ with regard to their exam frequency. Many test-takers prefer tests that are accessible and offer flexible testing schedules. So in this section, we will compare the two exams.
Consequently, the SAT has only seven prescheduled tests annually compared to the TOEFL, which has 60 prescheduled test dates in a year.
There are also around 190 countries internationally that acknowledge and accept the TOEFL exam.
However, let’s compare these two exams regarding the availability of testing centers worldwide.
The TOEFL has an advantage over the SAT since more than four thousand testing centers are available in different countries.
| Exam Frequency | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Test Days Per Year | With 7 prescheduled tests given in a year | With over 60 prescheduled tests given in a year |
| Availability of Testing Centers Worldwide | With more than 1000 Testing Centers Located in Different Countries | 4,500 Testing Centers Located in Different Countries |
| Number of Countries that accept the exam | Accepted in over 175 Countries Worldwide | Accepted in over 190 Countries Worldwide |
Exam Structure: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT is known to be a paper-based test. However, it will soon be an exclusive computerized test beginning in 2023 and 2024. And the exam length will also be shortened to two hours instead of three hours.
In comparison, applicants have various options to take the TOEFL exam. You can take it using a computer available at their testing centers or home, or you can also take it in its paper-based format.
And also, the language proficiency exam is accessible using the internet. The SAT and TOEFL significantly differ in the skills they assess.
For example, the regular SAT has only three test sections, including evidence-based reading, writing, and math.
However, if you prefer to take the SAT with Essay, you will answer the three test sections plus an essay part, and it takes about four hours and a five-minute break.
While the TOEFL exam evaluates the four primary English skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing, it does not assess the individual’s math skills compared to the SAT, which is included in its test structure.
| Exam Structure | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Test Duration | Regular SAT: 3 hours and 15 minutes including breaks With Optional Essay: 4 hours with 5 minutes break | Last up to 3 to 4 Hours with additional 30 minutes check-in period |
| Test Version | None | None |
| Test Delivery Mode | Paper-Based Test | TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) TOEFL Home Edition (Internet-based Test) |
| Skills that are assessed / Test Structure | Evidence-Based Reading Writing Math | TOEFL Reading TOEFL Listening TOEFL Speaking TOEFL Writing |
Scoring Difference: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT overall score between 1600 to 400 points equals the sum of scores for the three reading, writing, and math test sections.
And each test section’s score points range from 800 to 200 points.
While for those who have chosen or taken the SAT with essays, the additional section is scored separately, it has an overall scoring scale of 8 to 2 points.
The TOEFL exam uses an overall scoring scale of 120 to 0 points. And the SAT results have a validity of five years which is relatively longer than the TOEFL, which is only valid for two years.
| Scoring | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Scale | Uses an overall scoring scale of 1600 to 400 Essay section’s overall scoring scale of 8 to 2 points | Uses an overall scoring scale of 120 to 0 points |
| Scoring System | Not Stated | Centralized AI Scoring System |
| Test Scores Validity | Five Years | Two Years |
| Test Scores Availability | Results are available two to three weeks after taking the exam | Results are available six to ten days after taking the exam |
Test Requirements: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT and TOEFL test requirements are pretty similar in terms of documents and accepted identification cards.
And both of these exams do not have any age limit for those who wish to take them.
However, the SAT is intended and usually taken by high school students. In contrast, any age group can take the TOEFL exam provided that they present a parent consent letter for applicants below the recommended age.
And in terms of the registration process, the SAT and TOEFL exam accepts walk-in registration at their official testing centers.
Also, you can register online for these exams by visiting and creating an account on their official websites.
| Test Eligibility Requirements | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age Requirement | No official age limit for test-takers | No official age limit for test-takers |
| Recommended Age Group to Take the Exam | Suitable for 16 to 19 years old or high school students | Suitable for 17 years old or 11th graders |
| Parent Consent Letter Requirement | Not require | Yes |
| Which Professions take the test? | Any Profession | Any Profession |
| Documents Required | Any valid, unexpired photo ID that is issued by the government. Current school ID that reflects one’s full name and a clear photo. SAT Student ID Form (prepared by the school or notarized if homeschooled) | Any valid, original, and not expired passport containing a picture and signature of the test-taker. |
| What Types of IDs are Accepted? | Any Government-issued ID (driver’s license or non-driver ID card) Official school-produced student ID (current attending school) Government-issued passport or U.S Global Entry Identification Card Military ID or any national identification card | Any National ID with name, photograph, and signature Any Government-issued: Driver’s license Military ID Any national/state/province identity card that reflects your complete name |
| How/Where to Register? | You can register at their official testing centers near you. Or you can register and create an account on their official website which is the CollegeBoard website. | Accepts registration and walk-in applicants for the exam at their official testing centers. Or you can also register online through their official website by creating an ETS account. You may also register by phone and by mail, whichever is convenient for you. |
| Equipment Requirement | None | None |
Practice Tests Offers: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT and TOEFL exams offer their applicants many free practice test materials. It helps the test-takers prepare and familiarizes themselves with the exam structure and the different types of questions used in each test section.
And these SAT and TOEFL practice tests are accessible and downloadable on their official website.
In addition, some practice test materials are sold separately, but you can choose either to purchase them or not.
| SAT | TOEFL | |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Tests | Offers eight official SAT practice tests for free. It is accessible and downloadable from their official website. SAT Free Practice Tests: SAT Paper Practice Tests (Practice Tests 1 to 10) SAT Practice Tests for Assistive Technology (Practice Tests 1 to 10) Khan Academy (Official SAT Practice Online Academy) | Offers free online test prep courses wherein you can easily access them through the TOEFL website. TOEFL free practice tests: TOEFL iBT Free Practice Tests TOEFL iBT Paper Edition Practice Tests TOEFL iBT Free Practice Sets: Reading Practice Sets Listening Practice Sets Speaking Practice Sets Writing Practice Sets |
| Preparation Materials | You can also buy TOEFL Test Preparation Materials. TOEFL Test Practice Products: TOEFL Value Pack Prep Plus TOEFL Value Pack Prep TOEFL Practice Online – Complete Practice Tests TOEFL Practice Online Speaking Series TOEFL Practice Online Speaking and Writing Test TOEFL Practice Online Reading and Listening Test TOEFL Preparation Books: The Official TOEFL Test Savings Bundle The Ultimate TOEFL iBT Test Prep Savings Bundle |
Which Is Easier: SAT or TOEFL?
The SAT and TOEFL are highly accepted and required by many educational institutions as part of their admission process.
These two exams assess the different sets of skills of an individual.
And also, the SAT is suitable for those applicants who wish to enroll in universities and colleges.
In comparison, the TOEFL is a standardized language proficiency exam that evaluates the various language abilities, especially for those non-native English speakers.
The SAT does not focus on non-native speakers’ language skills.
However, it mainly focuses on thinking and math skills. It determines the readiness of the applicant to pursue any college undergraduate programs and courses.
Since the SAT and TOEFL exams have different purposes, these exams are both required by educational institutions for their admission process.
Given the differences between these exams, we cannot entirely compare their difficulty because they evaluate different skills.
Test Recognition: SAT vs. TOEFL?
The SAT is widely used and accepted by many universities and colleges located in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Singapore.
In addition, there are over 800 educational institutions worldwide that recognize this standardized admission test.
The TOEFL is also highly accepted and trusted by educational institutions, government agencies, migration offices, and other multinational companies located in various countries worldwide.
In addition, the TOEFL is also considered one of the top language proficiency exams that are preferred by universities, colleges, and other prominent universities here and abroad. It is also known to provide excellent and accurate language proficiency assessments.
Comparison Table Summary: SAT vs. TOEFL
The SAT and TOEFL are two different sets of exams highly accepted and acknowledged by various educational institutions.
These two exams are among the top requirements for most universities and colleges.
And the SAT and TOEFL significantly differ in terms of the skills it evaluates, their exam structure, length, test requirements, and many more.
You can check the comprehensive table below showing the differences between each test.
| Exam Key Features | SAT | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Test Fee | Regular SAT – USD 55 SAT with Essay – USD 64.50 With a regional fee depending on your location | TOEFL iBT – USD 185 TOEFL PBT – USD 180 |
| Additional Exam Fees | Change Test Center – USD 25 Cancel Registration – USD 25 Cancel Registration (Late) – USD 35 Late Registration – USD 30 Waitlist – USD 53 Additional Score Reports – USD 12 per report Rush Reports – USD 31 Get Scores By Phone – USD 15 per call Archived Scores – USD 31 SAT Questions-and-Answer Service – USD16 SAT Student Answer Service – USD 16 Multiple-Choice Hand Score Verification – USD 55 | Late Registration – USD 40 Rescheduling of Exam – USD 60 Reinstatement Fee for Canceled Scores – USD 20 Request for Additional Score Report Fee – USD 20 each report Request for Score Review for either Speaking or Writing Score – USD 80 Request for Score Review for both the Speaking and Writing Test Section Score – USD 120 each score review Request for Returned Personal Check (Paper or Electronic) Fee – USD 20 |
| Refunds Processing | Yes | Yes |
| Age Requirement for Test Takers | No official age limit for test-takers | No official age limit for test-takers |
| Recommended Age Group to Take the Exam | Suitable for 16 to 19 years old or high school students | Suitable for 17 years old or 11th graders |
| Parent Consent Letter Requirement | Not required | Yes |
| Test Registration Process | You can register at their official testing centers near you. Or you can register and create an account on their official website, which is the CollegeBoard website. | Accepts registration and walk-in applicants for the exam at their official testing centers. Or you can also register online through their official website by creating an ETS account. You may also register by phone and by mail, whichever is convenient for you. |
| Test Registration Requirements | Any valid, unexpired photo ID that is issued by the government. Current school ID that reflects one’s full name and a clear photo. SAT Student ID Form (prepared by the school or notarized if homeschooled) | Any National ID with name, photograph, and signature Any Government-issued: Driver’s license Military ID Any national/state/province identity card that reflects your complete name |
| Equipment Requirement | None | None |
| Exam Frequency | With 7 prescheduled tests given in a year | With over 60 prescheduled tests given in a year |
| Number of Testing Centers Worldwide | With more than 1000 Testing Centers Located in Different Countries | 4, 500 Testing Centers Located in Different Countries |
| Number of Countries Where the Exams are Available | Accepted in over 175 Countries Worldwide | Accepted in over 190 Countries Worldwide |
| Test Scores Validity | Five Years | Two Years |
| Overall Scoring Scale Points | Uses overall scoring scale of 1600 to 400 Essay section overall scoring scale of 8 to 2 points | Uses an overall scoring scale of 120 to 0 points |
| Scoring System | Not Stated | Centralized AI Scoring System |
| CEFR Scale Equivalent | Not Applicable | Yes |
| Test Results Availability | Results are available two to three weeks after taking the exam | Results are available six to ten days after taking the exam |
| Skills that are assessed / Test Structure | Evidence-Based Reading Writing Math | Reading Listening Speaking Writing |
| Test Duration | Regular SAT: 3 Hours and 15 minutes including breaks With Optional Essay: 4 Hours with 5 minutes break | Last up to 3 to 4 Hours with additional 30 minutes check-in period |
| Test Version | None | None |
| Test Delivery Mode | Paper-Based Test | TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) TOEFL Home Edition (Internet-based Test) |
| Accepted By Educational Institutions Worldwide | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted By Government Offices/Migration Worldwide | Not Applicable | Yes |
| Accepted By Multinational Companies Worldwide | Not Applicable | Yes |
Additional FAQs – TOEFL vs. SAT
Which is Better, TOEFL or IELTS or SAT?
The TOEFL and IELTS are among the standardized language proficiency exams that are highly accepted and recognized around the globe to provide quality and reliable language proficiency certification.
In contrast, the SAT is a standardized test widely used as an admission requirement to educational institutions in the USA and other countries.
These three exams play a significant role in the admission process to any university and college you wish to apply to.
It is best to know ahead of the required test you need to take for the institution you are applying for since these three exams are reliable and accurately assess one’s skills.
What Should I Take First TOEFL or SAT?
It depends on the university or college you are applying for. Some will require you to take both exams, and others will only require any of the two.
So if you are planning to take the TOEFL and SAT, it is best to know the preferred test of your chosen institution.
And if, in any case, they require both.
You should take the exam you are most comfortable with since both the SAT and TOEFL exams differ in their evaluation skills.
It is your choice, and you can either take the TOEFL or SAT anyway.
Which One is Better, SAT or IELTS?
The IELTS is an English language proficiency exam, so if you are a non-native English speaker and plan to migrate or study in any English-speaking country, you are required to take the IELTS.
It is to provide a certification of your language proficiency.
The SAT is also required by most universities and colleges in the United States and other countries.
And it only covers the critical reading, writing, and math skills of an individual.
Both the SAT and IELTS measure different skills, and also they have different difficulty levels.
