Most colleges receive numerous student applications at the start of every academic year. Evaluating every candidate’s eligibility for college and specific academic programs can be challenging, given the large volume of data to deal with. The American College Testing (ACT) test, designed to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, streamlines this process for academic institutions. ACT has emerged as a reliable criterion for admitting students, ensuring applicants meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

About ACT exams
American College Testing, or ACT, is a pencil-and-paper examination administered by ACT Inc. that evaluates a student’s eligibility for college. The test assesses students’ proficiency in three core areas based on their school education: English, Math, and Science. It also evaluates their reading and writing skills. ACT practice exams are mock tests that help the students gain insights into question formats, improve their time management, and identify areas that need improvement.

A high score on the ACT examination increases a student’s chances of qualifying for college. The test is conducted multiple times every year—in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. But, it is important to note that certain states may not schedule ACT assessments in some of these months.

Test duration and scoring
The ACT test is nearly three hours long, with an optional 40-minute writing test that many colleges expect applicants to complete. So, including the writing test, the ACT assessment lasts nearly 3.35 hours.

The ACT assessment uses a point scale of 1 to 36, and a student’s cumulative ACT score is the average of their scores in the four exam sections. If a student takes the writing test, this section is scored separately.

Purpose and benefits of the ACT assessment
The ACT test serves several key purposes and offers many benefits for students and academic institutions.

Screening students for college readiness
The main aim of the ACT assessment is to test students’ eligibility to secure college admission. Through this evaluation, colleges can accurately understand a candidate’s academic potential and retention of the skills and knowledge acquired in school. This data helps the college gain insights into a student’s general inclination toward academics as well as specific strengths and weaknesses.

A common data point for assessing candidates
The ACT assessment provides colleges with concrete candidate scores on different subjects and skills, acting as a common data point. With these scores, universities can review and compare candidate profiles and make an informed decision regarding admissions.

Increased scholarship opportunities for students
Besides evaluating student scores for college admission, an ACT assessment helps identify incredibly skilled and talented candidates in specific subject areas. Extremely high ACT scores or exceptional performance in its specific sections increases students’ chances of securing lucrative scholarships to premium colleges nationwide.

Tips to prepare and appear for ACT assessment

1. Review the ACT practice book and other resources
The ACT practice booklet is the most commonly used study material for exam preparation. But, several guides and resources are available online that help students prepare for the ACT. One should evaluate all the available resources and study material carefully so that they are well prepared when taking the test. Solving sample official ACT practice tests available online will help students familiarize themselves with the structure of the actual test, gain insights into frequently asked questions, and facilitate better time management.

2. Identify and work on areas of improvement
When it comes to specific subject areas, each student has their own strength and weaknesses. Preparing for the ACT exam helps students identify their areas of improvement and determine what the focus of their preparation needs to be. Based on this understanding, one should put more effort into honing the skill or studying the subject that is currently not their strong suit. At the same time, it’s also important to continue refining existing skills and strong points to ensure a balanced exam preparation.

3. Try to balance accuracy with speed
For examinations like the ACT, which need to be completed within a specific duration, one has to focus not only on being accurate with their answers but also on completing the test on time. This balancing act between accuracy and speed comes with constant practice, which is necessary when preparing for the ACT test.

4. Stay updated on the registration date and time
The registration date for the ACT exam usually falls around five weeks before the test date. One can either register for the test online through the ACT website or get the registration form and other important materials from a school counselor. It’s important to keep track of any information regarding the registration date to ensure one doesn’t miss any deadlines.

5. Consider appearing for the SAT as well
Many colleges prefer students who have appeared for the SAT as well as the ACT tests. Also, in recent years, certain changes were made to the SAT assessment, which has made it easier for students to prepare for both tests simultaneously and score well on both. To decide which of the two tests one should take—or whether to take both—one can try solving practice papers for both tests. Understanding the specific requirements of the university of one’s preference and consulting a school counselor can also help make this decision.

The ACT assessment significantly increases students’ prospects of enrolling in a college program or course. But, it is advised to consult a school counselor for better preparation and to gain a clear understanding of what is expected.