ACT

The ACT is a standardized college admission test accepted by colleges and universities across the United States. Developed and administered by ACT, a nonprofit organization, it measures the English, math, and reading skills that are essential for success in first-year college courses, with optional science and writing tests. Many colleges use ACT scores in admission decisions and scholarship awards, and many states give the ACT to high school juniors during the school day.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The ACT has three required tests (English, Math, and Reading) and two optional tests (Science and Writing). You choose the optional tests when you register. The tests are given in the order shown below, and all multiple-choice questions have four answer choices.

Sections,Questions,Andtime

Test	Questions			Time			WhatItMeasures
English	50			35minutes			Grammar punctuation sentencestructure organization andrhetorical , , , ,
							skillsinrevisingandeditingpassages
Math	45			50minutes			Numberandquantity algebra functions geometryandtrigonometry , , , ,
							statisticsandprobability andmodeling;calculatorallowed ,
Reading	36			40minutes			Comprehensionandanalysisofliterarynarrative socialscience , ,
							humanities andnaturalsciencepassages ,
Science(optional)	40			40minutes			Interpretingdata evaluatingexperiments andcomparingscientific , ,
							modelsandviewpoints
Writing(optional)	1essay			40minutes			Developingandsupportinganargumentonanissuewhileanalyzing
							multipleperspectives
CoreTestOnly						WithScience WithScienceandWriting
English Math andReading:131 , ,						Adds 40 questions and 40 minutes for Adds the 40 -minute essay for 3 hours , ,
questionsin2hours5	minutesof					2hours45minutesoftestingtime 25minutesoftestingtime plusbreaks . , .
testingtime .

Scoring

Each multiple-choice test is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Your Composite score, also 1 to 36, is the average of your English, Math, and Reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question, and there is no passing or failing score: each college decides how it uses ACT scores.

Composite

1–36

Average of English, Math, and Reading

Section scores

1–36

One score for each multiple-choice test you take

STEM score

1–36

Average of Math and Science (reported if you take Science)

ELA score

1–36

Average of English, Reading, and Writing (reported if you take Writing)

Writing

2–12

Rounded average of four domain scores; does not affect the Composite

+ +

➜

Scored 1–36

Scored 1–36

Scored 1–36

Average of the three, rounded

Your score report also shows your performance in each reporting category, which tells you exactly which skills to focus on if you test again. If you take the ACT more than once, ACT can report a superscore that averages your best English, Math, and Reading scores across test dates, and many colleges consider it; check each college's score policy.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Administeredby	ACT anonprofitorganization ,
Whotakesit	Mostlyhighschooljuniorsandseniorsapplyingtocollege
Format	Onlineattestcentersoronpaper;manystatesanddistrictsgiveitatschool
Questions	131inthecoretest(50English 45Math 36Reading);40morewithScience;oneessaywithWriting , ,
Questiontype	Multiplechoicewithfouranswerchoices;thewritingtestisanessay
Time	2hours5minutesforthecoretest;2hours45minuteswithScience;add40minutesforWriting
Calculator	PermittedontheentireMathtest(checkACT'scalculatorpolicyforprohibitedmodels)
Scoring	Compositeandsectionscores1–36;Writing2–12;nopenaltyforguessing
Registrationfees	$70forthecoretest;$75withScience;$95withWriting;$100withboth Lateregistrationadds$42 . ,
	andatestdateorcenterchangecosts$49 Feewaiversareavailabletoeligiblestudents . .
Scorereports	Reportstoyou yourhighschool anduptofourcollegesareincludedwhenyouregister , ,
Retakes	Allowed;youcantaketheACTupto12times andmanystudentstesttwoorthreetimes ,

Why the ACT Matters

The ACT gives colleges a standardized measure for evaluating

Many colleges and scholarship programs use ACT scores as a

applicants from different schools and grading systems. A

criterion for merit awards, so a strong performance can reduce

strong score can strengthen your application, especially at

the cost of college.

schools that require or recommend scores.

Registering and Test Day

Register through your MyACT account for a national test date, or take the ACT at school if your state or district offers it. Choose whether to add Science and Writing when you register. On test day, bring your admission ticket, an acceptable photo ID, sharpened No. 2 pencils and an eraser for a paper test, and a permitted calculator. A watch without an alarm, a water bottle, and a snack for the break are also helpful.