The ACT is a standardized college admissions test taken by high school students across the United States. It measures readiness for college-level work in English, math, and reading, with optional sections in science and writing. Colleges use ACT scores alongside grades, extracurriculars, and essays to evaluate applicants. If you searched “what is an act” looking for the legislative meaning, an Act is simply a bill that has been passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the president, making it law.
This article focuses on the ACT test, since that’s what most searchers want to know.
What the ACT Covers
The ACT has three core multiple-choice sections that every test-taker completes: English, mathematics, and reading. Two additional sections, science and writing, are optional. Here’s what each section looks like:
- English (35 minutes): Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills using passages you edit and revise.
- Mathematics (50 minutes): Covers pre-algebra through trigonometry. You can use an approved calculator.
- Reading (40 minutes): Presents several passages from prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science, then asks comprehension and analysis questions.
- Science (40 minutes, optional): Measures your ability to interpret data, evaluate experiments, and reason scientifically. You don’t need to memorize science facts; it’s more about reading charts and drawing conclusions.
- Writing (40 minutes, optional): One essay prompt asking you to evaluate perspectives on a social or policy issue and present your own argument.
The full test with all five sections takes about three and a half hours including breaks. Without the optional sections, expect roughly two hours of testing time plus check-in and breaks.
How ACT Scoring Works
Each of the core sections (English, math, and reading) is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. Your composite score is the average of those three section scores, also reported on the 1 to 36 scale. The national average composite typically falls around 19 to 21.
If you take the optional science section, you’ll receive a separate science score and a STEM score that combines your math and science performance. Starting with the September 2025 test date, science is no longer factored into the composite score calculation. That means your composite reflects only English, math, and reading.
The writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2 to 12 and does not affect your composite score.
Superscoring Across Test Dates
If you take the ACT more than once, the ACT will calculate a “superscore” for you. This takes your highest English score from any test date, your highest math score from any date, and your highest reading score from any date, then averages those best section scores into a new composite. It’s a way to show colleges the best version of your abilities across multiple attempts.
All test dates from September 2016 onward are eligible for superscoring, and your best section scores can come from any of those sittings. Not every college accepts superscores, though. Some will only look at scores from a single test date, so check the admissions policies of the schools you’re applying to.
What the ACT Costs
The base registration fee for the ACT is $68. Adding the writing section costs an extra $25, bringing the total to $93. Late registration, test date changes, and sending scores to additional colleges beyond the free reports included with registration all carry separate fees.
Fee waivers are available for students who qualify based on financial need. If your family’s income is low enough, your school counselor can provide a fee waiver that covers the registration cost. Each waiver typically covers one test date, and eligible students can receive multiple waivers during high school.
When and Where Students Take It
The ACT is offered several times a year, with national test dates typically falling in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Most students take it for the first time in the spring of their junior year, giving them time to retake it in the fall of senior year if they want to improve.
You register online through the ACT website and choose a test center near you, usually a local high school. Some states also administer the ACT during the school day as part of statewide testing, which means you take it at your own school for free.
Recent Changes to the Test
The ACT has made some significant updates. The biggest shift, effective September 2025, is that the composite score is now calculated from only three sections: English, math, and reading. Science is still available and still produces a reportable score, but it’s treated as a standalone section rather than part of the composite.
The organization has also been rolling out a digital testing option alongside the traditional paper format. International test centers began offering digital testing first, and domestic availability has been expanding. The digital version covers the same content and scoring, just delivered on a computer screen instead of a paper booklet.
ACT Scores and College Admissions
Most four-year colleges in the U.S. accept the ACT, and it carries the same weight as the SAT in admissions decisions. A growing number of schools have adopted test-optional policies, meaning you can choose whether to submit scores. If your score strengthens your application, send it. If it doesn’t reflect your academic record, you may be better off applying without it.
Score expectations vary widely by school. Community colleges and many state universities admit students across a broad score range, while highly selective universities often see admitted students with composites in the 33 to 36 range. Your target score depends entirely on where you’re applying. Most colleges publish the middle 50% score range of their admitted students, which gives you a realistic benchmark.
How to Prepare
The ACT is a skills-based test, not a knowledge dump. The most effective preparation combines familiarity with the test format, timed practice, and targeted review of weak areas. Free practice tests are available on the ACT website, and many libraries and schools offer prep resources at no cost.
Paid options include prep courses from test prep companies, private tutoring, and study guides. These range from $20 for a book to several hundred dollars for a course, and some students find them helpful while others do just as well with free materials and disciplined self-study. The key is taking full-length timed practice tests under realistic conditions so the pacing feels natural on test day.