What is the ACT test? The ACT is a college entrance exam. It is used by most colleges and universities in the US to make decisions about admitting students to their institutions. ACT or SAT scores are required by colleges as part of their admissions process. If you want to apply to your preferred college, you must take the ACT in order to acquire a score.
The agency that administers the ACT is ACT, Inc. The test is a paper-and-pencil test and consists of multiple-choice questions. When your target colleges ask you how ready you are to study at their institution, you metaphorically respond with your ACT score. This is primarily because the ACT has been designed to measure the college readiness of high school students. Admissions officers at accredited colleges review their applicants’ standardized test scores along with their high school GPA. Additional requirements are your letters of recommendation, the high school classes you attended, the extracurricular activities you participated in, your personal essay, and your admission interviews. The value placed on ACT scores when it comes to college admissions varies from school to school. However, it will be to your advantage if you score high on the ACT so you can take advantage of more college-related options and pay for them.
When is the best time to take the ACT?
High school students generally choose to take the ACT and SAT. They can take one or both during their junior year in the spring, or their senior year in the fall. You should incorporate strategic planning for your college admissions test by allowing time to retake it. You may need to increase your score according to the requirements of your chosen universities. You can choose between the months of September, October, December, February, April, June or July to take the ACT test. It is offered nationally every year. However, there are exceptions for New York State, where the test is not available in February and July, and California, where there is no July ACT test date.
What are the different sections covered by the ACT test?
There are four, and they are on the topics of:
- English
- Math
- Sciences
- Reading
You have the option of taking the 40-minute writing test along with these. It depends on your goals or personal preferences. Some colleges require their applicants to also have an ACT essay score. First of all, ask about the admission policies of your destination universities on this matter. The ACT is a strictly timed test, taking a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. If you take the Rehearsal test, the total duration will be 3 hours and 35 minutes.
What is the ACT Test Scoring System?
You will be scored on a scale of 1 to 36 points for each section of the test. Your composite score will be obtained by calculating the average of all your scores in each section, and this is also measured on a scale from 1 to 36 points. If you took the ACT Writing Test, your score will be measured separately.
How do I register for the ACT test?
It makes sense to register early for your exam. Deadlines are usually set 5 weeks before the scheduled ACT test date. Registration materials can be obtained from your school counselor, or you can register online by visiting the official ACT website.
