What is the ACT?

The ACT Assessment is a national college admission examination that consists of tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The four areas tested by the ACT are scored and reported separately and also as part of a single composite score with a maximum of 36. The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes.

ACT now has an optional 30-minute Writing test as an optional component to the ACT Assessment. The ACT Writing Test will complement the English Test. The combined information from both tests will tell postsecondary institutions about students' understanding of the conventions of standard written English and their ability to produce a direct sample of writing.

How does the ACT compare to the SAT1?

The ACT appeals to many students because it is more explicitly achievement- based than the SAT1, does not penalize errors, has a science section, and relies less on advanced vocabulary. It also does not include math grid-in items.

You can get a rough idea of how the SAT1 and ACT scores compare by looking at an equilibration chart. For another perspective, you can look at a chart of percentile ranks for ACT scores and SAT1 scores.

Who takes it?

Students can take it starting whenever they wish. Most students take it once their junior year, then again in senior year if they have the motivation to work on raising their score through practice and preparation.

When is it administered?

In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates, in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states, the ACT is also offered in late September. See the Testing Schedule for this year and next year.

Where can you take it?

The ACT is offered at many sites in the Seattle area. See the ACT website for a list of Test Sites near you.

What is the cost?

Click to go to ACT Registration for procedures and fee structure.

Why should you take it?

The ACT Assessment tests are now accepted by all colleges and universities in the U.S., including all of the Ivy League schools.

The ACT Assessment tests are curriculum-based. The ACT Assessment is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what you have learned in your high school courses in English, mathematics, and science. Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable with the ACT than they are with the traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content.

The ACT also provides test takers with an interest inventory that provides information for career and educational planning and a student profile section that provides a profile of the student's work in high school and future plans.

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