About the Event

The ACT is a standardized college entrance exam used by many universities in the United States to evaluate students for admission and scholarships. ACT, Inc. administers the test.

It measures a student’s readiness for college in four main subjects:

• English – grammar, punctuation, and writing skills

• Math – algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem-solving

• Reading – comprehension and analysis of passages

• Science – interpretation of data, graphs, and scientific reasoning

There is also an optional Writing (Essay) section.

Key Facts

• Total test time: about 2 hours 55 minutes (without essay)

• Scoring range: 1–36

• Accepted by colleges across the U.S.

• Offered multiple times each year

• Can help with college admissions, scholarships, and placement

Purpose

The ACT helps colleges understand:

• Academic preparedness

• Critical thinking skills

• Problem-solving ability

• Reading and math proficiency

Many students take the ACT during 11th or 12th grade in high school.