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Exam Overview
What the ACT Aspire Early High School Test Is
ACT Aspire is a summative assessment system created by ACT that measures progress toward college and career readiness. The Early High School level is the high school form of the test, designed for grades 9 and 10. It reports a score for each subject and connects those scores to the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, so a student can see whether they are on track for success in first-year college courses.
Sections, Items and Timing
| Section | Items | Time | Item types |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 62 | 45 min | Multiple choice |
| Mathematics | 48 | 75 min | Multiple choice, technology-enhanced, constructed response |
| Reading | 32 | 65 min | Multiple choice, constructed response |
| Science | 44 | 60 min | Multiple choice, technology-enhanced, constructed response |
| Writing | 1 essay | 40 min | Analytical expository essay |
- Sections can be given in any order, on one day or across several days. Each section must be finished on the day it is started.
- The test is taken online by default. Paper versions (regular print, large print and braille) are available only with state approval.
- A scientific calculator is built into the online Mathematics test.
- Multiple-choice items have four answer choices. Constructed-response items ask you to write a short answer, show work or explain your reasoning.
- Arizona's spring window: computer-based testing March 22 – April 16, paper-based testing March 22 – April 2.
What Each Test Measures
| Test | Reporting categories | What the questions look like |
|---|---|---|
| English | Production of Writing · Knowledge of Language · Conventions of Standard English | Essays with bold (underlined) portions to revise, plus questions about adding, deleting and organizing sentences |
| Mathematics | Number & Quantity · Algebra · Functions · Geometry · Statistics & Probability · Integrating Essential Skills · Modeling · Justification & Explanation | Problem solving with and without real-world contexts; some items ask you to explain or justify an answer |
| Reading | Key Ideas & Details · Craft & Structure · Integration of Knowledge & Ideas | Literary and informational passages, including paired texts; short written answers with evidence |
| Science | Interpretation of Data · Scientific Investigation · Evaluation of Models, Inferences & Experimental Results | Passages with tables, graphs, experiments and conflicting viewpoints; reasoning more than recall |
| Writing | Ideas & Analysis · Development & Support · Organization · Language Use & Conventions | One analytical expository essay that explains and analyzes an idea |
How the Test Is Scored
Each test receives a scale score on the ACT Aspire scale (scores in the 400s). You earn points for correct answers and there is no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave an item blank. Constructed-response items and the essay can earn partial credit.
| Score | How it is figured |
|---|---|
| Subject scale scores | English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and Writing each get their own score |
| Composite | Rounded average of English, Mathematics, Reading and Science |
| ELA score | Average of English, Reading and Writing |
| STEM score | Average of Mathematics and Science |
| Skill (reporting-category) scores | Points earned out of points possible, with a percent, for each category |
| Predicted ACT score | An estimated ACT score range for grade 11, assuming typical growth |
ACT Readiness Benchmarks
A benchmark is the score that shows a student is on track to meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmark by grade 11. Each subject score is labeled Exceeding, Ready, Close or In Need of Support; Exceeding and Ready mean the student is at or above the benchmark.
| Grade | English | Reading | Math | Science | ELA | STEM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 426 | 425 | 428 | 430 | 428 | 435 |
| 10 | 428 | 428 | 432 | 432 | 430 | 437 |
Test-Day Rules at a Glance
- Bring what your school asks for; the online calculator is provided in the Math test (follow your school's policy on handheld calculators).
- Scratch paper is provided for working problems. Phones and other devices are not allowed.
- Accommodations and accessibility supports are arranged in advance through your school.
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