ACT Exam 2023: Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Registration, Tips

ACT, or American College Testing, is a standardized entrance examination for admissions to graduate courses in universities and colleges in the USA . This test is for high school pass-outs to determine their aptitude for undergraduate-level studies following high school. Although the ACT exam is conducted by a US-based nonprofit organization, ACT, for admission to US universities, it is a widely accepted examination by universities globally if you are planning to study abroad. 

This blog will take you through all that you need to know about the exam. You can also get the latest 2023 updates for the exam here.

ACT Exam: Key Highlights

The ACT exam is designed to evaluate students' college readiness after completion of class 12th.        
 

Here are the key facts to know about this exam:

ACT Exam Dates 2023

The ACT exam is conducted seven times a year, and the important dates for this exam in 2023 are as follows:       
 

ACT Academic Eligibility

The ACT does not specify any minimum eligibility for taking the test. Being a university and college entrance exam, it has no specific educational requirements in terms of grades and courses. Hence, the test is accessible to all students equally. 

Even though there are no ACT criteria for taking the ACT exam, students must complete the course-specific requirements specified by the universities they wish to attend. Attempting the optional writing portion also depends on whether the universities you wish to apply to ask for it. If you are planning to write ACT exam contact study abroad consultants , check the university requirements and accordingly get the scores.

ACT Age Limit

Although the ACT exam is meant for high school graduates, students who are in grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 can also take this exam. There is no specified age limit to appear for the test. Generally, high school graduates and students above the age of 13 years take this exam. Students under 16 years of age need to get their parents' approval to apply for the ACT examination.

ACT Exam Fee 

The ACT exam costs INR 4,835.25, or INR 6,754 if you opt to take the writing portion of the test. Both the late registration fee for the ACT exam and the fee for changing the test date or site is INR 1,918.75.

 Check out some additional details on the cost of the ACT test:   
 

ACT Syllabus

To prepare effectively for the ACT exam, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of its syllabus and exam pattern. The test comprises four main sections, namely English, Math, Reading, and Science, and is a multiple-choice examination that lasts for three hours. Although the Writing section is optional, it is still advisable to be well-versed in the exam's syllabus and pattern to ensure optimal preparation.

1. The English section is focused on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
2. The Math section tests the student's knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. 
3. The Reading section analyzes the student's comprehension skills.
4. The Science section tests the student's reasoning skills and ability to analyze data.

ACT English Section Syllabus

The opening section of the ACT exam is mandatory and comprises 75 multiple-choice questions drawn from five different passages. These questions are designed to assess a student's proficiency in grammar and rhetorical skills based on a comprehensive understanding of the passages provided. The grammar test will focus on the correct usage of words in a sentence, sentence structure, and punctuation. Punctuation questions are critical in evaluating a student's ability to use commas, colons, periods, and question marks in the appropriate places. Examinees will also be tested on their ability to modify and improve the given passage using appropriate sentences and words. The writing style is important in maintaining the structure, tone, format, and flow of the passage.

 ACT Mathematics Section Syllabus

For the ACT exam section, a simple calculator is permitted. The test will cover a broad range of mathematical concepts, including percentages, multiples, factors, ratios, profits and losses, exponents, statistics, series, mean/median/mode, linear equations, inequalities, multiplying binomials, quadratic equations, functions, circles, polygons, triangles, geometry, graphs, complex numbers, trigonometry, 3-D geometry, slope calculations, number lines, midpoints, and conic sections. It encompasses the entirety of the mathematics syllabus for classes 11 and 12.

ACT Reading Section Syllabus

A total of four lengthy paragraphs representing four different genres will be included in the ACT reading test. It will come from categories like written English, the arts, social science, and natural science. The passages will each include ten questions. Finding little details in the passage, analyzing sentence structure and flow, and understanding the primary characters and central concepts will all be put to the test. Questions based on the description, implied concepts, vocabulary, functional questions, and central idea questions will be present. The greatest advice for passing this section is to finish the simple portions first and then devote focus to the challenging ones.

ACT Science Section Syllabus

There will be seven texts and 40 multiple-choice questions in the science part. Earth science, chemistry, physics, and biology will be covered. Knowledge of theories, analytical skills, scientific aptitude, and reasoning is crucial. The scientific portion of the ACT exam will cover a variety of subjects, including data, hypotheses, analytical techniques, and interpretations.

ACT Pattern

How to Register for the ACT Test?

Once you have decided to study in USA , you must take the exam and confirm your eligibility for the same, your next step will be to register for the exam. Below is a step-by-step guide to applying for the ACT exam:

1. Go to the official website of ACT and click on the register button to create your account.
2. Give relevant personal information and contact details.
3. Share your high school academic record and extracurricular activities.
4. Specify your preferred colleges and career options.
5. Select a test day and location that suits you.
6. Upload a scanned photo to be printed on the admission ticket.
7. Pay the applicable registration fees.
8. Download the admission ticket.

Guidelines for uploading a photo:       

• Single photo with no other person or object in the background
• Photo of head and shoulders squarely facing the camera
• Picture in portrait mode and not landscape mode
• No filters, emojis, lenses, or dark glasses in the picture
• Maximum file size 5 MB
• Clear 640 x 480-pixel image
• Only JPEG, JPG, PNG, or BMP formats are allowed

When to Register for the ACT Test?

The ACT scores are usually available online within eight weeks of the test. The writing section results are available two weeks after the reveal of generic scores. Registering for the exam well ahead of time guarantees that test-takers will get scorecards by the time of admission. Considering that applicants should schedule their test at least three months before the college application deadline. 

The registration fee for the ACT examination must be paid with an international credit or debit card. Late registration deadlines are usually two to three weeks before the exam date, but they incur late registration charges. Also, you must have a valid international passport to apply for the ACT test. ACT registration is available online mode only for international students. 

ACT Scoring

The ACT's four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—are each given a score between 1 and 36. The average of the four exams makes up the composite score. Students who take the optional writing test will obtain a writing score for that part ranging from 1 to 36. The composite score is unaffected by the writing score.

• ACT Scores are released 2 weeks after the test date.
• ACT accounts allow students to access their ACT scores.
• The score for the writing test is announced separately and has no impact on the overall score of the candidate.
• The ACT composite score ranges from 1 to 36.

Check out the average ACT scores by sections:   

How ACT is scored?

The ACT uses different scoring methods for writing tests and multiple-choice tests. For multiple-choice tests, a point is awarded for each correct answer, and no points are given for incorrect answers.

• The maximum raw score for a test with 40 questions is 40, and the highest raw score for a test with 60 questions is 60.
• The raw test scores are then translated into a scale of 1-36 for each test.
• Since it is not practical to create question papers of the exact same difficulty level, this is done to invalidate the effects of difficulty level fluctuation across different test dates.
• The average of the converted scaled scores from the four tests, rounded to the nearest whole number, is the composite score.
• A third examiner reviews the examination if there is a difference in the scores given by the two examiners of more than one point.
• The combined marks of the two evaluators give the final writing test score.
• To create the English Language Arts (ELA) score, students' English Writing and Reading scores are once more scaled.
• Without writers, the ELA for the ACT won't be generated.
• A scale from 2 to 12 is used to grade the ACT writing test. Four criteria—ideas and analysis, development and support, organisation and language use, and conventions—are used by two examiners to rate the test on a scale of 1 to 6.

Latest Updates on the ACT Test

The ACT college entrance exam is accepted by nearly all colleges and institutions in the United States and also other countries. Test guidelines may be changed from time to time in accordance with evolving scenarios. 

The ACT exam was made computer-based from the traditional paper-based test in 2015. This change did not affect the exam syllabus and question format.

In 2021, as the world grappled with the coronavirus outbreak, ACT/SAT exam eligibility requirements were dropped by universities in the United States, making the test optional. Due to the ongoing circumstances, universities in the United States made the test optional for the academic year 2021.

For the Fall terms of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as well, undergraduate applicants are not obliged to submit their ACT or SAT score. The rule has been relaxed to make sure that every student is able to submit a complete application.

How to Prepare for the ACT in 2023?

Now we come to the trickiest part of the exam, and that is preparation. Being a highly competitive exam, ACT requires students to be highly proficient in different subjects like science, math, and language to award them good scores. And this comes with practice.

There are two ways for students to prepare for the ACT: one, they can study and practice consistently on their own; two, they can join some coaching classes and follow the specified routine. Both these options have unique benefits, and the choice of method depends on the individual requirements and preferences of the exam takers.

If money is a concern and one is quite confident of being able to prepare well without supervision, then self-study may be the better option to prepare for the ACT. However, to be able to study effectively on a consistent basis by yourself requires plenty of self-motivation and self-discipline, besides access to good resources and study material.

Whereas, if time is a constraint and you need professional guidance to gain a competitive edge in exam preparation, then coaching classes are a better option. You will get access to better resources for study and experts to guide you. Your time management and motivation will be better as being regular in classes and meeting other students will become part of your routine.

Irrespective of the method of preparation a student chooses, taking practice tests and answering sample papers should be a necessary component of their exam preparation. It helps to get a good grasp of the exam pattern, improve speed and accuracy in answering questions, and to know how well one stands in terms of exam readiness.

Conclusion 

To ace the ACT exam or any exam, you need to know all about it first. Now that you have all the relevant information about ACT at your fingertips, you know how to go about it and succeed in the exam.

If you're thinking about attending a university abroad, Edmissions can be of service. You can schedule a session with a consultant at edmissions.com , and we can offer advice on everything from the college application process to the tasks that need to be completed before you depart.

Do you want to pursue an international education? For further information, contact Edmissions at [email protected].       

For a quick overview related to study abroad, click here