ACT
The ACT is a multiple-choice, college entrance exam that measures a student’s knowledge of high school material. It is typically taken during junior year of high school. English, mathematics, reading, and science are required sections included in every ACT test. There is an optional writing portion, which some colleges and universities require for admission.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ below for answers to some common questions.
How is the test scored?
Each section is scored between 1 and 36, and then these scores are averaged into a composite score. These scores come from your “raw score” which is the number of questions you get right. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answering every question, even if you guess, is important to maximize your score.
You can find more information on understanding ACT scores here.
How should I prepare for the ACT?
Since the ACT is a timed test, you’ll want to prepare differently than you would for a regular test. In addition to mastering the material, you will need to be able to answer the questions quickly. There are many resources to help you prepare from online study guides to the official ACT Prep Guide. In addition to going through these study materials, students often find tutoring helpful for the subjects that they struggle with.
Here is a link to the ACT's official test prep site.
Who strategies can I use to improve my score?
Pace yourself. The ACT is known as an “endurance test.” It is a long test, so students often find themselves with test fatigue before finishing. Because of this, it is important to pace yourself so that you do not run out of energy before the test is over.
Skip around. Don’t spend too much time on difficult questions. All questions are worth the same amount of points, so just skip questions that take up a lot of your time.
Read all directions and questions carefully. To increase your chances of getting a question right, you want to make sure you fully understand the directions and what the question is asking.
Answer every question. Since wrong answers are not penalized, it is best to answer every question, even if you don’t know the answer. If you still have several questions left when the proctor announces 5 minutes left, fill in your bubble sheet completely and then go back to work on those questions and change the answer if needed.
Review your work. Try to finish the test early so that you can review your work and change answers if needed. After time is called for a particular section, you cannot go back and change answers.
What is a good score?
A “good score” depends on what school you are trying to get into. Look at the admissions requirements for the schools, which you plan to apply. Often, schools have scholarships based on ACT scores, so you might need a higher score than the admissions minimum to get scholarships. In your score report, you will receive a percentile ranking which allows you to compare your scores to other test takers