What is the ACT?
The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in:
| English | Mathematics | Reading | Science |
The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests and a 30-minute Writing Test.
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 (or just over four hours if you are taking the Writing Test). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the Writing Test).
The ACT is administered on five test dates—in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states, the ACT is also offered in September.
The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices for which a valid code is listed at time of registration.
The ACT tests are prepared according to the:
- Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education (1985).
- Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement, National Council on Measurement in Education (1995).
- Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education, Joint Committee on Testing Practices (1988).