ACT
ACT Education Corp.
AdmissionsEnglish
A US college admissions test accepted by US colleges. Since 2025 it has been shorter, and the science section is now optional.
Details
- Format
- Core test (2 hours 5 minutes): English (50 questions, 35 minutes), Math (45 questions, 50 minutes) and Reading (36 questions, 40 minutes). Optional add-ons: Science (40 questions, 40 minutes) and Writing (one essay, 40 minutes).
- Scoring
- Scores are on a 1–36 scale. The Composite score is the average of English, Math and Reading; Science and Writing do not affect it. If you take Science, you also get a Science score and a STEM score. Policies vary: many US colleges are test-optional, while others require scores, so check whether your colleges want Science or Writing.
- How you take it
- In the US: at a test centre, on paper or online (online testing is on a test-centre computer, not at home). Outside the US: online only, at test centres.
- Fee
- In the US: US$70 for the core test, plus US$5 for Science and US$25 for Writing. Outside the US: US$188.50 for the core test, US$198.50 with Science, US$213.50 with Writing, or US$223.50 with both. Late registration costs US$42.