Find out more at act.org/student.
©2024 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. MR035472
Many colleges and universities still require
or will consider college entrance scores
as part of a holistic admissions process
— stand out from the crowd with an ACT
score!
MORE OPPORTUNITY TO
STAND OUT
The test is designed so by the end of your
junior year, you’ve likely covered all the
material that you will see on the test.
YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN
STUDYING FOR THE ACT
FOR YEARS
With three tests out of the year, you can
order your Test Information Release (TIR) —
your personal question and answer key to
help you strategize for success.
YOU CAN GET YOUR
TEST BACK WITH THE
ANSWER KEY
The ACT includes an education and career
planning section to help you plan for life
after high school.
COLLEGE AND CAREER
PLANNING
Test on paper OR online. Starting April
2025, online testers will experience the
enhanced ACT with a shorter overall format.
Enhancements will be available for paper
testers beginning September 2025.
YOU CAN TAILOR YOUR
TESTING EXPERIENCE
Taking the ACT test can increase your
chances of earning new or better
scholarships.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The ACT test is the only admissions test to
measure science skills. If you choose to take
the science section, you will receive a STEM
score to let you know if you are ready for a
STEM major.
STEM READINESS
The ACT test is the only college entrance
exam that provides support to English
learners on national test dates.
ENGLISH LEARNER
SUPPORT
*Based on publicly released SAT information.
Comparison of the ACT to the SAT*
Accepted at all US colleges
Allows for paper/pencil testing as well
as online
Get your test and answer key back for future
test prep with purchase of TIR
No penalty for guessing
Free daily practice questions
Free comprehensive test practice
Test fees waived for eligible students
Free score reports
You get a STEM score
Testing time
2 hours 55 minutes
+ 40-minute essay (optional)
Composite 1–36
(writing domain scores: 2–12)
4 tests + optional writing test
2 hours 14 minutes
2 tests
1 hour 1 hour 10 minutes
35 minutes 1 hour 4 minutes
Composite 400–1600
Structure
Longest test
Shortest test
Score range
All tests 1 hour or less
Fee waiver students eligible for
college application fee waiver
Measures what you learn in high school
Access to English learner supports for
national test dates
Optional writing test
