The ACT, or American College Testing, is another standardized test used for college admissions in the United States, similar to the SAT. It assesses students' academic readiness for college in four main subject areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional writing section.

Here are the key components of the ACT:

1. English: This section tests students' understanding of standard English conventions and their ability to revise and edit passages to improve clarity and effectiveness.
2. Mathematics: The math section covers topics typically taught through grade 12, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Calculators are allowed for certain portions of this section.
3. Reading: The reading section presents passages and questions that assess students' comprehension, critical reasoning, and analysis of literary and informational texts.
4. Science: The science section evaluates students' reasoning skills in the context of scientific data and experimental design. It includes questions based on charts, graphs, experiments, and conflicting viewpoints.
5. Writing (Optional): Similar to the SAT, the ACT includes an optional Writing section where students write an essay in response to a provided prompt. This section tests students' ability to develop an argument and support it with relevant examples and evidence.

Scores on the ACT range from 1 to 36 for each of the four mandatory sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science), and the optional Writing section is scored separately on a scale from 2 to 12. The composite score, which is the average of the four mandatory section scores, ranges from 1 to 36.

Colleges and universities accept both SAT and ACT scores for admissions purposes, and students often choose which test to take based on their strengths and preferences. Like the SAT, strong performance on the ACT can enhance an applicant's chances of admission and qualify students for scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Who Takes It?

High School Juniors and Seniors

When/How frequently is it taken?

Offered multiple times throughout the year. The test dates vary, but typically fall on Saturdays.

How is it administered?

Online administration

For more information on American College Testing (ACT) please click here.