ACT: FAQ
Q: How much does it cost to take the ACT?
The 2007–2008 basic registration fee is $30.00, which includes sending score reports to up to four colleges of your choices. The basic registration fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $44.50.
Q: How many questions are asked?
You have to answer a total of 215 questions 75 in English, 60 in Math, 40 each in Reading and Science.
Q: How do students benefit from taking the ACT?
Many students think that repeating the ACT is not a good idea. But since you have the choice to submit your highest scores you can take the ACT many times.
You may take the ACT as often as you wish but only once per national test date. Many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a senior.
If you have taken the ACT multiple times, ACT will send only the score from the test you have taken on dates you specify to the colleges.
Q: When will I get my scores?
Most scores are available online within two to three weeks after each national test date. Score reports are usually mailed to your home within 4 to 7 weeks after each test date. If you took Writing, your score report will be mailed only after your Writing scores are available.
Q: Does it help to take the ACT more than once?
ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once:
You can register by mail, or you can do it online at act.org. If you have taken the SAT before, you can re-register by phone.
Q: What is an ACT student Web account and why do I need one?
An ACT student Web account not only allows you to register online, but also allows you to access a variety of ACT services, even if you register by mail. For example, you will need a student Web account to view your scores or make changes to your registration before the deadline.
The 2007–2008 basic registration fee is $30.00, which includes sending score reports to up to four colleges of your choices. The basic registration fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $44.50.
Q: How many questions are asked?
You have to answer a total of 215 questions 75 in English, 60 in Math, 40 each in Reading and Science.
Q: How do students benefit from taking the ACT?
- The ACT is universally accepted for college admission.
- The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, Mathematics, and Science. Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content.
- The ACT is more than a test. 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 a student's work in high school and his or her future plans.
- As a private, not-for-profit organization governed by educators, ACT is committed to providing services at the lowest possible cost. Accordingly, the ACT provides a comprehensive package of educational assessment and career planning services for college-bound students at a fee that is lower than the fee for the competing admission test.
Many students think that repeating the ACT is not a good idea. But since you have the choice to submit your highest scores you can take the ACT many times.
You may take the ACT as often as you wish but only once per national test date. Many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a senior.
If you have taken the ACT multiple times, ACT will send only the score from the test you have taken on dates you specify to the colleges.
Q: When will I get my scores?
Most scores are available online within two to three weeks after each national test date. Score reports are usually mailed to your home within 4 to 7 weeks after each test date. If you took Writing, your score report will be mailed only after your Writing scores are available.
Q: Does it help to take the ACT more than once?
ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once:
- 55% increased their composite score on the retest
- 22% had no change in their composite score on the retest
- 23% decreased their composite score on the retest
You can register by mail, or you can do it online at act.org. If you have taken the SAT before, you can re-register by phone.
Q: What is an ACT student Web account and why do I need one?
An ACT student Web account not only allows you to register online, but also allows you to access a variety of ACT services, even if you register by mail. For example, you will need a student Web account to view your scores or make changes to your registration before the deadline.