What is the ACT (American College Test)?
The ACT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. Key features include:
Four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science
Optional Writing section
Multiple-choice format (except for Writing)
Scoring on a scale of 1-36 for each section and composite score
The ACT aims to assess:
College readiness
General academic skills
Problem-solving abilities
Unlike the SAT, the ACT includes a Science section and places more emphasis on content knowledge. Many colleges accept either ACT or SAT scores, and students often take both to maximize their chances of admission.
The ACT also provides:
Career planning resources
Detailed score reports for students and educators
Benchmark scores indicating likelihood of success in college courses
While widely used, the ACT and other standardized tests face ongoing debates about their effectiveness in predicting college success and potential biases against certain student populations.