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Understanding the ACT Test
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a standardized test created by a nonprofit organization (formerly known as American College Testing). It’s a pencil-and-paper test usually taken on Saturday mornings, and it’s designed to measure your academic skills and knowledge. Colleges use your ACT scores to help with admissions decisions and to guide you toward career options that match your strengths.
The ACT is more than just a test—it’s a tool to help you figure out if you’re ready for college and what kind of career might suit you. As the makers of the test put it, the ACT is “a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.”
The purpose of this page is to help you understand the ACT, find a tutor, answer frequently asked questions, and offer helpful tips/tricks for studying. We will also supply you with a number of links to informational sites on the ACT.
Our aim is to provide you with a start on tackling the ACT exam. Use this as a guide to understand the test and the process of studying/taking it.
The ACT is a standardized test created by a nonprofit organization (formerly known as American College Testing). It’s a pencil-and-paper test usually taken on Saturday mornings, and it’s designed to measure your academic skills and knowledge. Colleges use your ACT scores to help with admissions decisions and to guide you toward career options that match your strengths.
The ACT is more than just a test—it’s a tool to help you figure out if you’re ready for college and what kind of career might suit you. As the makers of the test put it, the ACT is “a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.”
The purpose of this page is to help you understand the ACT, find a tutor, answer frequently asked questions, and offer helpful tips/tricks for studying. We will also supply you with a number of links to informational sites on the ACT.
Our aim is to provide you with a start on tackling the ACT exam. Use this as a guide to understand the test and the process of studying/taking it.
Why Take the ACT?
College Admissions: Most colleges use ACT scores to evaluate applicants.
Career Planning: Your results can help you explore career options that align with your strengths.
Scholarships: A strong ACT score can make you eligible for scholarships and financial aid.
Career Planning: Your results can help you explore career options that align with your strengths.
Scholarships: A strong ACT score can make you eligible for scholarships and financial aid.
What’s on the ACT??
The ACT has four required multiple-choice sections, taken in this order:
There’s also an optional 40-minute Writing section (an essay) that comes after the Science test. While not all colleges require the Writing section, some do, so it’s a good idea to check the requirements of the schools you’re applying to.
Final Thoughts
The ACT might seem intimidating, but it’s just a way to show what you know and help you plan for your future. With a little preparation, you can tackle it confidently and take a big step toward your college and career goals.
- English: Tests your grammar, punctuation, and writing skills.
- Mathematics: Covers algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry.
- Reading: Measures your ability to understand and analyze written passages.
- Science: Evaluates your skills in interpreting data, graphs, and scientific concepts.
There’s also an optional 40-minute Writing section (an essay) that comes after the Science test. While not all colleges require the Writing section, some do, so it’s a good idea to check the requirements of the schools you’re applying to.
Final Thoughts
The ACT might seem intimidating, but it’s just a way to show what you know and help you plan for your future. With a little preparation, you can tackle it confidently and take a big step toward your college and career goals.
What is the Format of the ACT?
Section 1 (English):
45 minutes — 75 questions
The English section tests your language usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills in English. The left side of the page includes five passages with various words, phrases, and sentences underlined. On the right side of the page you are asked if the underline portions is written correctly or wrongly. There are also three options that you choose from to correct the underlined portions.
Section 2 (Math):
60 minutes — 60 questions
The Math section is a standard multiple choice test that assesses all math you have learned in public schooling. It covers mainly algebra, geometry, and trigonometry amongst others. There are five answer choices instead of four for each question, and calculators that fit the requirements are permitted.
Section 3 (Reading):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Reading section consists of four 800 word reading passages. Its passage topics are fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. There are 10 composition questions at the end of each passage.
Section 4 (Science):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Science section is made of six passages preceding five to seven questions each passage. There are three different formats to each passage: Research summary, data representation, and conflicting viewpoints. Specific scientific knowledge (such as formulas) is not necessary in this test. Instead, you are supposed to analyze and interpret the scientific information presented to you in the three formats listed above and evaluate them in the form of multiple choice answers.
Section 4 (Optional Writing):
30 minutes
The Writing section is an optional test in which you must write one essay. If you wish to take the writing test, you will sit the ACT Plus Writing test instead of the standard ACT test. Just because this test is not mandatory does not mean that it is less important than the other tests. Knowledge of your academic writing skills is essential and some colleges require a writing score. You would have to retake the whole ACT again if you didn’t sit the writing test the first time.
You will be given a prompt on a broad social issue and three different perspectives on the issue. You will have to write an essay presenting your position on the prompt and how they relate to the three perspectives. No specific essay structure is required
45 minutes — 75 questions
The English section tests your language usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills in English. The left side of the page includes five passages with various words, phrases, and sentences underlined. On the right side of the page you are asked if the underline portions is written correctly or wrongly. There are also three options that you choose from to correct the underlined portions.
Section 2 (Math):
60 minutes — 60 questions
The Math section is a standard multiple choice test that assesses all math you have learned in public schooling. It covers mainly algebra, geometry, and trigonometry amongst others. There are five answer choices instead of four for each question, and calculators that fit the requirements are permitted.
Section 3 (Reading):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Reading section consists of four 800 word reading passages. Its passage topics are fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. There are 10 composition questions at the end of each passage.
Section 4 (Science):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Science section is made of six passages preceding five to seven questions each passage. There are three different formats to each passage: Research summary, data representation, and conflicting viewpoints. Specific scientific knowledge (such as formulas) is not necessary in this test. Instead, you are supposed to analyze and interpret the scientific information presented to you in the three formats listed above and evaluate them in the form of multiple choice answers.
Section 4 (Optional Writing):
30 minutes
The Writing section is an optional test in which you must write one essay. If you wish to take the writing test, you will sit the ACT Plus Writing test instead of the standard ACT test. Just because this test is not mandatory does not mean that it is less important than the other tests. Knowledge of your academic writing skills is essential and some colleges require a writing score. You would have to retake the whole ACT again if you didn’t sit the writing test the first time.
You will be given a prompt on a broad social issue and three different perspectives on the issue. You will have to write an essay presenting your position on the prompt and how they relate to the three perspectives. No specific essay structure is required
What is the Scoring System of the ACT?
Each of the four multiple choice tests (not including Writing) are given a scaled score of between 1-36, one being lowest, and 36 being highest. The raw score (basically every question you answered right) is converted to a scaled score for each of your subjects.
The highest possible raw scores you can get for each subject are:
English: 75
Math: 60
Reading: 40
Science: 40
The total score is determined by averaging all the test scores together. It is also reported on a scale of 1-36. Your total score is mainly what colleges and universities use to conclude admission.
There are also percentile rankings next to each score you receive. A percentile ranking is the comparison of how well you did on the test and how well other people who took the test on the same day did.
Taking the ACT Plus Writing test means that you will receive three scores in total.
The first score is your writing section score. You will be graded by two people on a scale of 1-6 with a total resulting score from 2-12.
Your second score is when your writing section score and English section score is combined and scaled ranging from 1-36. Your third score is your standard ACT score.
The highest possible raw scores you can get for each subject are:
English: 75
Math: 60
Reading: 40
Science: 40
The total score is determined by averaging all the test scores together. It is also reported on a scale of 1-36. Your total score is mainly what colleges and universities use to conclude admission.
There are also percentile rankings next to each score you receive. A percentile ranking is the comparison of how well you did on the test and how well other people who took the test on the same day did.
Taking the ACT Plus Writing test means that you will receive three scores in total.
The first score is your writing section score. You will be graded by two people on a scale of 1-6 with a total resulting score from 2-12.
Your second score is when your writing section score and English section score is combined and scaled ranging from 1-36. Your third score is your standard ACT score.
Taking the Test
The preferable way to register for the ACT is online at the official site. You can check available spaces and which places offer it in your area. Do not give up if you cannot get a booking. If you missed the late registration deadline, there is a standby testing list that you can request to get on.
SAT or ACT?
The SAT and ACT are similar in many ways and relatively similar in cost. The main difference is that ACT is more geared towards students wishing to pursue a program in the sciences. ACT has a specific section for science questions, while SAT now mixes Science, Literature and the Humanities in its reading section.
The ACT takes a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes to write (plus 30 minutes for the writing section) and the SAT takes a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to write. The writing section for both ACT and the SAT are now optional but some colleges require it for ACT(see list) and SAT (see list).
The ACT total score is determined on a scale from 1-36 and the SAT total scored is determine on a scale from 600-2400. (However, the new SAT will determine scores on a scale from 400-1600. The new SAT will also have no deduction of points for wrong answers)
The SAT is generally less pressuring when it comes to time compared to the ACT. However, some people find the SAT questions more difficult compared to the ACT.
We recommend that you do not study for both tests at once and concentrate on studying for one test. To find out which test is better suited for you, we will provide you with qualified practice tests.
The ACT takes a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes to write (plus 30 minutes for the writing section) and the SAT takes a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to write. The writing section for both ACT and the SAT are now optional but some colleges require it for ACT(see list) and SAT (see list).
The ACT total score is determined on a scale from 1-36 and the SAT total scored is determine on a scale from 600-2400. (However, the new SAT will determine scores on a scale from 400-1600. The new SAT will also have no deduction of points for wrong answers)
The SAT is generally less pressuring when it comes to time compared to the ACT. However, some people find the SAT questions more difficult compared to the ACT.
We recommend that you do not study for both tests at once and concentrate on studying for one test. To find out which test is better suited for you, we will provide you with qualified practice tests.
Need a ACT tutor?
If you feel your best chance of a better result is with a tutor then browse through the Act course page. If in Ottawa, go though the Ottawa ACT tutor page and we have pages for ACT Halifax tutors