It is an application requirement for every 4-year university and an application requirement for most 2-year colleges.

Many colleges and universities have deadlines for scholarships that will be during your senior year. Waiting too late to take the ACT and get the score you need will result in lost scholarship opportunities. Each college and university will have their own deadline and requirements. If you are interested in a specific college or university, go to their website to find out their deadlines and requirements.

Your ACT score is one component that affects your TOPS eligibility.

An ACT score is REQUIRED to take Dual Enrollment at BCS. As of Fall 2026, The Charter will offer two opportunities for Dual Enrollment: AchievED and InvestED. See the Honors & Dual Enrollment tab for complete information on these two programs. Students can begin taking dual enrollment classes in 10th grade with an ACT score.

• Consider taking the ACT during the Spring or early Summer after your 9th grade year to begin Dual Enrollment in the 10th grade. Paperwork MUST be filed with Mrs. Doles by the end of the previous school year in order to register for Dual Enrollment for the following Fall semester.

You can take the ACT up to 12 times. It is a good idea to take the ACT after you have completed Algebra I to get a feel for the test.

5 sections to the ACT: English, Math, Reading, and the Science and Writing are optional.  

• Each section is timed and are all multiple choice (except the Writing portion).

• At this time, it is suggested that you take the Science portion.

• You do NOT have to take the writing portion of the ACT.

ACT offers free online study tools at academy.act.org. There are also free practice tests online.

For ACT State testing in March at BCS (Students are automatically registered for this test as it is MANDATORY state testing)

• LA requires all juniors to take the state ACT in the spring of their junior year.  

• BCS requires all seniors to take the state ACT that have a score of 21 or below.

Juniors and Seniors at BCS are eligible to receive a total of up to 2 FREE fee waivers to take the ACT for free. (NOTE: ACT changed from 4 Free Fee Waiver to 2 Free Fee Waivers beginning for the 2025-2026 school year.)

If you are interested in taking the ACT and need more information, please contact Mrs. Doles or Mrs. Ellingburg.