Priya GargStudy Abroad Expert
Administered by ACT Inc., ACT is a standardised test required by international students looking for admission to undergraduate schools based majorly in the US and Canada. The full form of the ACT exam is "American College Testing" and it is an MCQ-based online exam that has been developed to evaluate the written, mathematical, verbal and scientific skills of the candidates. There is an optional writing section as well which is offered during ACT registration. Students can opt for the writing section on ACT with an extra fee during registration. The ACT exam is accepted by all the 4-year universities in the USA and more than 200 universities outside of USA.Â
Q: Â Is ACT easier than SAT?
There is no such comparison that can be drawn between ACT or SAT difficulty levels. While ACT focuses more on Maths section plus Reading and Writing with an analytical bend, SAT on the other hand is more about understanding and then answering the questions of Math & Reading + Writing. The difficulty of the exams depends upon the applicant's preparation and what choice they make between ACT or SAT. It is all about the applicant's knowledge and how he/she perceives the test they wish to take.
Q: Â Is there an additional fee for ACT exam centre in India?
No, there is no additional fee for choosing an ACT exam centre in India. The fee is charged holistically from applicants when they are finally submitting their ACT exam forms. However, a "Change Fee" of $44.00 will be charged if you request for a change in your chosen ACT test date and/or centre.
Thus, students must exercise caution while applying for ACT exam and choosing the ACT exam centre and ofcourse the date. Plus, make sure that you apply through the official website by logging in to the MyACT account only and not pay any extra amounts unecessarily. There are no additional exam centre costs, all costs are included within the overall ACT exam fee only.
Q: Â What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
Q: Â What is the full form of ACT test?
ACT stands for American College Testing. It's a standardized test commonly used for college admissions in the United States.
Q: Â What is ACT exam all about?
ACT exam or American College Testing is an exam that international students give if applying for undergraduate admissions to universities abroad. This exam tests applicants based on their previous knowledge of high school in subjects of Maths, English + Reading and Science. The ACT syllabus is more or less similar to high school knowledge and tests a certain level of understanding, analysis and analytical skills of the applicants. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 - 36 based on sectional performance and then coming down to a total overall score of ACT.
Q: Â What is the duration of the ACT?
The ACT exam is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. If you add the optional writing section then add 30 minutes more. Then the total duration of ACT is 3 hours and 25 minutes after adding the writing section. Since the ACT exam is on paper, applicants will not be given any extra time to complete the test, hence, applicants should ensure that they complete their test in due time. This is possible only when the students have ample practice on the sample papers of ACT exam.
ACT 2024 Exam Highlights
Exam Name | ACT |
Official Website | https://www.act.org |
Duration of Exam | 2 hours and 55 minutes |
Popularly Given for | Undergraduate admissions in US & Canada |
Administered by | ACT, Incorporated |
Mode of Examination | Online |
ACT Fee for Indians |
Full ACT exam with no Writing: $186.50 = ₹15,603.51 (approx)* Full ACT exam with Writing: $211.50 + $25.00 = ₹17,695.14 + ₹2091.62 (approx)* (the writing option may be added or removed via the late deadline in the MyACT account) *The $ to INR conversion are calculated as per the exchange rate on July 22, 2024. Also, the tests at the above-mentioned fees will provide reports for you and up to 4 colleges, if their codes are provided during registration. |
Scoring |
Range of 1 - 36 |
ACT Contact Info |
Phone:Â 319-337-1270
|
Q: Â How to strategise to prepare for ACT exam in a month?
If the applicant has chosen to appear for ACT exam, then he/she needs to first devise their strategy of preparation. ACT preparation may seem difficult for some while the others may be easy for others. Applicants need to first check how much are they prepared to give the exam. In case the applicants have some confidence in any one or maybe two sections of the ACT, they can easily prepare for the third section of ACT and prepare easily in a month's time.
This should be the ideal strategy of ACT exam preparation if aiming for a month:
- Attempt mocks and check how much preparation you need and then identify the green and red areas.
- Identify the topics or areas which need maximum help in terms of prep.
- After the applicants have identified the areas that need maximum preparation, they should devote time to it and work on it.
- Keep revising the strong sections or topics at regular time period or on alternate days so that they keep in touch.
- Finally, attempt mocks so that they help the applicant in understanding their progress overall, plus they are able to target those areas of lapse also.
Following these tips, applicants can prepare for ACT exam in a month's time.
Q: Â What is the ACT exam used for?
The ACT exam is primarily used for college admissions in the United States. It measures a student's readiness for college-level work in four core areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Many colleges and universities use ACT scores as part of their admissions process to evaluate applicants.
Q: Â Can I appear for more than one ACT test date in a month?
Yes, prospective students are eligible to apply for as many ACT exam dates as they wish to. Be it both dates in a month or other future dates. However, the ACT exam registration will have to be done separately for both dates of a month, they cannot be registered through the same email ID. Students must also note that sometimes, the ACT dates may vary and two dates may not be available in a month, hence they can check for the next possible dates on the official website.
As a best practice, it is always better to appear for one exam date first and if the need arises, applicants can register for the ACT once again if they are dissatisfied with their current scores.
Although one can take the ACT test 12 times, students usually take the exam 2-3 times. Candidates retake the exam to improve their scores. For the next ACT exam, one needs to check for ACT exam dates and also if the applicant has enough time to sit for ACT once more and then apply to various colleges and universities.
Q: Â How late can we make changes to the ACT test date?
One can make changes to the test date no later than the late registration deadline. Even if making changes during the last minute or during late registration deadline students must ensure to correctly choose the ACT exam date and the centre too. Because once the choice is made there will be no changes allowed and the next option will b apply again for another date in future. Applicants can change or cancel a given ACT exam date for which registrations have already happened, provided it is within the late registration timeframe. In case it falls out of the late registration timeframe of ACT exam dates, then applicants may be levied an additional charge also.
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ACT Full Form
ACT full form is American College Testing. This test assesses the readiness of high school applicants to attend colleges abroad. The test assesses students based on the following subjects - previous knowledge in Maths, Science and English. A majority of US universities accept ACT scores from international students for admission purposes. Applicants must check if universities are test-optional or not, in case they are the applicants may not mandatorily submit ACT scores unless they really wish to.Â
Q: Â When is the ACT exam conducted?
ACT exam is conducted throughout the year in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. ACT is conducted once every month, hence, those who are planning to appear for ACT again will have to plan their dates and university applications accordingly. The ACT exam dates usually do not change once announced, hence caution must be exercised when opting for ACT exam dates, centre and while making the final payment too.
Q: Â What all is there in the ACT score report?
The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.
Q: Â What all can I do with "My ACT" account?
With your ACT account, applicants can:
- Register for ACT,
- View their ACT scores,
- Send additional score reports to colleges or universities they are applying to, and
- Register for the next test if at all required.
ACT 2024 Eligibility
Since the ACT test is primarily for high school students, there are no particular eligibility criteria to appear for the ACT. People of all ages and grade levels are eligible to take the ACT.
Q: Â Who is eligible to apply for ACT exam?
There is no specific age restriction or the level of grades required to register for ACT exam. Applicants who are willing to apply to foreign universities and are required to submit ACT scores can register for the exam first and then appear for it at the chosen date and centre. There is no bar in terms of the number of times an applicant wishes to appear for ACT exam as well. Thus, applicants can ideally apply and sit for ACT before applying to universities abroad.
Q: Â Can I appear for more than one ACT test date in a month?
Yes, prospective students are eligible to apply for as many ACT exam dates as they wish to. Be it both dates in a month or other future dates. However, the ACT exam registration will have to be done separately for both dates of a month, they cannot be registered through the same email ID. Students must also note that sometimes, the ACT dates may vary and two dates may not be available in a month, hence they can check for the next possible dates on the official website.
As a best practice, it is always better to appear for one exam date first and if the need arises, applicants can register for the ACT once again if they are dissatisfied with their current scores.
Although one can take the ACT test 12 times, students usually take the exam 2-3 times. Candidates retake the exam to improve their scores. For the next ACT exam, one needs to check for ACT exam dates and also if the applicant has enough time to sit for ACT once more and then apply to various colleges and universities.
Q: Â Are ACT dates different for late registration and final deadline?
There is a deadline for each ACT exam date where no extra fee is charged for registration. But those who still haven't made up their minds and still wish to appear for an ACT exam date whose late registrations are open, are free to still register but with a late fee charge. Thus, there are two deadlines one is actual deadline when students can register for the ACT exam date and the next is the late registration when an additional fee is charged for the same ACT exam date's registration.
ACT Exam 2024 Dates
The ACT is conducted only a few times a year between September to July. You do not have the luxury of selecting an exam date suitable for your convenience, which is the case with other exams. You need to plan your exam prep according to these test dates. These exams are scheduled to suit your application deadlines for the fall semester. Following are the ACT exam dates for international students in 2024-25 that are scheduled to be conducted:
ACT Exam Test Dates in 2024-25 for Indian Students | ||
---|---|---|
ACT Testing Dates 2024 |
Registration Deadlines |
Registration Deadlines with Lates Fee |
25 & 26 October 2024 |
27 September 2024 |
11 October 2024 |
13 & 14 December 2024 |
15 November 2024 |
29 November 2024 |
7 & 8 February 2025 |
10 January 2025 |
24 January 2025 |
4 & 5 April 2025 |
7 March 2025 |
21 March 2025 |
13 & 14 June 2025 |
16 May 2025 |
30 May 2025 |
11 & 12 July 2025 |
13 June 2025 |
27 June 2025 |
Check out the important ACT Test Dates for Indian students for more details along with late registration details.
Points to remember:
- Ideally, you are recommended to register for the exam two to three months before you choose a date for exam appearance.
- It is safer to stick to early registration as you will have a set schedule to prepare for the exam accordingly.
- If you are considering of taking coaching for exam preparation, the coaching institutes would also recommend you register at the earliest so that you have a wide window of time to prepare.
Q: Â When is the ACT exam conducted?
ACT exam is conducted throughout the year in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. ACT is conducted once every month, hence, those who are planning to appear for ACT again will have to plan their dates and university applications accordingly. The ACT exam dates usually do not change once announced, hence caution must be exercised when opting for ACT exam dates, centre and while making the final payment too.
Q: Â Can I interchange my ACT exam dates with another future date?
Yes, there is an option to interchange an ACT exam date chosen with a future exam date. Students will have to pay an additional amount for interchanging or changing ACT exam date. It is always better to choose one ACT exam date and stick to it and avoid cancelling or changing the exam date as it requires a fee for every request. Thus, register for ACT in one go with final dates in mind.
Thus, those who are willing to pay will have to submit an additional fee for ACT date shifting request and apply or register in accordance with new instructions and details. It is always advised that applicants check the ACT exam dates prior to their registrations to avoid last-minute confusions and alterations.
Q: Â When should an applicant take the ACT?
A. Analyse the time you will take to prepare for the ACT and when you are planning to apply to colleges. Make sure you have the ACT score with you at the time of filling the application. Also, prepare to take ACT based on your preparation, see how much you'd take to complete the ACT syllabus plus reserve some time for taking mock tests as well. Once all these pointers are checked, you can choose your ACT exam date and register for it as soon as you make up your mind.
Also, for those who would need more time for preparation must first check the university deadlines and then apply for ACT exam based on the timeline of preparation. ACT exam dates are usually released beforehand, thus, applicants must check them as soon as they are released.
ACT Registration 2024
International students must register for ACT online only through the official website. The ACT application requires student's personal informationÂ
Register Online for ACT
The ACT registrations are online and students are required to fill out the online application form with the following instructions and details:
- If you plan to test at the designated Indian test centres, sign up online by creating an ACT Web account.
- Choose a test date and a test centre to appear for the ACT.
- Create a student profile and complete the application request, submit the required documentation.
- You will receive an immediate registration confirmation
- Pay the ACT exam fee through a credit/debit card or online funds transfer.
- Registration deadlines are typically about three to four weeks before a test date.
- Deadlines for late registration are typically about two to three weeks before the test date, and registering late will incur a late fee.
ACT Exam Fee for Non-US Students 2024
All the ACT exam fees are non-refundable, therefore, students are advised to take the ACT test when they are Â
ACT Exam Fee Type |
Description |
Cost |
---|---|---|
Registration Fee without Writing |
The basic fee for the ACT test |
$186.50 |
Registration Fee with Writing |
This includes the basic ACT exam fee to be taken along with the writing section |
$211.50 |
Late Registration Fee |
Charged if you register/change the exam date after the deadline but before the final late registration |
$38 |
Change Fee |
Charged if you change the test date, test center, or test type |
$44 |
For Score Reports to 5th and 6th Colleges/Unievrsities |
Requests to be made online before the chosen ACT test. |
$19 |
Request for Additional Reports |
Additional reports can be requested for online after the registration. |
$19 |
ACT Admit Card 2024
Candidates can download and print the admit card from the official website. The candidate must produce the admit card while appearing for the exam. When you receive your admission ticket, check it carefully to make sure your identifying information, address, and score recipients are correct.
Q: Â What is the registration fee for the ACT?
International candidates need to pay USD 186.50 (without the Writing test) as an ACT registration fee and USD 186.50 + USD 25 (with the Writing test). Thus, overall ACT registration without writing exam will cost around INR 15,603.51 approximately. While those applying for ACT exam with the writing component will have to pay INR 15,603.51 + INR 2,091.62 which is almost INR 17,695.14; note these USD to INR conversions ared one as per the exchange rate on July 22, 2024. But before registering for ACT exam, applicants must check if the fee has been updated or not.
Q: Â What all is required at the time of online ACT registration?
As Indian students (or international students), candidates need to have their high school scores if available and if not they can enter their predicted scores, a valid photo ID, one recent photograph, and a credit card. The registration of ACT exam also requires applicant's high school educational background along with interests of the applicants. The ACT registration also includes students including the colleges and universities they wish to send their scores across to as well. Hence, its quite a lengthy process which requires a lot of attention so that all information provided is correct.
Applicants must be accurate with the details they enter so that they do not need to come back and make amends in the ACT exam application. The ACT registrations do not require a lot of documentation but just predicted scores to understand the applicant's progress academically so far.
Q: Â How to make changes to ACT registration?
Candidates can make changes to registration through their MyACT account. Candidates are allowed to make the following changes:
- Add or remove the writing test
- Changes to test date or test location
- Any updation to personal information
- Any changes to selected colleges
If these changes are made after the registration deadlines, then the applicant may have to bear an extra fee also. Thus, applicants must ensure that they fill their applications with the right set of information in one go as far as possible.
ACT Exam 2024 Test Centres
The ACT exam is conducted at the test centres in the following cities. Please note that these cities have multiple test centres: Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Dehradun, Fatehpur, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kodaikanal, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Mussoorie, New Delhi, Noida, Pune, and Vadodara.
Q: Â What if a far away ACT exam centre is available?
In case a very far off ACT exam centre is available and the applicant doesn't have another nearby option, he or she will have to choose that far away centre only. The next best solution to find a nearby ACT exam centre is to change the date of exam and check for the nearby exam centre's seat availability. In case seats are available at the nearby centre with a mere change of date, then applicants can switch over. But if there's not much time in hand and scores cannot be delayed to be sent across to the universities then the current preference should be given to the far off ACT exam centre. So choose wisely.
Q: Â Are ACT exam timings same at all centres?
Yes, the ACT exam centres follow the same exam timings as proposed. For the morning shift test-takers need to be seated at 8:00 AM and for the afternoon shift, test-takers should be present at 1:30 PM. A short break is thereafter the first two tests. Test takers giving the ACT with writing get a brief break before the writing test. Thus, applicants should reach the ACT exam centre well within time with whatever is required to give the exam without any last minute hassles.
Q: Â What all things are allowed at the ACT exam centre?
The following things that an applicant is permitted to take at the ACT test centre are as follows:
- A valid photo ID
- A calculator (read the ACT Calculator policy for selecting the right calculator)
- As it is a lengthy test it is advised to carry some water and snacks with you (you can consume them only during the break)
- Pen or pencil
- Any electronic gadget
- Food or beverages including water
Q: Â What all things are not allowed at the ACT exam centre?
The following items are not allowed at the ACT exam centre:
- Any snacks, drinks, or reading materials in the test room are not permitted while sitting for the ACT exam.
- Chits or any cheating material.
- Gadgets besides calculators.
- Any sharp material and metal materials.
- Also books are also equally prohibited to carry at ACT exam centre.
Applicants not abiding by the rules may be penalised and may also be barred from appearing for the ACT exam at the designated exam centre.
ACT Exam Pattern 2024
ACT exam pattern is as follows- four sections, namely, English, Math, Reading, and Science. There is an optional section which is called the Writing section, which has one 30-40 minute writing prompt that will define an issue, along with two points of view on that issue. Students are not scored on this section.
ACT Pattern
Here is the ACT paper pattern for prospective students thinking of applying for an ACT for admissions abroad:
ACT Subjects |
Test Duration |
Sub-sections |
Total Questions |
---|---|---|---|
English |
45 minutes |
Usage/Mechanics
Rhetorical Skills
|
75 Questions |
Math |
60 minutes |
|
60 multiple-choice questions |
Reading |
35 minutes |
Four passages are given, each passage from different sections like social studies, natural science, fiction, and humanities |
40 questions |
Science |
35 minutes |
|
40 questions |
Optional writing test |
40 minutes |
One writing prompt |
 |
Total |
3 hours and 35 minutes (excluding breaks) |
4 sections (one optional) |
215 question |
Q: Â What is a good ACT composite score?
There is no specific answer to this, usually, tier 1 universities prefer candidates with ACT composite scores of 30 or more. Since a lot of universities have become test-optional the may not require applicants to submit an ACT score at all. But there are applicants who would still submit an ACT score to prove their academic knowledge and analytical side too. Thus, there is no answer to the question as to what is a good ACT composite score, it all ultimately depends upon how th student wants to portray it.
Q: Â How late can we make changes to the ACT test date?
One can make changes to the test date no later than the late registration deadline. Even if making changes during the last minute or during late registration deadline students must ensure to correctly choose the ACT exam date and the centre too. Because once the choice is made there will be no changes allowed and the next option will b apply again for another date in future. Applicants can change or cancel a given ACT exam date for which registrations have already happened, provided it is within the late registration timeframe. In case it falls out of the late registration timeframe of ACT exam dates, then applicants may be levied an additional charge also.
Q: Â What all is there in the ACT score report?
The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.
Scoring in ACT 2024
Each section of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is scored on a 1 to 36-point scale. The composite score is the average of all four tests. Students taking the optional writing test will receive a writing score for that section ranging from 1 to 36. The writing score does not affect the composite score.
Here are the average ACT scores by sections -
ACT Exam Sections |
Average ACT Scores |
---|---|
English |
20.3 |
Math |
20.9 |
Reading |
21.3 |
Science |
20.8 |
Composite |
21.0 |
ACT Score Validity – The ACT total scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested.
Also, Read
Q: Â What is a perfect ACT score?
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, with 1 being the lowest and 36 being a perfect score. No university or college demands a perfect ACT composite score of 36, thus, students should aim for a score of 30+ and score slightly above the minimum ACT score requirements. Hence, its good to aim for the perfect ACT score but not aimlessly targetting for 36 will be a more sensible approach.
Q: Â How is the ACT scored?
Each of the ACT sections whether Reading, Math, English, and Science are scored on a range of 1-36. You get an overall ACT score depending on the number of correct answers you gave. The average ACT score of four sections, also known as the composite score, is the final score. This means that the scores of all the sections are added together and divided by four to get the composite score.
There is no negative marking for incorrect answers plus unattempted questions. Based on the above explanation of how scoring on ACT is done, the results are compiled.
The following table shows how the ACT band score is calculated based on section wise performance of the applicant in ACT exam:
ACT Score Calculation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
ACT Scale Score | English Raw Score | Math Raw Score | Reading Raw Score | Science Raw Score |
36 | 75 | 59—60 | 40 | 40 |
35 | 73–74 | 57–58 | 39 | 39 |
34 | 71–72 | 55–56 | 38 | 38 |
33 | 70 | 54 | — | 37 |
32 | 69 | 53 | 37 | — |
Q: Â Can applicants get a new score from ACT if they incorrectly marked on a correct answer?
Yes, if the applicant feels that they have been marked incorrectly on a correctly answered question on the ACT exam, they can raise a request for score verification. For this they will have to fill up a pdf form and attach a cheque for ACT Customer Support. Once the form is submitted, the applicant's responses will be checked as per the correct score key and match the answers, in case of essay also, they would be evaluated by independent plus qualified readers to check if assessment was done correctly. In case the scores increase or even if they decrease the applicant would get a new score from ACT in both cases.
ACT 2024 Results
ACT test results are typically released within two to three weeks of the test administration and can be viewed online. If you took the ACT with writing, your writing scores will be posted online as soon as they are ready, which is normally two weeks after your general scores are out. Applicants can access their ACT exam scores and results on their MyACT account by logging in with their credentials. Applicants can also check if the ACT scores have reached the concerned colleges or not based on the timeline.Â
Q: Â When does college receive ACT scores?
If you have selected score report recipients at the time of registration then they will receive the ACT score report between 4-10 weeks. Applicants can check if their scores have been released online within three weeks from taking the test and in the fourth week check if the ACT score reports have been released to the recipients that were mentioned during ACT exam registration. Once the ACT scores are released to the recipients, the status would show delivered in the status.
Q: Â How soon ACT scores are available?
Students can view their composite and multiple-choice section scores online between two weeks to eight weeks. For writing section scores, it takes almost two more weeks since an expert has to read the essays and then mark based on the writing piece. The students who are applying to universities abroad are hence required to appear for ACT in such a manner that they receive the scores well in advance before submitting the scores to the university in their application forms.
Q: Â What are the delivery timelines for ACT score reports to recipients?
ACT score reports are sent to various recipients like the college or university the applicant is applying to. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a different time frame, the table below gives details of the types of ACT score reports and the time frame in which they are delivered:
Types of ACT score report | Where it's delivered? | When it's delivered? | What it reports? |
---|---|---|---|
Student report | Applicant's online ACT web account | 2–8 weeks after the test date | ACT scores, college and career planning information |
High school report | Applicant's high school via online reporting | ||
College report | Each valid college code applicant listed and paid for when they registered or tested (up to six) | Varies based on college and when ordered | Everything on the Student and High School Report, plus the grades reported in up to 30 high school courses; it may also include performance prediction. |
Q: Â When to retake the ACT test?
Do not retake the ACT just for the sake of it, go for a retest if you are convinced that your score will improve. If your score is less than the targeted score, in that case you can retake the ACT after more preparation. You can retake ACT when you have enough time in hand also to appear for another exam before applying to universities abroad and also have some extra preparation along with the previous knowledge is then sensible to appear for the ACT exam for the second attempt or beyond.
ACT 2024 Preparation Tips
There are two ways to prepare for the ACT: Self-Study and Coaching Classes. Both these options have unique benefits and none of the above can be considered better than the other. These two methods cannot be compared as they serve different audiences. The choice of method of study would depend upon the requirements and preferences of the exam takers.
Self-Study: If money is a consideration and one is quite confident of being able to prepare well without supervision, then self-study may be the better option to prepare for the ACT. You could save money on personal tuition and classes, but you need to keep in mind other factors too. To be able to study on your own effectively, you need a good resource of books and study material, along with motivation and self-discipline.
Coaching: If time is a constraint and you need professional guidance to ensure a competitive edge in exam preparation, then coaching classes are a better option. You will have access to a better resource of study material and will have a team of experts guiding you. Your time will be better managed as being regular in classes will become part of your routine. Moreover, being around other students preparing for the ACT will help you increase your motivation levels.
To choose the best method how to prepare for ACT you first need to look at your criteria and decide accordingly. If you are confused and want to check whether or not you are ready to prepare o your own, you may refer to ACT Preparation Tips.
Practice Tests and Sample Papers:Â
It is always better to prepare with the help of practice tests and sample papers. The step-by-step way to go about this would be:
- Checking the syllabus thoroughly
- Understanding the exam pattern
- Making a preparation plan covering all the sections
- Picking up some tests to practice
- Referring to old samples papers to see how far you've reached
Download this guide to read it offline
Q: Â What are the tips to prepare for ACT exam?
There are just a couple of tips that one must keep in mind before preparing for ACT exam:
- Check the ACT exam syllabus first, mark the topics where the students are confident enough and mark those where they lack confidence.
- See how much time will you take to prepare for ACT and then begin preparing for the exam based on the timeline keeping the above point in mind.
- Setting up a schedule and making a timetable and following it is must to crack plus prepare for ACT.
- A separate time must be kept for attempting mock exams.
- Those who still need mocks should keep a week or two for extra preparation.
Q: Â How to strategise to prepare for ACT exam in a month?
If the applicant has chosen to appear for ACT exam, then he/she needs to first devise their strategy of preparation. ACT preparation may seem difficult for some while the others may be easy for others. Applicants need to first check how much are they prepared to give the exam. In case the applicants have some confidence in any one or maybe two sections of the ACT, they can easily prepare for the third section of ACT and prepare easily in a month's time.
This should be the ideal strategy of ACT exam preparation if aiming for a month:
- Attempt mocks and check how much preparation you need and then identify the green and red areas.
- Identify the topics or areas which need maximum help in terms of prep.
- After the applicants have identified the areas that need maximum preparation, they should devote time to it and work on it.
- Keep revising the strong sections or topics at regular time period or on alternate days so that they keep in touch.
- Finally, attempt mocks so that they help the applicant in understanding their progress overall, plus they are able to target those areas of lapse also.
Following these tips, applicants can prepare for ACT exam in a month's time.
ACT Syllabus 2024
The ACT exam syllabus covers Reading, Mathematics, English, and Science as mandatory. This exam, however, has an optional writing section as well. Given below is an idea of how the syllabus of the ACT exam goes section-wise:
ACT English Section
The ACT English section tests the student's ability to understand the language basics and the ability to comprehend it too. These topics are broadly tested in ACT for the English section:
Usage/Mechanics
- Punctuation – These questions test your knowledge of internal and ‘end of sentence’ punctuation, with a focus on the relationship of punctuation to meaning.
- Grammar and Usage – These questions test your understanding of the agreement between pronoun and antecedent, between subject and verb, and between modifiers and the word modified; pronoun case; verb formation; idiomatic usage; and formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.
- Sentence Structure – These questions test your understanding of relationships between and among clauses, shifts in construction, and placement of modifiers.
Rhetorical Skills in ACT
- Strategy – These questions test how well you develop a topic by choosing appropriate expressions to an essay's purpose and audience; judging the effect of adding, deleting, or revising supporting material; and testing the relevance of statements in context.
- Organization – These questions test how well you organize ideas, as well as how you choose an effective opening, transitional, and closing sentence.
- Style – These questions test how well you choose appropriate words and images, manage sentence elements, maintain the level of style and tone, and avoid ambiguous pronouns.
ACT Mathematics Section
The following areas of Mathematics are tested in the ACT, thus students can prepare around the following topics:
Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra
- Pre-Algebra – These questions are based on operations like whole numbers, decimals, place value; square roots and approximations; fractions, and integers; the concept of exponents; scientific notation; linear equations in one variable; factors; ratio, proportion, and percentages; absolute value and ordering numbers by value; data collection, representation, and interpretation; counting techniques and probability, and understanding descriptive statistics.
- Elementary Algebra – These questions are based on the evaluation of algebraic expressions, properties of exponents and square roots, understanding algebraic operations, using variables to express functional relationships, and solution of quadratic equations.
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry
- Intermediate Algebra – These questions are based on an understanding of rational and radical expressions, quadratic formulas, sequences and patterns, absolute value equations and inequalities, systems of equations, functions, modelling, quadratic inequalities, matrices, complex numbers, and roots of polynomials.
- Coordinate Geometry – These questions are based on graphing and the relation between equations and graphs, including lines, points, polynomials, other curves, and circles; graphing inequalities; parallel and perpendicular lines; slope; distance; conics and midpoints.
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry
- Plane Geometry – These questions are based on the properties and relations of plane figures, including relations and angles among perpendicular and parallel lines; properties of triangles, circles, rectangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three dimensions.
- Trigonometry – These questions are based on understanding values and properties of trigonometric functions; trigonometric relations in right triangles; graphing trigonometric functions; use of trigonometric identities; modelling using trigonometric functions; and solving trigonometric equations.
ACT Reading Section
The sections on passages that are required to be read and questions to be answered are modelled around the following topics in the ACT:
- Social Studies – These questions are based on passages in the areas of biography, anthropology, business, economics, psychology, history, archaeology, geography, political science, education, and sociology.
- Natural Sciences-Â These questions are based on passages in the areas of meteorology, astronomy, biology, botany, natural history, ecology, geology, physics, medicine, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, technology, chemistry, and zoology.
- Literary Narrative or Prose Fiction – These questions are based on passages from novels, memoirs, short stories, and personal essays. Questions in the Prose Fiction section are based on passages from novels and short stories.
- Humanities – These questions are based on passages in the areas of art, dance, film, language, radio, literary criticism, philosophy, music, television, ethics, architecture, and theatre.
ACT Science Section
The following areas are tested for the Science section of the ACT:
- Data Representation – This section has Graphic and tabular material similar to those in science journals and texts. The questions associated with this format measure skills like graph reading, interpretation of the information presented in tables, and interpretation of scatterplots.
- Research Summaries -Â This section provides descriptions of experiments. The questions focus on the design of experiments and the explanation of results.
- Conflicting Viewpoints -Â This section presents several hypotheses or views that might be based on differing premises or incomplete data, and are inconsistent with one another. The questions focus on the analysis, understanding, and comparison of alternative hypotheses.
To get a detailed syllabus and pattern of the ACT Exam, click ACT Syllabus.
Q: Â What is tested as part of ACT English syllabus?
ACT English section syllabus is based on reading comprehension and understanding of the text plus consequently answering the questions. There are other questions based on the applicant's knowledge in English language's sentence structure & formation, punctuation and how the language is used. The ACT English syllabus also includes the students to review and edit complex texts so that they are coherent and make more sense. Thus, there's mostly about how the language is put to use.
ACT Exam 2024 FAQs
Check the most frequently asked questions about the ACT exam below.Â
Q: Â What all documents do I need to bring to the ACT test centre?
Bring the following with you to the test centre:
- A valid photo ID
- 2 pencils (sharpened) with erasers
- A calculator
- Water bottle
No other item would be permitted at the ACT exam centre thus, abide by the rules and avoid going against them.
Q: Â What are other types of registration fee for the ACT exam?
There are different types of ACT registration fees for students. Candidates need to pay an additional USD 38 as a late registration fee for the ACT if they register after the regular deadline. Around USD 44 is charged for registering for another test date or changing the test centre as well. The other ACT registration fee also includes paying for sending score reports across various institutions before hand also.
Q: Â What if an applicant misses the late registration of ACT exam?
The only solution to missing the final or late registration of ACT exam is to apply for another ACT exam date. The late registration of ACT will not open once closed, hence there is no other option but to wait for the next ACT dates registrations to open. Students must ensure that they are applying in time and for the best possible date as per convenience to avoid last-minute confusions.
Q: Â How to register for the ACT as Indian students?
Candidates can register online for the ACT, this is the most popular method of registering for the ACT. Mail registration is also available to register for the ACT. Students must ensure that they register for ACT before hand and if possible before the late registration deadline to avoid extra charges. Applicants should also check out the fee and exam dates before regstering for ACT exam.
There is no minimum eligibility criteria to register for ACT exam, thus, applicants must make up their minds as to when they have to take the ACT exam and ensure that they register in time to avoid late registration charges. The late registration charges are additional charges, hence, if avaoidable, applicants must avoid.
Q: Â Can I cancel my ACT scores after the test?
No, you cannot cancel the ACT test scores, however, you have the choice to not send the score reports to colleges. If you will cancel the sending of score reports then colleges won't receive your scores. You can cancel the sending of score reports maximum by five days after the test date. One can also request ACT to delete their records of scores from the test administration. Thus, applicants should check what all options they have before going for a score cancellation of ACT exam.
Q: Â What all is there in the ACT score report?
The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.
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