What is the ACT?
Created by ACT Inc., the ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities in the US to make admissions decisions. The idea is to provide colleges with one common criterion to compare all applicants. The ACT is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February*, April and June.
What does the ACT test?
The ACT has four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science, as well as an optional 30-minute writing test. Some schools may require the writing test, so be sure to ask before you take it. You'll earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21. More about what's on the different sections of the ACT.
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
The decision of which one to take may be determined simply by whatever admission criteria is laid out by your school of choice. However, if the school doesn't specify which test it wants, making the "best" choice can be about your preference for test-taking. Although there is no hard science that proves that the ACT or SAT is easier, you probably want to determine which test format is better suited to your strengths. Each test has a different structure and different emphases, and familiarity with their individual structures may help you sort out which is better suited to you. More about the SAT vs. the ACT.
How do I prepare?
How to Prep for the ACT English Section:
ACT–SAT Prep: English Test Strategies and Tips
ACT Sparknotes English Test
How to Prep for the ACT Math Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Math Test Strategies and Tips
ACT Sparknotes Math Test
How to Prep for the ACT Reading Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Reading Test Strategies
ACT Test Prep About.com
How to Prep for the ACT Science Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Science Strategies
SAT Sample Science Questions
How to Prep for the ACT Writing Section:
ACT Writing Tips
ACT Sample Writing Prompts
Additional ACT Prep Help
ACT-SAT Prep: ACT Words
Info: ACT Testing Tips
Created by ACT Inc., the ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities in the US to make admissions decisions. The idea is to provide colleges with one common criterion to compare all applicants. The ACT is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February*, April and June.
What does the ACT test?
The ACT has four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science, as well as an optional 30-minute writing test. Some schools may require the writing test, so be sure to ask before you take it. You'll earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21. More about what's on the different sections of the ACT.
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
The decision of which one to take may be determined simply by whatever admission criteria is laid out by your school of choice. However, if the school doesn't specify which test it wants, making the "best" choice can be about your preference for test-taking. Although there is no hard science that proves that the ACT or SAT is easier, you probably want to determine which test format is better suited to your strengths. Each test has a different structure and different emphases, and familiarity with their individual structures may help you sort out which is better suited to you. More about the SAT vs. the ACT.
How do I prepare?
How to Prep for the ACT English Section:
ACT–SAT Prep: English Test Strategies and Tips
ACT Sparknotes English Test
How to Prep for the ACT Math Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Math Test Strategies and Tips
ACT Sparknotes Math Test
How to Prep for the ACT Reading Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Reading Test Strategies
ACT Test Prep About.com
How to Prep for the ACT Science Section:
ACT-SAT Prep: Science Strategies
SAT Sample Science Questions
How to Prep for the ACT Writing Section:
ACT Writing Tips
ACT Sample Writing Prompts
Additional ACT Prep Help
ACT-SAT Prep: ACT Words
Info: ACT Testing Tips