Although the SAT is usually thought of when preparing for college, there is another option to consider. Like its counterpart, the American College Test, or ACT, is designed to help universities assess your readiness for higher academia. It is normal for students to consider both tests when developing their college resumes to see which is better tailored to their strengths. The ACT is accepted by all four-year universities.
Students who will study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathemamtics) courses in college should complete the ACT test.
What is the ACT like?
Unlike the SAT, the ACT tests four subjects: Math, Science, Reading, English, with an optional Writing portion. The grading scale is significantly different as well. The four required sections are graded from a scale of 8-36 with the optional Writing section graded on a scale of 1-6. The test takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Just like any comprehensive exam, there are key strategies All Pro Tutoring uses to maximize your score for each section.
Reading Section:
The Reading section of the ACT is a 35-minute, 40-question assessment testing reasoning and understanding of information. There will be 4 passages using topics pulled from Natural Sciences, Prose Fiction, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Each passage will have 10 questions that follow.
Math Section:
The Math section is composed of a 60-minute, 60-question section. The topics involved are Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Unlike the SAT, the ACT allows students to use a calculator for the entire session.
Science Section:
A 35-minute section made up of 40 questions, the Science section greatly resembles the Reading section but is split into 7 passages. As such, expect to use similar strategies, such as having a basic comprehension of graphs, data, and trends in topics such as Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
English Section:
The English section consists of 75 short questions answered in a span of 45 minutes. Expect to be tested on grammar rules, punctuation, and concise usage of language. Although you’ll have the least amount of time per question, with the correct strategies you should have no issue finishing this section in time.
Essay Section:
The optional 40-minute Essay prompts you with three perspectives. The requirement is to use all positions to form and defend a well-developed opinion. Many students opt to avoid the essay, but it is always important to check university program requirements before doing so.
Wait! Don’t forget to register:
Register for the ACT at, www.act.org and think about scheduling a practice exam. Since the ACT is offered throughout the year, it’s easy to build an effective study plan. Whether taking the test in a few weeks or a few months, scheduling a practice exam and having a study guide to review expectations will lead to a clearer understanding of how to increase test scores.
The Next Steps:
After registering, review scores top universities expect on their applications and remember to take a practice test. Determining your goal score is half the battle. At All-Pro Tutoring, our team has the skill and experience necessary to help you achieve that goal. The ACT is an important step in the application process, a step we’re willing to help any student take.
At All-Pro Tutoring, we offer three separate tutoring options for the ACT: individual sessions, group sessions, and a 4-hour or 9-hour class course. We also provide a free practice test to better prepare students for the ACT test.
Contact our team today to help with the next step in creating a stellar college application!