ACT (American College Testing) Exam: Complete Guide for Students

One of the most popular standardized exams in undergraduate college admissions, especially in the United States and Canada, is the ACT (American College Testing) Exam. ACT scores are recognized by many colleges across the planet as evidence of academic preparedness to university. The exam determines how well the student is knowledgeable and competent in essential academic areas like English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
To students planning to study overseas, particularly in the USA, the ACT is instrumental in boosting their college applications. It tests critical thinking, problem solving skills and college level academic readiness.
This is a complete guide to the ACT exam covering its purpose, the pattern of the exam, its eligibility, its scoring system and tips of preparation.

 What is the ACT Exam?

ACT is a standardized exam, which is mainly used in undergraduate admissions in the United States, and some other nations. It was conducted in 1959, and since then the exam has become one of the significant alternatives to the SAT in college admissions.
The aim of the ACT is to determine the academic readiness of the students to college. It evaluates the student in various academic subjects and estimates their performance levels in his or her first year in college.
The ACT scores are used by the universities in the admission process where they are used in a comparison of the applicants of various educational backgrounds. A high ACT will not only raise the admissions likelihood, but can also assist the students in securing scholarships.
The most important details of the ACT exam are:
 • Recognized by thousands of universities across the globe.
 • Tailored to students who are undergraduate applicants.
 • Held several times per year.
 • Computer based and paper based.
The ACT is administered to well above 1.3 million students annually, proving its significance in college admissions all over the globe.
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ACT Exam Structure and Sections

The ACT test tests students based on multiple-choice questions with four major subjects. There is also optional writing section of the exam.
The key sections of the ACT entail:
1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Reading
4. Science
5. Writing (Optional Essay)
Each of them evaluates particular academic abilities needed to succeed in college-level courses.
English Section
English section is based on grammar, sentence construction, punctuations and rhetoric competencies. The students will have to reread and make changes to brief passages.
Key topics include:
• Grammar and usage
• Sentence structure
• Punctuation rules
• Style and tone
• Organization of ideas
This part is usually composed of 75 questions and has to be answered within 45 minutes.
Mathematics Section
The math part assesses the mathematical thinking ability and problem-solving ability of students.
Topics generally include:
• Pre-algebra
• Algebra
• Coordinate geometry
• Trigonometry
• Data interpretation
In this section, students are allowed to use a calculator whereas it is not allowed in other sections of the exam.
The mathematics testing typically has 60 questions and a duration of 60 minutes.
Reading Section
The reading part is an examination of comprehension and analysis. The students have to read passages and answer the questions according to given information.
Passages to be read are usually taken:
• Literature
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Natural sciences
This part consists of 40 questions and takes 35 minutes.
Science Section
The science section is concerned with analysis of data, scientific argument and logical thinking as opposed to scientific facts.
To respond to questions, students examine charts, graphs, and experiments.
There are also 40 questions in this section that have a duration of 35 minutes.
Optional Writing Section
The ACT writing exam expects the student to compose an essay based on a prompt given. This section evaluates:
• Argument development
• Writing organization
• Language use
• Critical thinking
Though optional, there are some universities where writing section can be mandatory and therefore, a student should enquire about the admission requirements of the institutions of his choice.
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Pattern and length of ACT Exam

The number of years in the ACT test is determined by the selections of optional parts taken by a student.
Typical test duration:
• Nonspecific: approximately 2 hours.
• With optional writing section: approximately 3 hours.
The academic performance of each section is measured efficiently by the number of questions and time limits set in each section of the exam.
The ACT is largely based on multiple-choice questions, which is why it is easier to show the mastery of the essential academic concepts by the students.
ACT Scoring System
 The scoring structure of the ACT exam is one of the most crucial points of the exam.
The ACT is administered in segments, and the scores in every section are out of 36, the maximum attainable score being 36.
The resultant score is referred to as the composite score, which is obtained by averaging the scores of the four major sections.
 For example:
 • English score
 • Math score
 • Reading score
 • Science score
These scores are averaged and the result is the composite ACT score. The ideal score in ACT is 36, yet a certain percentage of students attain this score annually. The average composite score is usually between 18-19, and the scores of most students are between the average range.
ACT Exam Eligibility
The benefit of the ACT exam is that there are no rigid eligibility criteria.
The main eligibility requirements are:
• No official age limit
• No required educational degree.
• Generally used by high school students who are about to join colleges.
The ACT is also available to international students who may wish to apply to any university in United States or any other country that uses the ACT scores.
Since the eligibility rules are not strict, students can complete the ACT more than once to get higher marks.
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Why Take the ACT Exam?

The ACT exam has a number of benefits to students intending to study abroad.
1. University Accepted: ACT scores are accepted in thousands of undergraduate admissions, at universities all over the United States, Canada and other nations.
2. Scholarship Opportunities: With high ACT scores, a student has better opportunities of being awarded merit-based scholarships.
3. Shows Academic Preparedness: ACT assesses the analytical thinking, problem-solving, and reading comprehension skills that are the most important in college success.
4. Flexible Testing: Students should have the choice to write the optional writing section or not based on the university requirements.
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Tips for ACT Exam Preparation

To find the best approaches to the study and to perform it with the necessary results, it is essential to prepare to the ACT cooperating with both clever studying and regular practicing.
• Know the Exam Format: The students must be aware of the exam format, the exam section, type of questions, and time limits.
• Practice using Sample Tests: Mock Tests and practice papers, this practice enables students to know the level and difficulty of questions and time management.
• Capitalize on the Strengths: Find the areas that the improvement is necessary and devote more time to practicing the subjects.
• Increase Reading Speed: As the ACT has time-limited passages that it involves reading passages, it is paramount to increase the speed and comprehension of reading.
• Use Official Prep: Multiplicity of students take advantage of formal practice materials and internet preparation classes that are provided to specifically target the ACT.
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ACT vs SAT: Key Differences

The question that occurs to many students before they decide to study abroad usually is whether they should take the ACT or SAT. The two exams are generally acceptable in the United States and other countries by the university wherein they vary in format, scoring and concentration. These are the major dissimilarities in brief points:
• Main Focus:
ACT gives more consideration to what one learns in school in terms of curriculum based knowledge whereas SAT looks at reasonable thinking and problem solving ability.
• Exam Sections:
ACT consists of the English, Mathematics, Reading and Science sections.
SAT contains mostly Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Mathematics.
• Science Section:
The science section of ACT is also dedicated whereas SAT lacks a separate science test.
• Essay:
ACT provides an optional writing (essay) section.
SAT essay is not compulsory, it is only a requirement in rare instances.
• Scoring System:
The ACT scores are between 1 and 36 depending on the average of four sections.
The scores of SAT are between 400 and 1600 depending on the section scores.
Most universities in the United States accept both exams and thus students may select the test that most suits them and the mode of preparation.
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Conclusion

The ACT(American College Testing) Exam is an important standardized test among individuals who find it essential to be accepted in undergraduate programs in the United States or even elsewhere. The exam is used to determine the level of a student in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science; hence, the test allows universities to know whether the individual is capable of college education.
 The ACT is one of the most significant exams that one would do when seeking international education with its adaptable nature, optional writing section, and international acceptance. Students are able to study the pattern of examination, the method of scoring, and the methods of preparation to increase their standards of learning as well as to increase their survival chances in getting admission to the best universities across the globe.