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The ACT is an all-multiple-choice test given five times a year at various locations. It is an examination designed to measure academic achievement in four major curriculum areas:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Natural Sciences
The ACT Assessment is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
The ACT test doesn't test your intelligence, and it doesn't necessarily reflect your high school grades. It is a predictable test and can be well prepared through practice.
The ACT is a test given to high school juniors who plan to attend college, in order to test their knowledge base.
It's given several times a year, all over the nation.
Scores on the ACT test range from 1-36, and can have a huge impact on whether or not you're admitted to the college of your choice.
The ACT Test Structure
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| Category |
Time &
Questions |
Description |
Focus Area & No of Questions in Each Area |
| English Test |
45 minutes,
75 questions |
English test consists of five passages of nonfiction prose. Each passage contains 15 questions. |
Punctuation (10),
Basic Grammar and Usage (12),
Sentence Structure (18),
Strategy (12),
Organization (11),
and Style (12)
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| Math Test |
60 minutes,
60 questions |
In Math test, knowledge is tested of the basic facts and skills taught in most high school math programs. |
Pre-Algebra (14),
Elementary Algebra (10),
Intermediate Algebra (9),
Coordinate Geometry (9),
Plane Geometry (14),
and Trigonometry (4)
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| Reading Test |
35 minutes,
40 questions |
Reading test includes four passages; one being a fictional narrative, while others being nonfiction discussion of topics from varied fields as the natural sciences, social science, and the humanities.
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Pose Fiction (10),
Humanities (10),
Natural Science (10)
and Social Studies (10) |
| Science Reasoning Test |
35 minutes,
40 questions |
Science reasoning test includes seven passages containing data presentation by means of graphs, tables, charts, or diagrams. Descriptions of experimental studies and their results, and presentations of differing theories or hypotheses relating to a specific scientific query. |
Data Representation (15),
Research Summaries (18),
and
Conflicting Viewpoints (7)
Note: Contents of Science Reasoning Test include: Biology, Earth/Space Science, Chemistry, and Physics.
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Test Strategies
In three states, Colorado, Illinois, and Michigan, the ACT is administered to all High School Juniors as a standard to measure schools and the students; in 2008, Kentucky will join the list.
ACT Test is a timed test, and there are 215 questions, usually getting more difficult as you progress through each section. It's best to not spend too much time on difficult questions, but answer all the ones you're sure of first, and then go back and attempt the harder ones again. You're not penalized for wrong answers, so if you're completely baffled, it's fine to guess. You'll receive your scores between 4-7 weeks after taking the test. You may view them online before that, by paying a small fee, but your college won't get your scores any sooner. If you choose, you can retake the test in your senior year. If you score higher, you can have that score sent to colleges instead. If you score lower, you can use the results from the other ACT test.
Registering for ACT
Registration for the ACT is simple and quick with their online registration form. Students can usually get an ACT test registration packet from their high school counselor. If no registration packets are available, students or counselors can write or call ACT -
* ACT Registration
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, IA 52243-0414
Tel: (319) 337-1270
8:00 am - 8:00 pm Central Time, Monday - Friday
Website: http://www.actstudent.org/
Fee for Registration
There is a basic fee of $29 to register for the ACT.
- Additional fees may apply for phone registration for repeat test takers of $10
- Test date change fee of $20
- Late registration fee of $19
- Test center change fee of $20, etc.
The basic fee includes having student's scores sent to 4 colleges of their choice.
Act Test Dates and Locations |
| Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
(Late Fee Required) |
| September 15, 2007* |
August 10, 2007 |
August 11-24, 2007 |
| October 27, 2007 |
September 21, 2007 |
September 22-October 5, 2007 |
| December 8, 2007 |
November 2, 2007 |
November 3-15, 2007 |
| February 9, 2008** |
January 4, 2008 |
January 5-18, 2008 |
| April 12, 2008 |
March 7, 2008 |
March 8-21, 2008 |
| June 14, 2008 |
May 9, 2008 |
May 10-23, 2008 |
| September 13, 2008* |
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| October 25, 2008 |
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| December 13, 2008 |
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| February 7, 2009** |
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| April 4, 2009 |
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| June 13, 2009 |
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* This test date is available ONLY in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas & Washington
** No testing in State of New York
ACT Tests are administered at high schools and test centers nationwide. Check with your high school or guidance counselor or contact ACT, Inc. for more information.
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