ACT

DEFINITION of the ACT:
A major competitor of the College Board’s SAT Reasoning Test, the ACT is divided into four multiple- choice tests, including English, Reading, Mathematics and Science Reasoning. A writing test is also offered with a score ranging from 2 to 12. Subject test scores range from 1 to 36. ACT also offers a composite score, which is the average of all four tests. The writing score does not affect the composite score.

THE BOTTOM LINE
ACT scores are accepted in place of and equal to SAT scores by college admissions offices. Some students prefer the ACT and get higher scores on it, while others prefer the SAT and get higher scores on it.

The ACT is comprised of the following tests:

English (75 questions), 45 minutes
Math (60 questions), 60 minutes
Reading (40 questions), 35 minutes
Science (40 questions), 35 minutes
Optional Writing Test (1 essay), 30 minutes

The total amount of time for the ACT is 3 hours and 25 minutes. ACT tests are offered in September, October, December, February, April and June.

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! One of the real advantages of the ACT is that a student can choose which test sitting he or she wants sent to a college. In other words, if your composite ACT score was higher on a December test date than on a September one, you can ask ACT to ONLY send the December test scores.

However, ACT does not allow you to select individual test scores from different test dates, nor will they average test scores from different test dates.

JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE FOR TAKING THE ACT
Because fall of your senior year is unusually crowded with classes, activities and especially filling out college applications, seriously consider taking the ACT test before the end of your junior year. If you are not satisfied with your scores, you can always re-take it as a senior in the fall.

SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE FOR TAKING THE ACT
Seniors Planning to Apply Early Decision or Early Action: Because the deadlines for Early Decision and Early Action applications are often as early as the first of November, the latest a student can take the ACT is September or October of his/her senior year. Remember, June is the last testing date of any school year. No tests are offered in the summer.

Seniors Applying Regular Decision: If you have not taken the ACT in your junior year, you still have time to take it as a senior (September, October and December). The sooner you are prepared and get the ACT out of the way, the better it is. For regular decision applications, take the ACT no later than the December testing date in your senior year.