The ACT® is one of the most important tests a high school student will take — not just for college admissions, but for earning the merit scholarships that can dramatically reduce college debt. This guide covers everything: what’s on the test, how it’s scored, what it costs, when to take it, and how to improve your score.
Keep reading and do what you can to jump your score and invest in the best-paying job a high school student can have.
NOTE: ACT® announced changes to the test format for Spring 2025 for national test dates and for school day testing in Spring 2026. Learn more
Table of Contents
What is the ACT® Test?
Colleges use the ACT® Test as a standardized test to make admissions and scholarship decisions and assess college readiness among students. The ACT® Test includes four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science (which has now become optional)—plus an optional Writing section.
The test is multiple choice with specified time limits for each section. It has a total of 131 questions, with a composite score range from 1-36 (writing section scores range from 2-12). You can take the test at locations across the country seven times each year. Some high schools also offer the test during the school day.
How long is the ACT® Test?
The ACT® Test is 2 hours and 5 minutes, including a 15-minute break between Math and Reading. With the (now optional) Science section, the test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. The optional Writing section brings the test to 3 hours and 25 minutes. During the test, you have 35 minutes for the English section, 50 minutes for the Math section, a 15-minute break, 40 minutes for the Reading section, and 40 minutes for the (optional) Science section. If you take the optional writing exam, you’ll have a five-minute break first.
How do you register for the ACT® Test?
Register for the test on the ACT® website. Answer questions about your high school, background, and family, and provide identifying information such as your name, address, and social security number. Upload your photo to be verified when you arrive at the test site. Note: You may need to choose “paper” or “online” as your testing option to see available test centers.
During this process, you also select a test site and test date. You can choose up to four colleges to send your scores to (although not required). Later, you’ll pay $20 per test date report to send scores to each college.
How much does the ACT® Test cost?
In 2026, you’ll pay $68 to take the ACT® Test, and an additional $4 to include the optional Science section. Including the Writing portion adds $25 more to the test cost.
Source: ACT® website
But if you are on a federal free and reduced lunch program, you can receive 2 ACT® Tests at no cost. You are also eligible to send unlimited score reports to colleges.
Even for $70 each try, taking the ACT® Test multiple times can be worth your time and money. In addition, some states use the ACT® Test as their state-wide testing, adding another potential option for you to take the test for free.
When are the ACT® Test dates?
The ACT® schedules tests nationally (in most states) each year in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Therefore, you have multiple opportunities to take the test and improve your scores.
Many schools also offer the test to their students once a year during the school day, typically in states where the ACT® Test is mandated as the required standardized test.
How is the ACT® Test scored?
The ACT® uses a scale from 1-36. But it gets a little more complicated when it comes to how that score is calculated.
First, the ACT® counts the number of questions in each section that were answered correctly. It’s important to note the ACT® does not deduct points for incorrect answers. So, there is no penalty for guessing. Be sure to fill in one bubble for each question.
Next, ACT® converts the raw scores to scale scores, and then uses these to calculate your composite score. ACT® Test scores vary based on the specific test, but here is a sample from the ACT® website:
The composite score is the average of your four section test scores rounded to the nearest whole number. Colleges receive your composite score and the scores from the four sections only for the tests you submit.
What is a good ACT® Test score?
According to the most recent data from the ACT®, the average score on the ACT® Test is 19.4. However, what’s considered a good ACT® Test score depends on each student and their goals.
A good score for the ACT® Test varies based on the college or university you want to attend. A 33 might get you a full-ride scholarship at a large public university but isn’t a guarantee you’ll get admitted to an Ivy League school.
Start by researching the colleges you are interested in attending. Many include average and minimum ACT® Test scores on their websites and in their admission criteria. Next, look at their scholarships, and see what score you need to make that college affordable for you.
Ultimately, don’t just settle for a good score: work toward your best score! Challenge yourself, and study hard for the test. You might surprise yourself and get a better score than you thought you could.
How important are ACT® Test scores for college?
Colleges use ACT® Test scores for a number of reasons. Ultimately, they offer an objective measure to determine college readiness and class placement. This helps colleges to:
- Determine which students get admitted.
- Determine which students get merit-based scholarships (many college scholarship grids consider test scores combined with high school cumulative GPA).
- Place students in classes (ACT® Test or SAT® Test scores are one way to waive out of remedial classes).
Some colleges have test-optional admissions, but that doesn’t mean that scores don’t matter. Test-optional does not mean test-blind. Colleges see your score if it you submit it, and that score can help gain admission and win scholarships. Many test-optional schools still use ACT® Test scores to determine merit-based scholarships.
At the University of Chicago, over 80% of freshmen still submit test scores to distinguish themselves beyond their solid GPAs. Taking the test is only truly optional for students unconcerned about admission AND looking to pay full price.
What ACT® Test score is needed for college?
The average ACT® Test score varies based on the college, primarily the type of school you want to attend.
While high ACT® Test scores aren’t a necessity for admissions to most community colleges, they are still important. For community colleges, a score of 19-23 can get you merit-based scholarships, decreasing the already low cost of community college.
For larger public universities, the minimum score for admissions is typically 20-22.
However, more selective private or public colleges may have minimum ACT® Test scores much higher than public universities. Research the university or college you want to attend to see what their average (and minimum) scores are.
Also, while a minimum ACT® Test score may earn you admission, rarely will it earn you merit-based financial aid. Jumping your ACT® Test score can lower your college costs and help you graduate college with minimal debt.
What ACT® Test scores are needed for scholarships?
Similar to admissions, the ACT® Test score requirement of scholarships varies by school. Research the scholarship and financial aid websites of the schools you want to attend. Or contact their admissions offices to learn more about the requirements for merit-based scholarships.
In the meantime, work to increase your test score and become eligible for more merit-based and private scholarships, as well as more generous need-based aid.
How do SAT® Test scores compare to ACT® Test scores?
The SAT® Test has four sections consisting of 154 total questions and lasts 3 hours. The SAT® Test was significantly reformatted in March 2016, and, while the content is generally more challenging than the ACT® Test, more time is given per question. The Digital SAT® Test launched in March 2024 and may require a new comparison chart.
ACT® Test scores range from 1-36 while SAT® Test scores range from 400-1600. While it’s not always a perfect gauge, here is a chart to help you see how your score on one test may compare to the other.
Source: ACT® website
All colleges accept both the ACT® Test and SAT® Test, so try both, then decide where to focus your effort. The SAT® Test has two Math sections compared to only one for the ACT® Test. The ACT® Test, however, has a Science (optional beginning in April 2025) and Data Interpretation section. In general, the content on the SAT® Test is more challenging, but more time is given per question, compared to the ACT® Test. The most important thing is to take either test multiple times. Improve your scores through practice.
While some states mandate one test over the other, all colleges accept both exams. Thus, you could take both tests one time, and then focus on your preferred test, taking it three more times. Consider your results and decide where to invest your time and effort.
When do you receive your ACT® Test scores?
The ACT® typically releases scores within 10 days of the test date, but it can take up to eight weeks. Writing scores are typically available within four weeks.
When your scores are available, they are posted online to your ACT® account. If you haven’t received your scores in this timeframe, consider these factors.
- Your information on the test admission ticket didn’t match the information on your answer sheet
- Answer documents came late from a test center
- You may have submitted incomplete or inaccurate test form information
- You owe registration fees
- An irregularity was reported at your testing center
Keep an eye out for your scores based on the ACT® timeline.
How much does it cost to send ACT® Test scores?
When you register for the ACT® Test, you can choose to send your scores to up to four colleges. However, you will not be able to see your scores before they are sent.
Or, you can wait to send your scores to colleges after you’ve taken the test. However, these score reports will cost you $20 per test date report, per college.
If you are enrolled in federal free or reduced-price lunch programs, you can send your score reports to as many colleges as you wish for free. You can also take two ACT® Tests for free.
How can you improve your ACT® Test score?
Because the ACT® Test section scores are averaged, it doesn’t matter which scores you increase: your best section scores or your worst. Let’s say you scored a 23 on your last ACT® Test with an English score of 21, a Math score of 25, a Reading score of 23, and a Science (now optional, but strongly encouraged!) score of 24. Now, let’s say you really focus on Math, a subject you feel pretty comfortable with, practicing and increasing that section score to a 30. Increasing that subject alone brings your superscore up to 25. Imagine what a few points in your best subject could do for you, let alone on the entire test.
Keep taking the test. Most people earn their best score the third or fourth time they take the ACT® Test. So don’t stop with your first (or even second) score! Keep working hard and pushing yourself to see how you can improve.
