ACT

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It measures high school students’ academic readiness in four core areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing (essay) section. The ACT score ranges from 1 to 36 for each section, and a composite score is the average of the four test areas. Historically, the ACT has been a key indicator of college readiness and has helped millions of students demonstrate their skills to colleges and universities. Over the years, the average composite score nationally has hovered around 20 to 21, reflecting a broad range of student abilities. Many states, including South Carolina, use ACT scores as part of their College and Career Readiness benchmarks, emphasizing its role in preparing students for success beyond high school. 

The ACT is designed to assess a high school student’s academic skills and readiness for college-level work. It evaluates four core subject areas:

• English: This section tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. It measures a student’s ability to understand and improve written English, focusing on grammar usage and organization within passages.
  
  

• Mathematics: Covering topics typically taught up to the beginning of 12th grade, the math section includes algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry. It assesses problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and the ability to apply formulas and concepts to real-world scenarios.
  
  

• Reading: This portion evaluates reading comprehension by asking students to read passages from prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences. It tests the ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate written material efficiently.
  
  

• Science: Unique among major college admissions tests, the ACT includes a science reasoning section that examines critical thinking skills. It requires interpreting data, understanding scientific experiments, and evaluating hypotheses across biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth sciences.
  
  

There is also an optional Writing (essay) section that measures writing skills, specifically the ability to develop an argument, support ideas with reasoning and examples, and organize a coherent essay under timed conditions.

Together, these sections provide a comprehensive snapshot of a student’s academic capabilities and readiness to succeed in college coursework.

• The ACT was first introduced in 1959 as an alternative to the SAT.
  
  

• It is taken by over 2 million students annually in the U.S. and around the world.
  
  

• The test takes about 3 hours to complete, with an optional 40-minute writing section.
  
  

• The highest possible composite score on the ACT is 36.
  
  

• The ACT is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.
  
  

• South Carolina requires the ACT as part of its College and Career Readiness standards.
  
  

• The ACT includes a unique Science section, unlike the SAT.
  
  

• In recent years, the average national composite score has hovered around 20–21.
  
  

• The ACT offers free online prep resources and practice tests to help students succeed.
  
  

• Some students take the ACT multiple times to improve their scores.