- The ACT test, formerly the American College Testing program, was first administered in the fall of 1959 as an alternative to the SAT test. Its purpose was to help students decide on which colleges were best for them and to provide the colleges with information on how to teach the student. The test was more popular in the Midwest and South, while the SAT was used more in the East and West. Today, most 4-year colleges recognize the ACT test.
- The ACT consists of 4 multiple choice tests and an optional writing test. English focuses on mechanics and rhetoric skills. Math focuses on basic algebra skills through to beginning level trigonometry skills. Reading focuses on the arts and literature, and science focuses on evaluation and problem-solving skills. The optional writing test is similar to the SAT essay question. Students must write a short essay based on an assigned prompt. The actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes. The writing part takes an additional 30 minutes.
- The ACT is curriculum-based, so it is not an aptitude or IQ test. Students who do poorly on the SAT may do significantly better on the ACT. Because the questions are based more on the curriculum taught in high schools, students tend to be more comfortable with the test. The ACT also provides an interest inventory for career planning as well as a student profile section that includes the student's high school background and future plans.
- According to the ACT website, the purpose of the test is to provide educational assessment and career planning for the high school student wanting to attend college. Because the ACT is accepted at all of the Ivy League schools and is offered in all 50 states, the ACT is a good choice for all students applying to various colleges. Testing dates are five times a year: October, December, February, April and June. Cost efficiency and accessibility makes the ACT a good alternative to the SAT.
- For the student who does well in high school, the ACT is a good test because it is curriculum based. The scoring of the ACT is different from the SAT. Each of the tests is graded on a one to thirty-six scale, with the optional essay adding points to the total score. There is no wrong answer penalty like in the SAT, and the ACT analyzes student's strengths and weaknesses. The ACT test also provides accommodations for students with disabilities with extended times and alternative formats.
