ACTs, Still the Most Popular Test Around

The ACTs, a college admissions exam is not connected in any way to the SAT exam, or to the College Board.

Among the differences:

shorter

knowledge based as compared to the strategy and logic structure of the SAT

requires a thirty-minute essay (25 on the SAT)

Consists of four tests, math, English, reading, and Science.

Is there a pre-test similar to the SAT PSAT?

Yes, it is called the PLAN ASSESSMENT and it is administered by the schools, usually to tenth grade students to prepare them for this test in grades 11 or 12. The PLAN Assessment Test

How Do I get my scores?

The ACT allows you to control which schools see your scores.

If you leave the high school code box blank on the registration form,
and do not fill in the college and scholarship blanks,
when you sign up for the test, ACT will send
the scores ONLY to you.
When you do decide where to have your scores sent,
ACT will send ONLY the scores you specify.
Colleges ONLY see the scores you want them to
see no matter how many times you
take the test.
The exception to this can be if you are
using your ACT scores to establish your
eligibility to play Division I or Division II sports
in college. In that case, you may be asked to send the
scores from any test sittings.

What's on the Test?

The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas:
English, mathematics, reading, and science,
and an optional essay. Elect to write the essay
you'll be viewed more positively.

The English portion of the test is 45 minutes long,
with 75 questions. The test measures written
English and rhetorical skills, as well as grammar
and punctuation.

The Mathematics test is 60 minutes long with
60 questions:

Pre-Algebra
Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Coordinate Geometry
Plane Geometry
Trig

Reading Section - 35 minutes with 40 questions

Humanities
Nature and Science
Prose fiction
Social science

The Science Section: 35 minutes long, 40 questions

Graphs amd Charts
Three experiments and six questions for each
A passage containing a scientific debate/different
viewpoint between two scientists, with questions

The Writing Test, which is optional, measures
skill in essay option.

Scores on the Exam

The main scoring results of the ACT consists of
grades for each section of 0 - 36.

Each of these sections are averages to create a
composite score of between 0 - 36.

The composite score of 36 is equal to 2400 on the SAT I.

You also receive subscores in English, Math, and
Reading that range from 0 - 18. These scores are
only used by you if you wish to assess your weaknesses
and retake the test.

To download a sample exam, click here.

Check the test dates for 2006-2007 ACTs

How to prepare/study for the test,

Learn More and sign up for the test

Write a winning five-paragraph essay in 30 minutes

Learn about the ACT, the SATs, and compare the two exams

Gather Your Essential Test-Taking-Stuff the Night Before the Test

Picture ID

Ticket

Calculator

3- #2 lead pencils

Watch

Sweater or jacket

Bottled water

Snacks for breaks