ACT Testing
What is the ACT Test?
The ACT test is a standardized test that provides an overview of high school student's preparedness for attending college. Typically taken later in high school, the ACT measures skills that are important for success in college.
The ACT test consists of four multiple-choice tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, and also includes an optional writing test. The test takes 2 hours and 55 minutes when taking the four main sections and 3 hours and 35 minutes if you add the writing test.
Why should I take the ACT?
The ACT is an entrance exam used by many colleges to support admissions decisions because it provides one data source that can be used to compare students. However, at Southern Utah University, there is no requirement for the ACT or SAT for admission. Students have the chance to use either their unweighted GPA or their ACT/SAT score to apply to the university and merit-based scholarships.
How is the ACT scored?
The ACT score provides a score from 1-36 on each test (English, mathematics, reading and science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36.
If, for example, you scored 31 on the English, 30 on the math, 29 on the reading, and 30 on the science sections, your composite ACT score would be 30.
You'll receive subscores in English, math and reading that range between 1 and 18. These scores provide you with more detail about your performance, but they are not actually used by colleges or universities.
The ACT includes an optional essay, known as the writing test. If you take the writing test, you will receive a writing test subscore and a combined English/writing score.
Visit www.ACT.org for detailed information about how your ACT writing test will be scored.
Are you eligible for a fee waiver?
To apply for the ACT fee waiver program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Be currently enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade.
Be testing in the United States, US territories, or Puerto Rico.
Meet one or more of the indicators of economic need listed below:
Enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school, based on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) income levels.
Enrolled in a program for the economically disadvantaged (for example, a federally funded program such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound). Note: If the student participates in a program, but is not economically disadvantaged, they are not eligible for a fee waiver.
Resides in a foster home, is a ward of the state, or is homeless.
Family receives low-income public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing.
Family’s total annual income is at or below USDA levels for free or reduced-price lunches on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.