What Is the ACT Exam and Should You Take It?

Key Takeaway

The ACT (which stands for American College Testing) is a three-hour entrance exam that measures college readiness in English, math, reading, and science. There is also an optional essay section. While it is not required for you to submit your ACT scores to most colleges, it’s generally recommended that students take it to potentially boost their application, demonstrate college readiness, and because it could qualify students for certain scholarships.

Check out these ACT test prep websites to help you study.

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Do you want to give your college application an extra boost by showing your dream school you’re prepared to succeed? Then you may consider taking the ACT exam.

You’ve probably heard your teachers mention how this exam has something to do with “college readiness”…but you’re not sure exactly how. Don’t sweat it—we’re here to guide you in all things ACT. We’ll discuss what it is, why students take it, when to take it, how to register, and most importantly, how to successfully prepare for it.

What Is the ACT?

The ACT is a multiple-choice exam that tests in the areas of math, English, science, reading, and writing. According to ACT Inc., this standardized test is designed to “evaluate how skillfully students solve problems, grasp implied meaning, draw inferences, evaluate ideas, and make judgments.” It was first administered in 1959, testing students on what they learned in high school to determine their readiness for college success. While it was once mandatory to submit ACT or SAT scores to colleges, now more than 80% of U.S. four-year institutions will not require SAT and ACT scores for the fall 2025 admissions cycle.

So, Why Should I Take It?

If the majority of colleges aren’t requiring you to submit your ACT score, then is it actually worth it to take it? We say yes for a couple of reasons:

Boosts Your College Application: Your ACT score can help colleges understand how likely you are to succeed in your first year. Plus, a strong ACT score could be the deciding factor that sets you apart from other applicants!
No Risk: If you take the ACT and are unhappy with your score, you’ve got nothing to lose. With so many schools now test-optional, if you don’t like your score, you don’t have to submit it.
Shows Readiness: Submitting an ACT score shows colleges that you are confident and prepared to take on challenging coursework from day one.
Scholarship Opportunities: Your ACT score can actually help you qualify for certain scholarships, which can help reduce your tuition costs and potentially save you a significant amount of money.

The ACT Overview

The ACT contains multiple-choice questions in four areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. There is also an optional writing test.

English: 45 Minutes, 75 Questions
Math: 60 Minutes, 60 Questions
Reading: 35 Minutes, 40 Questions
Science: 35 Minutes, 40 Questions
Writing (optional): 40 Minutes, 1 Prompt

Time:

You will get exactly 2 hours 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if taking the ACT with writing) to complete the test. You are allowed only one 10-minute break between the math and reading sections. If you are taking the writing portion of the test, you will get a five-minute break between the science and writing.

Scoring:

Each section of the ACT is scored on a scale from 1-36. Your total score is then an average of your four sections, which is also on a scale from 1-36 (note that decimals are rounded to the nearest whole number). Your scores are based on how many questions you answer correctly—there are no deductions for wrong answers. So, for example, let’s say you scored the following:

English: 19
Math: 31
Reading: 28
Science: 25

Your composite ACT score would be 25.75, which would be rounded to 26.

Alongside your composite score, you’ll also see two additional scores on your ACT score report: a STEM score (science and math) and an ELA score (reading and English). You will get a separate score for writing that does not factor into your ACT score. These detailed results provide a comprehensive view of your college readiness across all four sections.

How to Prepare for the ACT Exam

While participating in your classes will definitely help you prepare for the ACT, the biggest concern that students have is pacing themselves. There’s no question that you have little time (with a total of 215 questions, that’s only one minute per question!). This is why it’s important to practice so that you can develop a steady pace when taking the test.

You can check out the ACT website for a free ACT guide to help you prepare. You’ll get access to a full-length practice test (including a writing prompt), what to expect on test day, and general test-taking strategies. However, if you need more practice, you can always invest in ACT prep books, online courses, and tutors.

Should I Take the ACT Instead of the SAT?

Between the ACT and SAT, many students wonder if they should take one exam or the other, or both. Most colleges will accept both and do not favor one over the other, so while it won’t hurt to take both, you might choose to take one over the other. They are both similar in time, so to find the best first for you, try taking a practice test first. While at first glance they may seem similar, here are some reasons why you might choose the ACT over the SAT:

The ACT includes a science section, which can be helpful for college admissions for those wanting to study STEM.
The ACT focuses on practical language skills, versus complex vocabulary.
Your ACT report gives detailed results so that you can assess your strengths and weaknesses.
You can choose to receive an answer key with your test to see which questions you missed and which ones you got right.
The ACT has a writing section so that you can showcase your writing skills to colleges.
The ACT is broken into four smaller sections, while the SAT has fewer, longer sections.

When Should I Take the ACT Exam?

Most high schoolers take the ACT during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. This is so you’ll have your scores back before college applications are due or if you need to retake the test before applying. The ACT is offered seven times a year (September, October, December, February, April, June, and July).

Registration and Payment for the ACT

To register for the ACT, visit the official ACT site to find the next available test dates. You’ll see the regular registration deadline and the late registration deadline. Once on the site, you’ll create an account to view all the test dates, testing centers, and pay the registration fee. You can even set up reminders through email or text. The 2024 cost breakdown is as follows:

US without Writing: $68.00
US with Writing: $93.00
Test Option Change: $25.00

ACT Test Day

When test day arrives, you’ll want to plan to arrive early so you’ll have plenty of time to check in, use the bathroom, and get settled. Don’t forget to dress comfortably as you’ll be sitting for 3 hours. Here’s what to bring with you and what to leave at home:

Bring This:

Your Admission Ticket (You can print this ticket in MyACT)
A Current Photo ID
Number 2 Pencils (nothing else is accepted)
A Watch or Other Timing Device (With NO alarm)
A Permitted Calculator
Snacks for Break Only

Do Not Bring:

Highlighters, Pens, Markers
Textbooks, Scratch Paper, Notes
Any Electronic Device Other than a Calculator
Reading Material

The ACT is a college entrance exam that tests your high school knowledge in English, math, reading, and science. To prepare, study the content areas, take practice tests, and get familiar with the test format. If you’re unhappy with your score, you don’t have to submit it. You don’t have to take it, but keep in mind that a strong score can boost your application, improve your chances of admission, and even qualify you for scholarships! Taking the ACT can show colleges you are ready and have what it takes to succeed.

Want to see how your ACT scores could increase your chances of getting into your dream school? Use College Raptor’s College Search tool to get matched with schools based on your test scores, GPA, major, and more!