ACT Full Form

ACT Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 17, 2023 02:33 PM IST

What is the full form of ACT?

The full name of ACT is “American College Testing”. It is a standardized test that is used for college admission in the United States and Canada. This test is administered by ACT which is a non-profit organization of the same name. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas such as English, Mathematics, Reading, and Scientific reasoning. It also provides direct written tests. The ACT test was accepted by all the colleges and Universities in the United States as well as more than 225 universities which are outside of the United States.

History of ACT

The ACT was first introduced in November in the year 1959 by the University of Iowa professor Everett Franklin Lindquist as a competitor to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In February 2005, an optional written test was added to the ACT test. The ACT has seen a rapid increase in number of test takers and in 2012, the ACT surpassed the SAT for the first time ever in the total test takers.

Purpose of ACT

ACT is an entrance exam that consists of multiple-choice questions. The main purpose of ACT includes

  • To measure a high school student's readiness for the colleges

  • To provide the colleges with one common data point which is used to compare all the applicants.

College administration will review the standardized test scores and also based on high school percentage, classes taken in high school, letter of recommendation from mentors, extracurricular activities, admission interviews, and college admission provide the seat to the eligible candidates after taking all these points into consideration.

ACT online registration

The steps involved in the online registration for the ACT test are as follows:

  • First, create an account on the official ACT website.

  • Then choose a test day and test location based on the convenience of the test taker.

  • Create a profile, fill out the application request, upload the required documents and confirm the registration.

  • To finish the registration we need to pay the exam fee. This can be paid using a debit or credit card and there is an option for online payment also.

  • Based on the registration deadlines, register for the exam as soon as possible. The deadlines are usually three to four weeks prior to the examination date.

ACT Fee

The basic fee for the test registration without the writing part is $150 and including writing the registration fee is $166.50. And the fee of $35 is charged for those who want to register after the deadline but before the final date. For those who register after the late registration deadline then the fee is $50. And if anyone wants to change their test date, center or type then the fee is $35.

ACT score validity

ACT score is valid for the five years from which the test is taken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the pattern of the ACT exam?

The ACT exam pattern has multiple choice questions with a total of 215 questions. This exam is divided into four sections such as English, Reading, Mathematics, and science. There is also an optional section which is known as a written section that includes one 30 to 40 minutes writing prompt which defines a problem and also two points of view on that problem.

2. What are the requirements for ACT registration?

The requirements are:

  • A computer or laptop with an active internet connection.

  • Details about high school courses

  • Credit/debit card

  • Passport size photo

  • The entire registration process takes nearly 40-50 minutes.

3. Who is eligible for the ACT exam?

ACT has not introduced any specific requirements for taking the ACT exam officially. ACT has no age limit or grade requirements for taking the exam. Everyone who has completed high school education is allowed to take the ACT exam without any specifications.

4. How is the ACT scored?

Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1 to 36-point scale. Overall ACT score is the average of all four sections' scores on a scale from 1 to 36. If we choose to take a written test, then there will be a separate scoring for the written test.

5. Which is mostly preferred ACT or SAT?

Most colleges accept both test scores and do not prefer one test over the other. But the benefit of ACT is that if we prepare for ACT then it is also used to crack the SAT exam easily because of the changes made to the SAT in 2016 it became easy to prepare for both tests concurrently.

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