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The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities when making admissions decisions. It measures students' skills in five key areas through multiple-choice questions answered with a pencil on an answer sheet. These areas are: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional).
Most universities in the United States require SAT or ACT scores to be submitted as part of the undergraduate application process. Therefore, any student wishing to apply to a university in the United States must take either the SAT or the ACT.
During the university admissions process, your high school GPA, the courses you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counselors, extracurricular activities (social and cultural), admissions interviews, and your personal statement will all be reviewed alongside your ACT scores, which are required for acceptance.
The ACT provides universities with a common data point for comparing all applicants. Therefore, the higher you score on the ACT, the more universities you will be admitted to and the more scholarship opportunities you will have.
Accepted by all US universities
English, Math, Reading, Science
Time management and solution techniques
A key role in university admissions
The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. The fifth section, Writing, is optional. The total exam duration is 2 hours 55 minutes without Writing, and 3 hours 35 minutes with Writing. Details for each section are as follows:
| Section | No. of Questions & Time Allowed | Content / Skills Assessed | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 75 questions 45 min. |
Grammar and language usage, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetorical strategies, sentence construction, and writing style | Four-option, multiple-choice questions |
| Math | 60 questions 60 min. |
Pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry | Five-option, multiple-choice questions |
| Reading | 40 questions 35 min. |
Reading comprehension of what is directly stated or implied | Four-option, multiple-choice, referring and reasoning questions |
| Science | 40 questions 35 min. |
Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving | Four-option, multiple-choice, research summary, and conflicting viewpoints questions |
| Writing (optional) |
1 essay 40 min. |
Writing skills | Optional essay |
Most high school students take the ACT or SAT, or both, during the spring of their junior year (one year before graduation) or the autumn of their senior year.
If you need to improve your score before applying to any university, you will need to retake the exam.
You can find all upcoming ACT test dates at the top of this page.
The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. Each section is given a scaled score ranging from 1 to 36. These section scores form the average of your composite score, which also ranges from 1 to 36.
So where do these scaled scores come from? The scaled scores from 1 to 36 are converted from the raw scores for each section. Your raw score is the total number of questions you answered correctly in each section. On the ACT, incorrect answers do not negatively affect correctly answered questions.
The most fundamental difference between the SAT and the ACT is that one measures quick comprehension ability while the other measures the conversion of learned knowledge into achievement. The SAT is specifically designed as a test that challenges students' ability to think fast. SAT questions are structured to reveal students' capacity to reason, acquire new information, and demonstrate long-term performance in a university-specific academic environment. The SAT is not a measure of how much of what was learned in high school has been retained. The ACT, on the other hand, is considered an achievement test. The ACT focuses specifically on what the student learned during high school and how much of that knowledge has been retained. The ACT goes far beyond basic math and vocabulary knowledge. Students planning to take the ACT must be prepared for an exam that cumulatively tests knowledge covered in high school courses.
SAT questions, which are highly abstract and assumption-based, ask students how to reason about a problem and how to use their skills to solve a complex question, thereby attempting to evaluate students' capacity to use their skills to achieve positive outcomes. ACT questions, however, are not structured in this way. On the contrary, ACT questions are straightforward. Students are asked about specific concepts they have learned and are expected to either define or apply that knowledge. Those who successfully answer these questions earn points for each correct answer, while incorrect answers have no negative impact on correct answers.
Although they serve the same purpose, the SAT and the ACT differ in key areas concerning which topics are covered, how scores are calculated, and how questions are asked. The difference between the SAT and the ACT relates to the comparison of quick comprehension with achievement, which means that each test result can yield different outcomes depending on the individual student taking the test.
