The Ins and Outs of the ACT

Who?, What?, When?, Where?, Why?, How?, How Much?, Before…, During…,

After…, Questions! Questions! Questions!

Who Takes the ACT?

• Anyone wanting to go to a 4-year university in the U.S.

• Anyone wanting to take a career interest inventory to help narrow down plans for the future (college, tech. school, workforce, military, etc.)

• Any student grades 6-12

WHAT?

The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists

of subject subtests in the areas of:

Science

Reading

Mathematics

English

ACT

The ACT PLUS

WritingThe ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-

minute Writing Test

The ACT…

• Consists of 215 multiple-choice questions

• takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing)

• includes a short break

• Actually takes 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing)

ACT or SAT?• The ACT is an achievement test,

measuring what a student has learned in school

• The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test

• ACT offers its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you're applying to

• The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing

• The ACT has an Interest Inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options

• The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities

• The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test

• The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test

• The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers

• The SAT does not include an Interest Inventory

Do I Need to Take the ACT Plus Writing?

• If you are planning to attend:– Auburn University Required– University of Alabama Recommended– UAB No– UNA No– UAH No– USA No– UT No– UT Martin No– CCC No– Motlow State No– University of Montevallo No– Birmingham Southern Recommended– Samford University Recommended

What is the Highest Possible

ACT Score?

36

What You Need to be Admitted to:

– Auburn University Required– University of Alabama 21– UAB 20– UNA 18– UAH Tentative admission will be

granted on the basis of ACT scores and the H.S. record through the junior year

– USA 16 to 18– UT uses the "super scoring" method

of combining test scores into a new composite score

– UT Martin 18 to 21 depending on GPA– CCC Open Enrollment Policy

– Motlow State Open Enrollment Policy– University of Montevallo 18– Birmingham Southern acceptable score– Samford University required

2009 Test DatesTest Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)April 4 February 27 February 28 -

March 1June 13 May 8 May 9 – 22

2010 Test DatesTest Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)September 12 (Registration deadlines will be posted on the ACT December 12 website as soon as they are made available.)February 6April 10June 12

WHEN?

Pick a test date that is at least two months ahead of the application deadlines of all the colleges and scholarship

agencies you might want to apply to.

• Advantages to testing in your junior year:

– You've probably completed the coursework corresponding to the test material. 

– You'll have your test scores and other information in time to help you plan your senior year. (For example, you may decide to take an additional class in an area in which your test score was low.) 

– Colleges will know of your interests and have your scores in time to contact you during the summer before your senior year, when many of them are sending information about admissions, course placement, scholarships, and special programs to prospective students. 

– You'll have information about yourself and the schools you're considering prior to your campus visits, making your visits more focused. 

– You'll have the opportunity to retest if you feel your scores don't accurately reflect your ability.

– ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once:

• 55% increased their Composite score • 22% had no change in their Composite score • 23% decreased their Composite score

WHY?

Why Take the ACT?• The ACT is universally accepted for college

admission in the U.S. The ACT is accepted by all 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S., including the Ivy League schools.

• The ACT is more than a test. In addition to the tests, the ACT also provides test takers with a unique Interest Inventory that provides valuable information for career and educational planning and a student profile section that provides a comprehensive profile of your work in high school and your future plans.

HOW MUCH?

The Cost of the

Basic registration fee (per test option)

• ACT (No Writing) $31.00 Includes reports for you, your high school (if you authorize reporting), and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register).

• ACT Plus Writing $46.00 Includes reports for you, your high school (if you authorize reporting), and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register).

• Late Registration fee is $20.00

Creating an ACT Student Web Account

• An ACT student Web account allows you to: register online, view scores online and make changes to your registration before the deadline, to name a few.

• ACT encourages all students to create a free student web account.. You will be required to provide identifying information, including an email address. Once you do, you will be able to do all of the following 24/7, anywhere you have Internet access:

– Register to take the ACT Choose your preferred test option– Learn immediately whether your preferred test center has space for you to test – Decide where you want your scores sent – Print your admission ticket (bring it with you on test day) – Receive email messages, including notification when your score report is ready – Use state voucher or fee waiver to register– Print your admission ticket (if you misplace it, even if you registered by mail) – Make changes to your registration (even if you originally registered by mail) – Add or remove Writing Test– Change your test center

Continued…setting up an ACT account

– Change your test date – Add additional college and scholarship score recipients (up to six)– View your Scores – If you test on a national or international test date, you will be able to view your scores online

after you test—before you receive your official score report in the mail. You can view your multiple-choice scores as soon as they are added to the computer files. If you take the ACT Plus Writing, your Writing scores will be added as soon as they are available.

– If you test through State Testing (as of Spring 2008), you will be able to view your scores online about a week after you receive your score report in the mail, but you will need a student Web account to do so.

– Beginning mid-October 2008, if you test through Special Testing, you will also be able to view your scores online about a week after your score report arrives, provided you have a student Web account.

– Update your student profile and view your account history – Complete or update your responses to the High School Course/Grade Information, Student

Profile Section, and Interest Inventory. – Order Test Prep Materials – All services ordered online must be paid for with a valid credit card (American Express,

DISCOVER, MasterCard, VISA) and you must be at least 13 years old to place an online order.

•

WWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG

SEE ALL FAQS

FAQSThis section of the website will answer almost ANY question you may have regarding the test

Test Prep

Guidance Office

•Remember: Ms. Kirk has paper registration packets, practice ACT tests, information regarding local ACT Prep Tutors, etc. Visit the guidance office for specific questions that may arise!!!

•Questions?

• Do not hesitate to come by Ms. Kirk’s office!!!

• 256-423-2685