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 across 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. 

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.

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 Syllabus

How to Register for the ACT Test?

Once you have decided to take the exam and confirmed 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 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 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 in online mode only for international students. 

Latest Updates on 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 in 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 the 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 to 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