The ACT is an achievement test that measures grammar, reading comprehension, mathematical, and science skills. In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates, in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states, the ACT is also offered in late September. See http://www.act.org for registration information.
Colleges and universities use the ACT as one measure among others—class rank, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations—of a student's readiness to do college-level work. ACT scores are compared with the scores of other applicants and the accepted scores at an institution. Scores can also be used as a basis for awarding scholarships and merit-based financial aid. At many colleges and universities, the ACT is accepted by admissions officers in lieu of the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests.
| Section | Time | Number of Questions | Content Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Test | 45 minutes | 75 multiple-choice questions | Ability to apply conventions of standard written English and rhetorical skills |
| Math Test | 60 minutes | 60 multiple-choice questions (appear in order of increasing difficulty) | Knowledge of algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry |
| Reading Test | 35 minutes | 40 multiple-choice questions based on four reading passages (fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural science) | Ability to identify themes, extract salient details and understand meaning in context |
| Science Test | 35 minutes | 40 multiple-choice questions based on seven passages | Ability to interpret charts, tables, and graphs, analyze and evaluate data, reason scientifically, and problem-solve |
| Essay (optional) | 30 minutes | 1 essay question | Ability to apply the conventions of standard written English in the context of a persuasive argument responding to a prompt |
Each multiple-choice section is graded on a scale of 1-36. These 4 scores are averaged for a student's composite score. The essay is graded on a scale of 2-12, and is not figured into the composite score. Students who take the essay do receive a combined English Test/essay score on a scale of 1-36, in which the essay figures as 1/3 of the English score. Unlike the SAT, the ACT does not penalize students for guessing.
Although the essay is optional, students are strongly recommended to sign up for it, for many universities will require a standardized writing sample. To see if a school you are considering requires the ACT essay, go to http://actrs19.act.org/app3/writPrefRM/. This information is subject to change, however, so be certain to consult a college counselor before making any decisions regarding the essay portion of the ACT.
Please note that the ACT offers score choice, which means that a student can choose the score from his or her best administration and have only that score sent to colleges. Essay scores cannot be sent separately—if a student wishes to send a particular essay score to a college, he or she must also send the results of the multiple choice portion of the same test.
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