ACT Prep

For a complete list of summer classes view our summer offerings page

 The ACT standardized test is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their readiness to complete college-level work. It is used for college admission decisions and some scholarship qualifications.  All US colleges and universities accept ACT results.

When does my student take the test? The ACT is offered six times during a given school year. These are usually in September, October, December, February, April, and June. Students generally take the test first during the spring of their junior year. It is best to take it as early as possible, as your student may want to take the test again to get the best score possible.

When and how do I register? A registration packet should be available at your student’s high school, but you may also register online at www.actstudent.org.

Try to register at least eight weeks in advance. The sooner your student registers, the easier it is to get your student’s ideal location. Each test date has its own registration deadlines and locations available.

What is the test's structure? The ACT consists of four, multiple-choice tests in English, math, reading, and science, as well as an optional writing test.  Here is a more detailed explanation of each section:

ACT_Prepared

  • The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test, covering mechanics and rhetorical skills. The test will contain five different types of prose passages, each one accompanied by multiple-choice test questions.

  • The math test is a 60-question, 60-minute test designed to measure the mathematical skills students have typically acquired by the end of their junior year (pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.) The questions presented require reasoning skills to solve practical problems in math. Students will be allowed to use an approved calculator but will not be required to perform any extensive computations.

  • The reading test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures reading comprehension. Students are asked to read several passages and answer questions to show understanding of what might be stated or implied in the passages. The test comprises passages that are representative of the reading required in first-year, college-level courses. Passages will cover topics in social studies, natural sciences, prose fiction, and the humanities.

  • The science test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures skills required in sciences such as: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving. The test assumes that students have taken three years or more of high school science courses. The test presents seven sets of scientific information (graphs, tables, summaries, conflicting view points, etc.), each followed by a number of multiple-choice test questions. The question will require a good understanding of the concepts presented and critical analysis of the information presented as to draw conclusions and generalizations.

  • The writing test is a 40-minute essay test that measures writing skills. An issue is defined and described in a prompt with three points of view on that topic. Students need to take a position on the issue and present it in their essay after analyzing and evaluating all three perspectives provided. Students need to substantiate their own perspective, while explaining the differences between their perspective and those provided.

ACT_TestDay

How is it scored? Each subject (English, math, reading, and science) is scored from 1 to 36, and then the composite score is calculated as an average, with the highest being a 36 overall. The scores are rounded to the nearest whole number. Fractions less than one-half are rounded down; fractions one-half or more are rounded up. Each score is a scale score – which means that is equivalent to all the different forms of the ACT, no matter which test date a test was taken. Because the ACT essay section is optional, its score does not affect the overall composite score.

How many times can I take the test? A student can take the test multiple times without penalties.

What should my student bring to the test? Your student should bring an approved calculator, a snack, pencils, his or her ticket, and a picture ID. Do not bring a phone

Can I change a date once registered? Yes, life situations may keep your student from being able to meet a previous commitment and, thus, you may need to change a date. The ACT organization will charge a change date fee.

Can I get a copy of the test? Yes, you may order the Test Information Release (TIR) it within three months of the date that the test was taken but ONLY for the following test dates: December, April, and June. The TIR will provide you a copy of the multiple-choice test questions, a list of your answers, and the answer key. There is a fee of $22 for the TIR service, and it is well worth it especially if your student took his or her first test during one of those months. 

What is the registration schedule for the current academic year and when should I start preparing? 
Click here to see our testing calendar - where you will see the ACT test dates for the current academic year. Call us at least 12 to 15 weeks ahead of a test date to get a diagnosis of what is needed for your particular case and to be able to get you into our schedule.

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? No. However, here's a better question: “Is the ACT easier or better than the SAT for me?" The best way to determine this is to take our ACT vs. SAT Comparison Test. Some students definitely do find the ACT to be easier than the SAT, while others find it equally or even more difficult. The ACT tends to be more straightforward and less cryptic than the SAT. The ACT has a science section; 84% of the ACT science questions involve data analysis, mostly interpreting graphs and charts. ACT grammar has a different emphasis than SAT grammar, and the questions are all reading-passage based. Many consider the ACT reading section to be harder than the SAT reading section. For many, it is difficult to finish within the time allotted. Unlike questions on the SAT, the ACT reading questions do not follow the order of the passage. Slow readers may have a great deal of difficulty with the ACT.

Should I take the ACT in addition to the SAT?  For most students, that is not a good idea. First, figure out which test is best for you, then focus on that test. Vogel Prep's ACT vs. SAT Comparison Test is a great place to start.