Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the ACT Important??

• • The ACT is not typically required for admission to technical colleges or community colleges. However, it is required for 4-year universities. A composite score of 21 is the average score required for automatic freshman admission to a 4-year university, although some universities require higher scores. Strong ACT scores can also help you bypass any remedial (non-college level) coursework you need to take at community colleges or universities in math and English (and can help you get into College English your senior year 😊). Regardless of your post-secondary plans (community college, tech school, or university), the ACT is also important when applying for scholarships your senior year. Some private scholarship donors and most universities will give more scholarship money to students with higher ACT scores.

I have to take the ACT more than once?!

• • Although you will be taking the ACT for free at DWHS in February (free of charge), I always recommend taking the test more than once. Our ACT Prep program encourages students to take it 5 times, although I feel that taking it 3 times is often sufficient. Waiting to retake the test your senior year can be done but is not advised. You will be applying to colleges or technical schools at the beginning of next school year. If you don’t have sufficient scores at the time of application, they may choose to deny your acceptance or decline to offer you scholarship funds.

I don’t plan to attend a 4-year university right away (or ever). Do I still need to take the ACT?

• • It never hurts you to have ACT scores on your record. If you plan to transfer to a four-year university after attending a community college, you don’t technically need the ACT if you earn 24 college credit hours at your community college. Even for technical schools and community colleges, ACT scores may impact the amount of scholarship money you receive. As a former college admissions counselor, I have seen 20+ year old students have to register for and take the ACT because they didn’t do it in high school.

Doniphan West High School purchased an ACT Preparation program called OnToCollege with John Baylor. This is a 5 week program that helps students build skills for test taking, specific to the ACT. View the short video below for an idea of what your students will be experiencing. ACT prep will be completed with Mrs. Schneider during Guided Studies prior to the February ACT date.

"Jumping ACT and SAT scores is the best-paying job a high school student can have. OnToCollege Test Prep provides all the content, motivation, and strategies necessary to help increase ACT scores by 2-3 points or more, and SAT scores by 100-200 points. Increased scholarship dollars ensure students become two- or four-year college graduates with minimal debt. OTC College Counseling provides our proprietary books, planning materials, and video collection to assist in the college search and application process. These tools include everything needed to find the best-fit college at the lowest price."