What is ACT? Eligibility, Important Dates & Format

ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized examination that is taken by high school students to secure admission to their desired colleges in the United States of America (USA) and some English-speaking countries. The test measures students’ readiness to enter college and provides colleges with the necessary data to evaluate undergraduate applicants. The ACT exam assesses the mathematical, written, scientific and verbal skills of the candidate. It comprises four sections - English, Math, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional Writing test, which an aspirant might be required to take depending on the admission criteria set by the college/university.

Who can take the ACT test?

There is no age limit or requirement for the ACT test-takers. However, it is mostly taken by high school graduates to enter college. It can also be taken by students from sixth to ninth grades.

ACT Exam Eligibility

• High school graduates have to mandatorily take the test to prove their readiness to enter college
• Students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 can also take the test
• Those below 13 years of age can’t register for the ACT entrance exam 
• There is no upper age limit prescribed by the conducting body of ACT
• Applicants must have a valid passport. This serves as an identification card
• The candidate or parent/guardian must possess an international Debit/Credit card to pay the test charge
• Applicants must take the test at least two months prior to the college/university deadline. This is suggested as the result is declared between two to eight weeks after the ACT test
• Though there are no separate eligibility criteria for the ACT, students should meet the course-wise eligibility criteria set by the college/university they are applying to

How to register for the ACT exam?

A candidate will have to register for ACT test online. Though there is an offline option, the online one is faster, and it will approximately take him/her 30 minutes to complete the process. All that is required is a credit card/voucher, academic documents, digital headshots, and an email address.

• Create a MyACT account on www.global.act.org
• Sign in to the MyACT account and fill out the application form
• Pick a test session
• Select the desired date and the option (with or without writing)
• Choose four colleges that would deliver the ACT scores
• Make the payment
• Upload the photograph

Read more: ACT Writing Test

ACT 2022 - 23 Important Dates

Morning and afternoon sessions will be offered for each of the two ACT exam dates.

ACT Fee

The ACT test fee is non-refundable, except for the optional writing test fee which is refundable if requested through a written document.

Additional charges

The additional fee is added to the test charge. 

ACT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The ACT exam comprises four compulsory sections and one optional section, let’s understand each of them in terms of the number of questions asked and the time allotted.

ACT Exam Test Centers

The ACT exam in India is conducted multiple times a year across major cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Noida, Vadodara, and Pune. 

How is the ACT score calculated?

To know about ACT exam, it is necessary to understand the scoring system of the examination. Each section of ACT - English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science is scored on a point scale of 1 to 36. The composite score of the examination is calculated by taking an average of all four sections. Students opting for the optional writing test are awarded a writing score of that section ranging from two (lowest) to 12 (highest), without any effect on the composite score and the average score ranges from six to seven. Here are the ways in which a score is calculated in the ACT exam. 

Step 1: Correctly answered questions are counted for each section. These scores are called raw scores. Each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking.

Step 2: The raw scores are changed into scale scores. The scale score is the final score and ranges from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest). It is important to note that raw score doesn’t translate to scale score. The conversion of the raw score into scale score is an equating process and is done to ensure consistency of scores across all test dates, irrespective of the level of the examination.

Step 3: The average of scale scores (as calculated for all four sections) is called the composite score, which is rounded off to the nearest whole number if it is in a fraction.

Each ACT test has a different raw score to scale the score conversion chart, depending on the level of the examination.

Read More: Act Reading Test- Overview, Syllabus 

Sample ACT scoring chart

Find below the sample ACT scoring chart, as available on the testing agency’s website:

How to Check ACT Exam Results?

Once the scores are revealed, aspirants can check them using their MyACT account. The ACT exam result is valid for a duration of five years. The steps to check the scores are as follows:

• Scores of multiple-choice questions can be seen two business days after the test for those who have taken the computer-based test. Candidates who had taken the test in pen-and-pencil format can check their scores two to 10 weeks after the exam.
• Scores for the Writing test are available two to three weeks after the release of multiple-choice scores.

Tips on how to prepare for a high ACT score

1. Prepare a strategy for each section: One should not rely on others to chalk out a plan for their ACT exam preparation. Candidates should understand their strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly to tackle each section in their unique way.
2. Don’t leave any questions: There is no negative marking. So, candidates should take chances, even if they are unsure. They might not know the correct answer, but they can cross out the wrong ones to ultimately make an informed guess about the correct answer. 
3. Decide on a target score: Analyze the cut-offs for previous years to come up with a target score. Aim for that target score even while taking practice tests. 
4. Use good quality study material: If aspirants are preparing at home, they should ensure that they refer to the best preparation books or material available. Seek help from those who have already achieved a good ACT score. 
5. Take practice exams: Candidates should take full-length practice exams regularly to check progress and to familiarize themselves with the pattern and instructions for each section.

Read More : ACT English Test