What is the ACT? The ACT is a standardized examused during college admissions processes in the United States.
ACT Overview: The ACT has four mandatory multiple-choice sections which are always presented in the same order: (1) English, (2) Math, (3) Reading, and (4) Science. There’s also an optional (5) Writing section for a total of five test sections. The total test time without the Writing section is 2 hours and 55 minutes. The total test time with the Writing section is 3 hours and 35 minutes. The sections within the ACT: 1. English Number of questions: 75 Time limit: 45 minutes Approximate time per question: 36 seconds Question type: Multiple choice with four answer choices
2. Math Number of questions: 60 Time limit: 60 minutes Approximate time per question: 1 minute Question type: Multiple choice with five answer choices
3. Reading Number of questions: 40 Time limit: 35 minutes Approximate time per question: 52 seconds Question type: Multiple choice with four answer choices 4. Science Number of questions: 40 Time limit: 35 minutes Approximate time per question: 52 seconds Question type: Multiple choice with four answer choices
5. Writing (Optional) Number of questions: 1 Time limit: 40 minutes Approximate time per question: 40 minutes Question type: Essay prompt
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Answers:
When should i take the ACT?
In retrospect, there is not one perfect time to take the ACT, but most students will take this exam during their junior year. Although students may take the exam any time during their high-school career, it is much better to wait until the end of sophomore year to take the exam– due to the material that is tested on the ACT(A concise foundation in Math & English). For highly motivated individuals, the best time to take your first ACT would be July during your sophomore summer. For other students, the best time would be later; either the fall, or the spring. As a consequence, you may take the exam multiple times until you reach a score that you feel comfortable with. Also, please understand that if you take the ACT more than four times, you will most likely not see a drastic difference in your ACT score.
do i have to take the act?
Any student interested in pursuing higher education(college) should certainly take the SAT or ACT; due to its emphasis in admission processes across the United States. However, you must also recognize that certain colleges have test optional policies; therefore, if you feel that your SAT or ACT score does not reflect your potential, you do not have to submit your SAT or ACT whatsoever.
In addition, students who take the ACT tend to be individuals who prefer exams that are time sensitive. Therefore, if you are someone who panics when faced with a time crunch, the SAT would be a better option for you. Overall, please take a diagnostic exam for both the SAT & ACT, and decide which exam is a better fit for you.
What is a good act score?
Each university has its interval for what they consider to be the average ACT score for that school. Thus, it is best to research the colleges you wish to be accepted to and try your best to fall within the 25th and 75th percentile of the school's ACT range. However, having a lower than average ACT score certainly does not correlate to immediate rejection; similar to having an ACT score that is above the average. There are countless other factors that are implemented in college admissions. Nevertheless, there is a pattern that the more selective a school is, the higher ACT average will be.
how can i send my scores to colleges, and can I cancel them?
There are three different types of ACT score reports. Whenever you register for the ACT, you have the option to send four free score reports. Regular reports (reports sent after the free score report period) cost $12 per test date per school.Priority reports for the ACT cost $16.50 per test date per school. These are processed two days after the ACT receives your request, as opposed to a week after the request for regular score reports. Also, you can have your ACT scores sent to colleges by ordering your score reports through your ACT Web Account. You can select up to 8 test date and school combinations per score report order. Other methods of sending score reports include:
Most students will take the ACT twice during the spring of their junior year, and once during their senior year. It is also important to observe that these schedules may vary on a case to case basis. Some students may achieve their desired ACT score faster than other students, but please view this process as individualistic. Overall, most students take the ACT at least three times, and it is recommended that students do not take the ACT more than four times because you will most likely not see a drastic difference as it relates to your ACT score.
HOW MUCH DOES THE act COST ?
The ACT (no writing):$52.00Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). The ACT with writing:$68.00Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). More about the ACT with writing Test option change $16.00:The writing test fee is refundable on written request if you are absent on test day or switch to ACT (no writing) before testing begins.
But, please recognize that that there are also fee waivers for the ACT. If you are testing on a national test date and can't afford the registration fee for the ACT or ACT with writing, you may be eligible for an ACT Fee Waiver. Speak to the counselors to obtain more information. 2 free ACTs, with or without the essay Other ACT fees come into play if you sign up during the late registration period, sign up by phone, or change an existing registration.
WHEN SHOULD I START PREPPING FOR THE act?
This question mainly relies on the ideal score that you have in mind, but most students will prepare for the ACT during their junior year. In addition, students who are highly motivated can start to prepare for the ACT after their sophomore year- during the summer. Therefore, if you wish to gain a high score on the ACT; it is best that you prepare as early as sophomore summer/ beginning of junior year to achieve this score. The best method for preparing for any exam is to take a diagnostic, in an effort to gauge the material or problems that you need to improve on. Thus, please use accurate materials while studying for this exam, hence, Official ACT Practice Tests. You may also buy extra prep books to help you achieve your desired score, but this is in no way possible for every student. Furthermore, please reference the ACT Resources section for more information on free ACT resources, or extra prep books.
Bring both your testing ticket and a photo ID the day of the test, or you may not be allowed to take the test.
how can i cancel my sat score
In most cases, it is not recommended to cancel your ACT score unless you feel the exam went horribly.
If you cancel your scores, this means your test will not be graded and you will not receive a score report. Students usually do this if something unexpected happens during the test– for example they get suddenly sick or an emergency pops up.
Canceling your scores does not come with a refund, so we only recommend doing this in an extreme situation. You should only cancel your scores if you can't finish the test.
Cancellation Deadline You must cancel no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Thursday after your test date. Students with disabilities might have a different deadline—see below.
Option 1: At the Test Center After the test, ask the test coordinator for a Request to Cancel Test Scores form. Complete and sign the form. Return the form to the test coordinator before leaving the center. Option 2: After You Leave the Test Center Your written, signed request must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the Thursday after the test date.
Also, if you truly do not feel satisfied with the testing session, you can omit the testing record completely by sending a written request to ACT.