The American College Testing– ACT score is a part of the college applications in the United States of America (USA), depending on the institution students apply to. There are no fixed passing marks for this examination. However, a good ACT score strengthens the college application and elevates the chances of getting admitted into the institutions students aim for.
The exam is conducted by the mission-driven, not-for-profit organization under the same name– ACT. It is a curriculum-based, standardized test that evaluates the candidates' mathematical, written, scientific, and verbal skills.
There are four main sections of the ACT exam: Maths, English, Reading, and Science. The final or composite ACT score will be an average of these four section scores. Candidates can also appear for the ACT's optional writing test, which doesn't impact the composite score.
ACT Average Score
Here is the ACT score chart below highlighting the average numbers– ACT total score/ composite score for the students who appeared for the exam in 2021:
ACT average score - 2021
Number of test-takers
1,295,349
English
19.6
Math
19.9
Reading
20.9
Science
20.4
Composite
20.3
ACT Exam Sections and Scoring
As mentioned above, the ACT exam has four different sections– English, Math, Science, and Reading. But what is the highest score on the ACT? The four sections are marked out of 36 points each, with 1 as the lowest and 36 being the upper limit. Furthermore, the section-wise questions numbers and reporting categories in the ACT exam are as follows:
English
Questions: 75
Reporting categories: Production of Writing (29-32%), knowledge of the language (13-19%), and conventions of standard English (51-56%)
Mathematics
Questions: 60
Reporting categories: Preparing for higher math (57-60%) and integrating essential skills (40-43%)
Reading
Questions: 40
Reporting categories: Key ideas and details (55-60%), craft and structure (25-30%), and integration of knowledge and ideas (13-18%)
Science
Questions: 40
Reporting categories: Scientific investigation (20-30%), Data interpretation (45-55%), and evaluation of inferences, models, and experimental results (25-35%)
Scoring of the writing test
The scoring process of the writing section is more complicated. Anyone who takes up the ACT plus writing exam, including the essay that needs to be written, will be re-evaluated by two different readers.
These two readers will score the essay on a scale of 1 to 6 based on four areas where cogency holds the most significant importance. Candidates will be assessed on the skill to stitch lines of reasoning together into a coherent and compelling essay.
Additionally, it is to be noted that the evaluators are not looking for an excellently written specimen but a well-put-up first draft.
The syllabus of the ACT focuses on four sections. We will be discussing each section and the syllabus under the same.
English
The English section consists of five passages with 75 multiple-choice questions. The questions are mainly detail-based/big-picture-based, concerning the entire passage or a particular passage.
The evaluators are testing two essential skills of the students through the English section– Usage and Mechanics skills along with the Rhetorical skills.
Usage and Mechanics will access you according to your grammar rules– punctuation and sentence structure. On the other hand, Rhetorical skills are connected to the comprehension of a passage or the abstract understanding of the same.
Mathematics
The mathematics section consists of the below-mentioned topics:
Pre-algebra
Elementary algebra
Intermediate algebra
Coordinate geometry
Plane geometry
Trigonometry
Reading
The reading section will have four different passages, amounting to 40 multiple-choice questions. These passages will represent four major areas: Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, and Literary Fiction.
Science
The science section deals with the topics in conjunction with Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Biology. You will have seven passages in this section with 40 multiple-choice questions.
These passages will be presented with varied diagrams like charts, tables, and graphs. You will not be accessed based on learning the scientific facts and figures. Instead, the application and reasoning will be questioned.
Furthermore, data representation questions in the ACT exam will check your ability to understand scatter plots, tables, or graphs clubbed with your usage of the presented information.
Additionally, in these questions, research summaries will access your understanding in the design of experiments and associated results, as told in the passage. Similarly, conflicting viewpoints test your ability to reason different opinions.
ACT Score Range
The ACT score range (both composite score and every test score– English, Reading, Math, and Science) will range from 1 (ACT lowest score) to 36 (ACT highest score). The fractions below one-half will be rounded down, whereas the one-half or more fractions are rounded up.
Universities accepting top scores for ACT
We have listed the top 20 American universities and their average score requirement for the ACT exam for your reference:
University
Average Composite ACT Score
Princeton University
33-35
Harvard University
33-35
Columbia University
33-35
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
34-36
Yale University
33-35
Stanford University
32-35
University of Chicago
33-35
University of Pennsylvania
33-35
California Institute of Technology
35-36
Johns Hopkins University
33-35
Northwestern University
33-35
Duke University
33-35
Dartmouth College
32-35
Brown University
33-35
Vanderbilt University
33-35
Rice University
33-35
Washington University
27-33
Cornell University
32-35
University of Notre Dame
32-35
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Disclaimer - ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT, Inc. ACT, Inc. is not involved with or affiliated with upgradabroad.com, nor does ACT, Inc. endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by upgradabroad.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACT?
American College Testing (ACT) is a standardized test used for admission in most colleges and universities in the USA. The ACT is administered by ACT, a non-profit organization of the same name. There are four main sections of the ACT exam: Maths, English, Reading, and Science.
What is an ACT score?
The final or composite ACT score will be an average of these four section scores. Candidates can also appear for the ACT's optional writing test, which doesn't impact the composite score.
What is a good ACT score?
The ACT exam has four sections– English, Math, Science, and Reading. The four sections are marked out of 36 points each, with 1 as the lowest and 36 being the upper limit. Scoring a high ACT score increases a candidate's chance of getting into selective colleges. Generally, a good ACT score is anything above 24.
What are the sections of ACT?
The ACT exam has four sections– English, Math, Science, and Reading. The four sections are marked out of 36 points each, with 1 as the lowest and 36 being the upper limit.
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raduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the biggest and most popular global tests held by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is a standardized examination for entry into courses like MBA, MS, and others at universities worldwide.
Booking GRE exam dates 2023 is a simple procedure. You can register by paying US$213 (approx. INR 15,700) and providing your valid passport copy or relevant ID.
The GRE exam fee in India is around $213 with effect from 1st July 2023. The examination fee in many other countries is $205 while the GRE exam fee for India is the same as countries like Turkey, Australia, China, and Nigeria. The fee for the GRE Subject
GRE is an admission prerequisite at most universities in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Singapore. You should have a detailed understanding of the GRE syllabus and its exam pattern before you commit your time.
The organizing body has set no official eligibility requirements in terms of academic qualification. There is no minimum or maximum academic qualification or degree requirement for test-takers.
Wondering how to register for the GMAT exam? You should know that GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a leading management entrance test that is held throughout the year and aspirants have ample flexibility with regard to taking the examination.
The GMAT exam score is calculated basis a fixed scale and is visible on the GMAT Score Report. Students need to understand the details of their score reports.
The GMAT exam fee in India is US$275, which is approximately ₹21,000. To avoid multiple attempts, it is strongly advised that students prepare thoroughly for the test.
Doing an MBA without GMAT in Canada is possible at some institutions. While most universities look for GRE or GMAT scores, some have different requirements.
Thinking of pursuing an MBA in UK without GMAT? Well, it is possible. The United Kingdom (UK) offers several Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, including full-time MBA courses and executive MBA programs.
The Duolingo English test does not require any academic transcripts or certificates for qualification. Anyone willing to assess his/her English language proficiency can take the test from any part of the world.
The Duolingo English test pattern is planned and designed using Data Forensics and Artificial Intelligence technology to maintain the clarity of the test.
Like any certificate, once you receive your result for the Duolingo English Test, validity is for 2 years. The only caveat is that you must retake the exam within this time frame to verify that your English language skills have progressed.
Major UK universities are also opening up to the idea of Duolingo test results to analyze the candidate’s English proficiency. With the rising number of Duolingo accepted universities in UK for 2022, you will find some great options.
Indeed, we have established all the right reasons one should opt for a Duolingo test, but the main question remains unanswered! What are the universities that accept the Duolingo test in Australia?
Aspirants can find out the Duolingo accepted universities in Canada from the list provided below. If students want to enroll in any of the universities in Canada, taking the Duolingo test will be an added advantage.
Duolingo English test registration is a hassle-free procedure. To register for the exam, one needs to click on the 'Take The Test' and fill in all the necessary information.
There is no defined Duolingo English test syllabus as the test assesses you on your existing knowledge of the language. A language fluency test requires your aggregate reading, writing, and grammar skills.
As per the official website, you receive the test results within two days after the exam. So, the Duolingo English test results do not keep you waiting for long.
TOEFL exam registration should be done four months prior to the examination date, as walk-in registrations are not allowed. Photo ID proofs like passports are compulsory while registering.
The TOEFL exam syllabus is divided into four sections–writing, speaking, reading, and listening. Students are required to solve integrated tasks that test various English language skills.
TOEFL exam measures the English language proficiency of individuals willing to study abroad, therefore, there is no specific eligibility criterion that ETS has set for the exam.
It is vital that candidates get an idea of the examination pattern and the entire syllabus in advance. This will help them plan out their study and practice schedules better, enabling the achievement of their coveted TOEFL scores.
The fee for the TOEFL exam in India is slightly higher in comparison to other entrance tests, it is recommended that the aspirants take the test only once or twice.
The TOEFL minimum score is 0 while the TOEFL maximum score is 120. A good average TOEFL score is usually around 78-79 for admissions into leading global universities.
However, international students must prove their English fluency before applying to Canadian schools. One of the globally accepted language proficiency examinations is TOEFL. This article will tell you more about TOEFL accepting universities in Canada.
Mrinal Mandal is a study abroad expert with a passion for guiding students towards their international education goals. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, earned in 2018. Since 2021, Mrinal has been working with upGrad Abroad, where he assists aspiring students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad. With his expertise and dedication, he empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of international education, making their aspirations a reality.