All about ACT exam : pattern, scoring, eligibility

Learn everything about the ACT and discover who can benefit from its candidacy.

What is ACT exam?

Purpose: The ACT (American College Testing) exam is a standardised test designed to derive talent school students’ readiness for college competency.
Sections: It consists of four mandatory sections – English, Math, Reading, and Science – each assessing different skills relevant to college-level studies.
Optional Writing Test: While the ACT includes an optional Writing Test, not all colleges require it for admission. It serves as an assessment for writing skills.
Scoring: Scores range from 1 to 36 for each section, with a composite score being the average of the four section scores.
Aptitude: The English section evaluates grammar and language usage. The Math section assesses mathematical skills and problem-solving. The Reading section tests comprehension abilities. The Science section gauges interpretation and analysis of scientific information.
Preparation: Students often engage in test preparation through study guides, practice tests, and giving mocks for continuous improvement in their performance.
College Admissions: Many colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and many others use ACT scores as part of their admission criteria.
Frequency: The ACT is administered multiple times throughout the year, allowing students to choose when to take the test based on their preparation and college application timelines.
Competition: ACT is an alternative to the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and is widely accepted by colleges and universities across the United States.
Eligibility: The exam is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors, and sometimes sophomores, aiming to showcase their academic abilities for college admissions.

ACT exam: an overview

ACT abbreviation	American College Testing
Conducted by	ACT inc.
Mode	CBT as well as paper-based
Types of questions	MCQs
Total questions	215 (+ 1 optional essay)
Exam duration	175 minutes (+ 40 mins for writing section)
Negative Marking	No negative marking
Eligibility	Anyone above the age 13

Syllabus for ACT: know what comes & prepare accordingly.

English Section:
- Usage/Mechanics:
  - Punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons, etc.)
  - Grammar and usage (subject-verb agreement, pronouns, etc.)
  - Sentence structure (fragments, run-ons, etc.)
- Rhetorical Skills:
  - Strategy (organisation, relevance)
  - Style (word choice, tone)
  - Organization (paragraph structure, transitions)
Sample test available!
Maths Section:
- Pre-Algebra:
  - Arithmetic operations
  - Factors and multiples
  - Fractions, decimals, percentages
- Elementary Algebra:
  - Solving equations
  - Inequalities
  - Exponents
- Intermediate Algebra:
  - Quadratic equations
  - Rational expressions
  - Functions
- Coordinate Geometry:
  - Graphs of equations and inequalities
  - Slope and distance
- Plane Geometry:
  - Properties of shapes
  - Area and volume calculations
- Trigonometry:
  - Basic trigonometric functions
Sample test available!
Reading Section:
- Prose Fiction:
  - Understanding and interpreting fiction passages
- Social Science:
  - Analysing and comprehending social science passages
- Humanities:
  - Understanding and interpreting humanities passages
- Natural Science:
  - Analysing and comprehending natural science passages
Sample test available!
Science Section:
- Data Representation:
  - Interpreting and analysing data presented in graphs, tables, and charts
- Research Summaries:
  - Understanding and interpreting research summaries
- Conflicting Viewpoints:
  - Analysing and comparing different scientific viewpoints
Sample test available!
Optional Writing Test:
- Essay Prompt:
  - Analysing an issue
  - Presenting a perspective with supporting examples and reasoning

How is the ACT score being calculated?

The ACT score is calculated based on the number of correct answers in each of the four mandatory sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Raw Scores:
- For each of the four main sections, you receive a raw score, which is the number of questions you answered correctly.
Raw Score to Scaled Score Conversion:
- The raw scores are then converted to scaled scores. The scaling process adjusts for variations in difficulty between different test versions, ensuring fairness.
- The scaled score for each section ranges from 1 to 36.
Calculation of the Composite Score:
- The composite score is the average of the scaled scores from the four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science.
- The composite score also ranges from 1 to 36.
Optional Writing Test:
- If you take the optional Writing Test, you receive a separate score ranging from 2 to 12 based on the quality of your essay.
Reporting:
- ACT provides a score report that includes your composite score and individual section scores. The report also includes subscores for specific skill areas within English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Test dates for ACT exam 2024 :

Test Dates	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Photo upload Standby Deadline
February 10, 2024	January 5	January 19	February 2
April 13, 2024	March 8	March 22	April 5
June 8, 2024	May 3	May 17	May 31
July 13, 2024	June 7	June 21	July 5

Eligibility criteria for ACT exam:

How to register for the ACT exam?

Online Registration:

Create an Account:
- Visit the official ACT website .
- Create an account.
Select Test Date and Location:
- Log in to your account.
- Choose your preferred test date and testing location.
Complete the Registration Form:
- Fill out the registration form, providing personal information, school information, and other required details.
Upload Photo:
- Upload a recognizable photo of yourself as per the specified guidelines.
Choose Test Options:
- Select any optional features, such as the Writing Test.
Review and Pay:
- Review your registration information and make the required payment.
Receive Confirmation:
- After completing the registration and payment, you should receive a confirmation email.

Offline Registration:

Get a Paper Registration Packet:
- Obtain a paper registration packet, which is available at your school’s guidance counsellor’s office or by contacting ACT.
Complete the Registration Form:
- Fill out the paper registration form with your personal and test information.
Include Payment:
- Provide payment information with a check or money order payable to ACT.
Mail Registration:
- Mail the completed registration form and payment to the address specified in the registration packet.
Receive Confirmation:
- You should receive a confirmation via mail or email once your registration is processed.

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