What is the ACT?
The ACT Assessment® is designed to assess high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. ACT measures academic achievement across four skill areas, English, mathematics, reading and science.
ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities.
The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes.
What is a good score?
The scale scores range from 1 (low) to 36 (high) for each of the four tests and for the Composite. The Composite is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Above 18 would be considered above average – below 18 would be considered below average. However, because of the increasing competition for admission, particularly at elite schools, the minimum ACT score requirements are often considerably above the median. Part of the research that should be pursued by a student and his or her family is to determine the standards at the colleges they are interested in attending. This information can often be found in the schools’ catalog. High school guidance offices are also a valuable resource for score interpretation.
Should I report my ACT scores to colleges?
No, unless you are in a rush to receive acceptance to a college. Unlike the SAT, the ACT will only release the record from the test date you suggestion. Naturally, many students prefer to see their test results before they are sent to the college admission staff. This is a perfectly reasonable preference and students are free to exercise this option. However, if you have taken the ACT more than once, we maintain a separate record for each test date. If the student takes the ACT on multiple occasions, only the test scores are recommended by the student will be forwarded to the school in which the student is applying.
When Should I prepare for the ACT?
Preparation for college admission should begin in the eighth grade. Because the ACT more closely measures academic attainment, there is no substitute for a quality education. However, there are successful strategies that can be employed to maximize every student’s potential. Community Fitness & Education is introducing an ACT preparation course to meet the needs of students taking this critical exam.
What distinguishes the ACT from the SAT?
This is a very difficult question to answer. Historic data series suggest a strong association between high ACT or SAT scores and success in post-secondary studies. Both exams have the same purpose, to project the ability of individual high school students to succeed in college. However, the methods employed by the respective exam authors differ considerably. From their own literature, the ACT measures academic achievement across four skill areas, English, mathematics, reading and science. SAT describes itself as a reasoning exam across two skill areas, Math and Verbal.