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The ACT is a good option for many students. Typically students do better on the ACT if they are stronger in science and math, however, there is a writing portion in this test as well. The great thing about the ACT, unlike the SAT, is that the student can choose which scores colleges see. Otherwise, treat the ACT just like the SAT. Students must practice, complete prep, and take it more than once to improve scores.

ACT Profile

By Jay Brody

What's Being Tested?: The ACT has four required sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. There is also now an optional essay that is used to calculate a Writing score.

Test Format: Unlike the SAT, where each subject area is divided into three sections, the ACT uses just one section for each subject tested. The first section is English, which is 45 minutes. Then Math (60 minutes), Reading (35 minutes), and Science (35 minutes). The optional essay, administered at the end of the ACT, takes 30 minutes.

Scoring the Test: Students are given a 1-36 score on each of the four required sections. The average of these scores, rounded to the nearest whole number, constitutes the "composite ACT score." The essay is not factored into the composite score, but is graded and combined with the English score to create a Writing score.

ACT English: The multiple-choice English section tests punctuation, grammar, usage, mechanics, and rhetorical skills.

ACT Math: Math questions on the ACT cover primarily arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Unlike on the SAT, there are also a few trigonometry questions.

ACT Reading: This section is comprised of four reading passages in the categories of fiction, humanities, social science, and natural science. Students are asked to answer 10 questions about each passage.

ACT Science: The Science section consists of seven passages, each with 5-7 questions. The questions ask students to intepret graphs/charts/tables, understand experiments, and comprehend scientific discussions. The Science section does not presuppose a significant science background in any area.

Offered Six Times a Year: The ACT is typically administered three times in the fall, once in the winter, and twice in the spring.

Many Students Take the ACT More Than Once: There is no limit to how many times someone can take the ACT. Additionally, unlike with the SAT, students can choose to send colleges ACT scores only from specific administrations. Poor scores can remain confidential.

Best Possible Score: The best possible score on the ACT is a 36. Unlike with the SAT, where scores in each section are added together for a total score, your four ACT scores (Writing isn't included) are averaged to determine your composite score. Because a 35.5 or 35.75 average is rounded up to a 36, that means you can get a 35, 35, 36, 36 or a 34, 36, 36, 36 and still get a perfect score. But almost no one scores that high--about one in 6000 students manages to get the elusive 36.

So what's a good ACT score? While many students and parents ask that question, there really isn't a great answer. A good score on the ACT is different for each student, and depends on where you want to go to college.