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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 + optional Science/Writing
Time management and solution techniques
A key role in university admissions
The ACT has moved into the Enhanced ACT structure. The main Composite score is now calculated from English, Math, and Reading. Science is optional; students who take Science receive a separate Science score and STEM score. Writing remains optional.
| Section | Status | Content / Skills | Scoring Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Core section | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetoric, and writing style | Included in the Composite score. |
| Math | Core section | Algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry, and problem solving | Included in the Composite score. |
| Reading | Core section | Reading comprehension, inference, and passage analysis | Included in the Composite score. |
| Science | Optional | Data interpretation, experimental design, graphs, and scientific reasoning | Not included in the Composite; reported separately with STEM. |
| Writing | Optional | Academic argument and written expression | Reported separately; not included in the Composite. |
International ACT testing is also moving through enhanced content and shorter-test updates in 2026. Students should check ACT's current notes for the selected test date and test center before registering.
Students usually take the ACT or SAT during the spring of 11th grade or the autumn of 12th grade. If retesting may be needed to reach the target score, preparation should be planned 6-12 months in advance.
Test dates should be chosen together with application deadlines, score release timing, and each target university's testing policy.
ACT section scores are reported on a 1-36 scale. The current Composite score is the average of English, Math, and Reading. If Science is taken, a separate Science score and STEM score are reported; if Writing is taken, the writing score is reported separately.
Wrong answers do not subtract points from correct answers, so ACT preparation should combine speed, accuracy, and question-selection strategy.
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.
