The ACT exam is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It is designed to measure a student’s preparation for college-level coursework by testing their knowledge and skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science. The exam is administered multiple times a year and is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with the average score being around 20.
Taking the ACT exam can provide several benefits for students, such as improving their chances of college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and career prospects. This article will provide an overview of the ACT exam, its benefits, syllabus, and structure, how to calculate ACT scores, requirements, registration process, exam fee, scholarships, and tips to prepare for the exam.
ACT Exam Overview
Here’s an overview of the ACT exam:
| Name of the examination | ACT |
| ACT sections | English, Mathematics, Science and Reading, Writing (optional). |
| The average and maximum score | 21-36 |
| ACT duration | 2 hours 55 minutes (40 minutes more if writing is included) |
| Number of attempts | USA: 7 times a year |
What are the ACT exam benefits?
Taking the ACT exam can provide several benefits for students, such as:
Improved chances of college admissions
Many colleges and universities require ACT scores as part of their admissions process. A high score can increase a student’s chances of being accepted into the college of their choice.
Scholarship opportunities
Some colleges and private organizations offer scholarships based on ACT scores. A high score can qualify a student for a scholarship that can help cover the cost of tuition and other college expenses.
Career prospects
Some employers use ACT scores as part of their hiring process, particularly for jobs that require strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Self-assessment
The ACT exam can provide students with a measure of their academic strengths and weaknesses. This can help them identify areas where they need to improve and focus their efforts on improving their skills.
Preparation for college-level coursework
The ACT exam is designed to measure a student’s readiness for college-level coursework. Preparing for and taking the exam can help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college.
ACT Exam Syllabus and Structure?
The ACT exam consists of four mandatory sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science, and one optional writing section. The exam is three hours long without the writing section and three hours and 40 minutes with the writing section. Here’s a breakdown of the ACT exam syllabus and structure:
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
| English | 75 | 45 minutes |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Reading | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Science | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
ACT English Section
The English section of the ACT exam is designed to test a student’s grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure skills. The section consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 45 minutes. The questions are presented in the context of passages that test a student’s ability to revise and edit texts for clarity and effectiveness.
Here’s a breakdown of the English section of the ACT exam:
| Question type | Number of questions |
| Usage/Mechanics | 40 |
| Rhetorical Skills | 35 |
The Usage/Mechanics questions test a student’s knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. The questions may ask students to identify errors in sentences, choose the correct word or phrase to complete a sentence, or rewrite sentences to improve clarity and effectiveness.
The Rhetorical Skills questions test a student’s ability to revise and edit texts for clarity and effectiveness. The questions may ask students to identify the purpose or tone of a passage, choose the best way to organize paragraphs or sentences, or improve the style or tone of a passage.
The English section of the ACT exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the score is included in the composite score along with the other sections of the exam. A high score in the English section indicates that a student has strong grammar and writing skills, which can be beneficial in college and career settings.
ACT Math Section
The mathematics section of the ACT exam is designed to test a student’s knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and other math concepts. The section consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 60 minutes. The questions may be presented in the form of word problems or ask students to solve equations or use mathematical formulas. Here’s a breakdown of the math section of the ACT exam:
| Question type | Number of questions |
| Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra | 24-28 |
| Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry | 18-22 |
| Plane Geometry/Trigonometry | 14-18 |
The Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra questions may ask students to solve basic equations, work with integers, or use exponents and square roots.
The Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry questions may ask students to solve quadratic equations, work with matrices, or use coordinate geometry to solve problems.
The Plane Geometry/Trigonometry questions may ask students to calculate areas and volumes of geometric shapes, use trigonometric functions to solve problems or apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
The mathematics section of the ACT exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the score is included in the composite score along with the other sections of the exam. A high score in the math section indicates that a student has strong math skills, which can be beneficial in college and career settings.
ACT Reading Section
The reading section of the ACT exam is designed to test a student’s ability to comprehend and analyze various types of texts. The section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 35 minutes. The questions are presented in the context of passages from various subject areas, including fiction, social science, natural science, and humanities. Here’s a breakdown of the reading section of the ACT exam:
| Question type | Number of questions |
| Prose Fiction | 1 passage |
| Social Science | 1-2 passages |
| Humanities | 1-2 passages |
| Natural Science | 1-2 passages |
The questions in the reading section may ask students to identify the main idea of a passage, infer meaning from context, identify literary devices or rhetorical strategies used by an author, or compare different texts.
The reading section of the ACT exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the score is included in the composite score along with the other sections of the exam. A high score in the reading section indicates that a student has strong reading comprehension skills, which can be beneficial in college and career settings.
ACT Writing Section
The optional writing section of the ACT exam requires students to write an essay on a given prompt. The section has a time limit of 40 minutes, and the essay is scored on a scale of 2 to 12. The writing score is reported separately from the composite score, and some colleges and universities require the writing section, while others do not.
The essay prompt presents a complex issue and asks students to take a position on the issue and support their position with relevant examples and evidence. The essay is scored on four domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. A high score in the writing section indicates that a student has strong writing skills, which can be beneficial in college and career settings.
| Development and Support | How well the student supports their position with relevant examples, reasoning, and evidence |
| Organization | How well the student organizes their essay and uses transitions to connect their ideas |
| Language Use and Conventions | How well the student uses language and grammar to convey their ideas effectively and accurately |
Each domain is scored on a scale of 2 to 12, and the scores for each domain are averaged to calculate the final writing score, which is also reported on a scale of 2 to 12. The writing score is reported separately from the composite score and does not affect the composite score.
How to Calculate ACT Scores?
The ACT exam consists of four multiple-choice sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The scores from these sections are averaged to calculate the composite score, which is also reported on a scale of 1 to 36.
Additionally, there is an optional Writing section, which is scored on a separate scale of 2 to 12. The scores for each section are reported separately on the score report.
What are the Requirements for the ACT Exam?
To take the ACT exam, students must meet the following requirements:
- Must be in high school or have graduated from high school
- Must be at least 13 years of age
- Must have an acceptable form of identification
- Must have paid the exam fee or received a fee waiver
How to Register for ACT Exam?
Students can register for the ACT exam online through the official ACT website. During the registration process, they will need to provide personal information, choose a test date and location, and pay the exam fee. Students can also request special accommodation, such as extra testing time if needed.
ACT Exam Fee 2023
The ACT exam fee for 2023 is $70.00 for the standard exam (without the Writing section) and $95.00 for the exam with the Writing section. There are additional fees for late registration, changing the test date or location, and requesting additional score reports. However, fee waivers are available for students who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being from low-income families or being enrolled in the free or reduced-price lunch program.
Here is a table summarizing the ACT exam fees for 2023
| Exam Type | Exam Fee |
| Standard Exam (no Writing) | $70.00 |
| Exam with Writing | $95.00 |
| Late Registration Fee | $35.00 |
| Test Date or Location Change Fee | $35.00 |
| Additional Score Report Fee | $13.00 per report |
What are ACT Scholarships?
ACT offers several scholarships for students based on their ACT scores. These scholarships are awarded by various colleges and universities and are based on the student’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and other factors in addition to their ACT score. Some examples of ACT scholarships are:
- ACT College and Career Readiness Champions Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and readiness for college and career through their ACT scores and other achievements.
- ACT State Organization Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students who are members of their state’s ACT organization and have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
- ACT National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to Hispanic/Latino students who score in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT and have a minimum ACT score.
Here is a table summarizing some of the ACT scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
| ACT College and Career Readiness Champions Scholarship | Minimum ACT score of 22, US Citizen or Resident, Demonstrated academic achievement | $500 |
| ACT State Organization Scholarship | Member of state ACT organization, Demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community service | Varies |
| ACT National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship | Hispanic/Latino student, Top 2.5% on PSAT/NMSQT, Minimum ACT score | Varies |
Tips to Prepare for ACT Exam
- Familiarize yourself with the test format and content.
- Take practice tests to get a sense of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Develop a study plan and stick to it.
- Use study materials such as study guides, flashcards, and online resources.
- Focus on improving your time management skills.
- Seek help from a tutor or teacher if needed.
- Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude.
FAQs – ACT Exam 2023
How many times can I take the ACT?
You can take the ACT up to 12 times, but it is generally recommended to take it no more than three times. Most colleges will only look at your highest score, so there is no penalty for taking the test multiple times. However, taking the test too many times can be stressful and may not result in significant score improvements.
Can I use a calculator in the ACT Math section?
Yes, a calculator is allowed in the ACT Math section. However, there are restrictions on the types of calculators that are allowed, and some questions may require you to solve them without a calculator.
When should I take the ACT?
Most students take the ACT during their junior or senior year of high school. It is recommended to take the test at least once in your junior year and then again in your senior year if you want to improve your score.
How long does it take to get ACT scores back?
You can expect to receive your ACT scores within 2-8 weeks (about 2 months) after taking the test. The exact timing can depend on the test date and when you took the test compared to the score release dates. You can view the score release dates on the ACT website.