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{{Short description|American standardized test used for college admissions}}
{{About|the college admission test in the United States|the company which administers this test|ACT, Inc.}}
{{Update|type=|updated=June 2019|reason=|date=June 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox examination
| name                = ACT
| image_name          = ACT logo.svg
| image_size          = 255 px
| type                = Paper-based and computer-based standardized test
| test_admin          = [[ACT, Inc.]]
| skills_tested       = [[English studies|English]], [[math]], [[Reading (process)|reading]], [[science]] (optional), [[writing]] (optional).<ref name="ACT-2025">{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/enhancements.html |title=ACT Test Enhancements |publisher=ACT Education Corp. |access-date=March 22, 2025}} The science section was made optional as of April 2025 for online tests and September 2025 for all tests.</ref>
| purpose             = Undergraduate admissions (mostly in the US and Canadian universities or colleges).
| year_started        = {{Start date and age|1959}}
| duration            = [[English studies|English]]: 35 minutes, <br /> [[Math]]: 50 minutes, <br /> [[Reading (process)|Reading]]: 40 minutes, <br /> Optional science test: 40 minutes, <br /> Optional writing test: 40 minutes. <br /> Total: 2 hours and 5 minutes (excluding optional sections and breaks).<ref name="ACT-2025" />
| score_range         = Composite score: 1 to 36, <br /> Subscore (for each of the four subject areas): 1 to 36. <br /> (All in 1-point increments.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/scores/understand/studentreport.html|title=Understand Your Scores – Sample Student Report – ACT Student|publisher=ACT, Inc.|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> <br />Optional Writing Score: 2 to 12. (Sum of two graders’ scoring from 1-6)
| offered             = US and Canada: 7 times a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html|title=Registration – Test Dates in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada – ACT Student|publisher=ACT, Inc.|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> <br /> Other countries: 5 times a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/regist/intldates.html|title=Registration – Test Dates in Other Countries – ACT Student|publisher=ACT, Inc.|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
| regions             = Worldwide<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/regist/centers/|title=Test Center Locations, Dates, and Codes|publisher=ACT, Inc.|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/regist/outside/|title=Test Center Codes – International – ACT Student|publisher=ACT Inc.|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
| language            = [[English language|English]]
| test_takers         = {{Decrease}} Over 1.37 million high school graduates in the class of 2024<ref name=NationalReport />
| prerequisite        = No official prerequisite. Intended for high school students. Fluency in [[English language|English]] assumed.
| fee                 = Without writing or science: US$65.00 {{As of|lc=y |2025}}. <br /> Science add-on: US$4.00 {{As of|lc=y |2025}}. Writing add-on: US$25.00 {{As of|lc=y |2025}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/fees.html |title=Current ACT Fees and Services |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=June 24, 2025}}</ref> <br /> Outside US: $125.50 surcharge and $6.00 surcharge for science add-on {{As of|lc=y |2025}} in addition to the above amounts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://global.act.org/content/global/en/products-and-services/the-act-non-us/registration/fees.html |title=Current ACT Fees and Services (global) |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=June 24, 2025}}</ref> (Fee waivers are available for 11th or 12th grade students who are US citizens or testing in the US or US territories, and have demonstrated financial need.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/help.html |title=The ACT Test Help and Frequently Asked Questions – Am I eligible for a fee waiver? |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627021201/https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/help.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>)
| score_users         = Colleges or universities offering undergraduate programs (mostly in the US and Canada).
| website             = {{URL|http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html|www.act.org}}
}}

The '''ACT''' ({{IPAc-en|eɪ|.|s|iː|.|t|iː|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-ACT (test).wav}}; originally an abbreviation of '''American College Testing''')<ref name=ACThistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.act.org/aboutact/history.html |title=About ACT: History |access-date=October 25, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008113919/http://www.act.org/aboutact/history.html| archive-date=October 8, 2006  |url-status=dead}} Name changed in 1996.</ref> is a [[standardized test]] used for [[University and college admissions|college admissions]] in the [[Education in the United States|United States]].  It is administered by [[ACT, Inc.]], a for-profit organization of the same name.<ref name="ACThistory" />  The ACT test covers three academic skill areas: [[English studies|English]], [[mathematics]], and [[Reading (process)|reading]]. It also offers optional [[reasoning|scientific reasoning]] and direct writing tests. It is accepted by many four-year colleges and universities in the United States as well as more than 225 universities outside of the U.S.

The multiple-choice test sections of the ACT (all except the optional writing test) are individually [[Test score|scored]] on a scale of 1–36. In addition, a composite score consisting of the rounded whole number average of the scores for English, reading, and math is provided.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the ACT Test |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test.html |website=About the ACT Test - K12 Solutions |publisher=ACT |access-date=19 May 2024 |ref=About_ACT_Test}}</ref>

The ACT was first introduced in November 1959 by [[University of Iowa]] professor [[Everett Franklin Lindquist]] as a competitor to the [[SAT|Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)]].<ref>"[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588246/ACT_Assessment.html ACT Assessment]", Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829073005/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588246/ACT_Assessment.html|date=August 29, 2009}} October 31, 2009.</ref> The ACT originally consisted of four tests: [[English grammar|English]], [[Mathematics]], [[Social Studies]], and [[Natural Sciences]]. In 1989, however, the Social Studies test was changed into a Reading section (which included a social sciences subsection), and the Natural Sciences test was renamed the Science Reasoning test, with more emphasis on problem-solving skills as opposed to memorizing scientific facts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/sat-act-history.html |title=A (Mostly) Brief History Of The SAT and ACTs|publisher=Erik the Red |access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> In February 2005, an optional Writing Test was added to the ACT.  By the fall of 2017, computer-based ACT tests were available for school-day testing in limited school districts of the US, with greater availability expected in fall of 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/will-act-start-computer-based-testing/ |first1=David |last1=Recine |date=July 21, 2017 |title=When Will the ACT Start Computer-Based Testing? |publisher=Magoosh Blog {{!}} High School |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905065247/https://magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/will-act-start-computer-based-testing/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 5, 2018}}</ref> In July 2024, the ACT announced that the test duration was shortened; the science section, like the writing one, would become optional; and online testing would be rolled out nationally in spring 2025 and for school-day testing in spring 2026.<ref name="changes">{{cite web | last=Godwin | first=Janet | title=The ACT Test Is Evolving | website=ACT | date=2024-07-15 | url=https://leadershipblog.act.org/2024/07/test-enhancements.html?m=1 | access-date=2024-11-01}}</ref>

[[File:Historical Number of SAT and ACT Test Takers.svg|thumb|Historical Number of SAT and ACT Test Takers]]

The ACT has seen a gradual increase in the number of test takers since its inception, and in 2012 the ACT surpassed the SAT for the first time in total test takers; that year, 1,666,017 students took the ACT and 1,664,479 students took the SAT.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/sat-scores-edge-down-act-now-more-popular-150110664.html |publisher=Yahoo News |title=SAT scores edge down; ACT now more popular exam|last=Pope|first=Justin|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=Associated Press|access-date=June 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110024711/https://news.yahoo.com/sat-scores-edge-down-act-now-more-popular-150110664.html |archive-date= Nov 10, 2013 }}</ref>

==Function==
ACT, Inc., says that the ACT assessment measures high school students' general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work with the [[multiple choice]] tests covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and (optionally) science.<ref name="ACT-2025" /> The optional Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.act.org/aap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060828142728/http://www.act.org/aap/ |archive-date=August 28, 2006 |access-date=June 5, 2007 |title=ACT Assessment |website=ACT }}</ref> Specifically, ACT states that its scores provide an indicator of "college readiness", and that scores in each of the subtests correspond to skills in [[Entry Level|entry-level]] college courses in English, algebra, social science, humanities, and biology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Using your ACT results |url=http://www.actstudent.org/pdf/uyar.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215085527/http://www.actstudent.org/pdf/uyar.pdf |archive-date=Feb 15, 2012 |website=ACT}}</ref> According to a research study conducted by ACT, Inc. in 2003, there was a relationship between a student's ACT composite score and the probability of that student earning a college degree.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Radunzal |first1=J. |last2=Noble |first2=J. |date=April 2012 |title=Tracking 2003 act-tested high school graduates: College readiness, enrollment, and long-term success |url=http://www.act.org/research/researchers/reports/pdf/ACT_RR2012-2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316154630/http://act.org/research/researchers/reports/pdf/ACT_RR2012-2.pdf |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |publisher=ACT }}</ref>

To develop the test, ACT incorporates the objectives for instruction from middle and high schools throughout the United States, reviews approved textbooks for subjects taught in Grades 7–12, and surveys educators on which knowledge skills are relevant to success in [[postsecondary education]]. ACT publishes a technical manual that summarizes studies conducted on its validity in predicting freshman GPA, equating different high school GPAs, and measuring educational achievement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2022 |title=ACT Technical Manual |url=https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT_Technical_Manual.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004214546/https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT_Technical_Manual.pdf |archive-date=Oct 4, 2023 |website=ACT}}</ref>

Colleges use the ACT and the SAT because there are substantial differences in funding, curricula, grading, and difficulty among U.S. secondary schools due to American [[federalism]], local control, the prevalence of private, distance, [[Homeschooling in the United States|homeschooled]] students, and lack of a rigorous college entrance examination system similar those used in some other countries. ACT scores are used to supplement the secondary school record and help admission officers put local data—such as coursework, grades, and class rank—in a national perspective.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.conejousd.org/centuryacademy/Students/Counseling/PathwaytoaFourYearCollege/SATACTInformation.aspx|title=SAT/ACT Information |website=Century Academy High School |publisher=Conejo Valley Unified School District  |language=en-US|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817011552/http://www.conejousd.org/centuryacademy/Students/Counseling/PathwaytoaFourYearCollege/SATACTInformation.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

The majority of colleges do not indicate a preference for the SAT or ACT exams and accept both, being treated equally by most admissions officers.<ref name="uniintheusa.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.uniintheusa.com/how-why/us-extrance-exams/1438/a-word-about-the-act-test |title= A Word About the ACT Test  |publisher=Uni in the USA |access-date=October 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020071203/http://www.uniintheusa.com/how-why/us-extrance-exams/1438/a-word-about-the-act-test |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to "[[Uni in the USA]]", colleges that also require students to take the [[SAT Subject Tests]] do so regardless of whether the candidate took the SAT or ACT;<ref name="uniintheusa.com"/> however, some colleges accept the ACT in place of the SAT subject tests<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/act-sat-subject-tests-no-_b_5665980.html |work=Huffington Post |title=ACT? SAT? Subject Tests? No Tests? Holy Moly! Who Is Requiring What These Days? |date=August 11, 2014}}</ref> and some accept the optional ACT Writing section in place of an SAT Subject Test.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catestutoring.com/test-preparation/tests/sat-vs-act-nyc.html |title=SAT vs. ACT – Test Prep Tutoring & Classes – NYC, NY |publisher=CATES Tutoring and Educational Services |access-date=October 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016222951/http://www.catestutoring.com/test-preparation/tests/sat-vs-act-nyc.html |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Most colleges use ACT scores as only one factor in the admission process. A sampling of ACT admissions scores shows that the 75th percentile composite score was 24.1 at public four-year institutions and 25.3 at private four-year institutions.

In addition, some states and individual school districts have used the ACT to assess student learning and/or the performance of schools, requiring all high school students to take the ACT, regardless of whether they are college bound. [[Colorado]] and [[Illinois]] were the first to incorporate the ACT as part of their mandatory testing program in 2001. Other states followed suit in subsequent years. During the 2018–2019 school year, 13 states will administer the ACT test to all public school 11th graders, and another six states will fund ACT test administration as an option or choice for districts.

While the exact manner in which ACT scores will help to determine admission of a student at American institutions of higher learning is generally a matter decided by the individual institution, some foreign countries have made ACT (and SAT) scores a legal criterion in deciding whether holders of American high school diplomas will be admitted at their public universities.

[[File:SAT-ACT-Preference-Map.svg|thumb|This map of the United States shows the states in which more seniors in the class of 2024 took the [[SAT]] than the ACT (colored in blue), and the states in which more seniors took the ACT than the [[SAT]] (colored in red).]]
The ACT is more widely used in the [[Midwest]]ern, [[Rocky Mountain]], and [[Southern United States]], whereas the SAT is more popular on the [[East Coast of the United States|East]] and [[West Coast of the United States|West]] coasts. Recently, however, the ACT is being used more on the East Coast.<ref name=EducationWeek>{{cite journal
 | last = Honawar
 | first = Vaishali
 |author2= Alyson Klein
 | date = August 30, 2006
 | title = ACT Scores Improve; More on East Coast Taking the SAT's Rival
 | journal = Education Week <!-- this is not technically a journal, but the template is more useful than {{citation}} -->
 | volume = 26
 | issue = 1
 | pages = 16
 | issn = 0277-4232
 | url = http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=13&hid=3&sid=9abe575c-3a5a-4263-a87e-c4de433025c4%40SRCSM1
 | url-access=subscription
 | access-date =July 6, 2007
 | quote = Beginning in 2013, all freshman entering high school in the state of [[Ohio]] must take the test in order to graduate.
 }}</ref> Use of the ACT by colleges has risen as a result of various criticisms of the effectiveness and fairness of the SAT.

==Format==
The required portion of the ACT is divided into three multiple-choice subject tests: [[English studies|English]], [[mathematics]], and [[Reading (process)|reading]]. Subject test scores, including the optional [[science]] section, range from 1 to 36; all scores are [[integers]]. The English, mathematics, and reading tests also have subscores ranging from 1 to 18 (the subject score is not the sum of the subscores). In addition, students taking the optional writing test receive a writing score ranging from 2 to 12 (this is a change from the previous 1–36 score range); the optional science and writing scores do not affect the composite score. Prior to September 2015, there was a Combined English/Writing score, which was a 36-point combination of the 36-point English Test score and the 12-point Writing subscore.<ref>{{cite web |title=Writing Test Scores |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/writing-test-scores.html |website=ACT |access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref> The ACT has eliminated the Combined English/writing score and has added two new combined scores: ELA (an average of the English, Reading, and Writing scores) and STEM (an average of the Math and Science scores).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.act.org/actnext/faq.html|title=What's Next for the ACT – Test Updates and Enhancements|access-date=July 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729083221/http://www.act.org/actnext/faq.html|archive-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="actstudent.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/writing/writing-scores.html|title=The ACT Test for Students|website=ACT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217162357/http://www.actstudent.org/writing/writing-scores.html|archive-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> These changes for the writing, ELA, and STEM scores were effective starting with the September 2015 test.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.act.org/newsroom/act-will-offer-enhancements-to-act-test-to-improve-readiness-and-help-students-plan-for-success/|title=Newsroom – Press Kit, Digital Media Library, and Press Releases|access-date=July 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729055656/http://www.act.org/newsroom/act-will-offer-enhancements-to-act-test-to-improve-readiness-and-help-students-plan-for-success/|archive-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Each question answered correctly is worth one raw point, and there is no penalty for marking incorrect answers on the multiple-choice parts of the test; a student can answer all questions without a decrease in their score due to incorrect answers. This is parallel to several AP Tests eliminating the penalties for incorrect answers. To improve the result, students can retake the test: 55% of students who retake the ACT improve their scores, 22% score the same, and 23% see their scores decrease.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/regist/retake.html|title=The ACT-Getting Ready for Test Day}}</ref>

===English===
The first section is the 45-minute English test covering [[usage]]/mechanics, [[sentence structure]], and [[rhetoric]]al skills. The 75-question test consists of five passages with various sections underlined on one side of the page and options to correct the underlined portions on the other side of the page. Specifically, questions focus on usage and mechanics – issues such as commas, apostrophes, (misplaced/dangling) modifiers, colons, and fragments and run-ons – as well as on rhetorical skills – style (clarity and brevity), strategy, transitions, and organization (sentences in a paragraph and paragraphs in a passage) – and sentence structure – constructing sentences in a stylistically and [[Grammar|grammatically]] correct manner.

===Math===
The second section is a 60-minute, 60-question math test with the usual distribution of questions being approximately 14 covering [[pre-algebra]], 10 elementary [[algebra]], 9 intermediate algebra, 14 [[Euclidean geometry|plane geometry]], 9 [[coordinate geometry]], and 4 elementary [[trigonometry]] questions.<ref>{{cite book |author= Geoff Martz |title= Cracking The ACT |edition= 2007 |publisher= The Princeton Review |isbn= 978-0-375-76585-8 |pages= 94 |chapter= Chapter 10 |author2=Kim Magloire |author3=Theodore Silver. |year= 2007}}</ref> However, the distribution of question topics varies from test to test. The difficulty of questions usually increases as a test taker moves on to higher question numbers. Calculators are permitted in this section only. Similarly to the SAT, [[computer algebra system]]s (such as the [[TI-89]]) are not allowed;<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT Calculator Policy |url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/calculator-policy |website=SAT Suite |publisher=College Board |access-date=9 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref> however, the ACT permits [[adding machine|calculators with paper tapes]], that make noise (but must be disabled), or that have power cords with certain "modifications" (i.e., disabling the mentioned features), which the SAT does not allow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html |title=ACT FAQ: Can I use a calculator? |access-date=September 8, 2007 |publisher=ACT Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820161453/http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html |archive-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Standard [[graphing calculator]]s, such as the TI-83 and TI-84, are allowed. Within the [[TI-Nspire]] family, the standard and CX versions are allowed while the CX CAS is not.<ref>{{cite web|title=ACT Calculator Policy |publisher=ACT Education Corp. |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-day/calculator-policy.html |accessdate=November 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011004728/https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-day/calculator-policy.html | archive-date=October 11, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of April 2025 for online tests, and September 2025 for paper-and-pencil tests, each math question has four answer choices instead of five.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Godwin |first1=Janet |title=ACT Test Enhancements & Changes |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/enhancements.html |website=ACT |access-date=10 June 2025}}</ref>

===Reading===

The reading section is a 35-minute, 40-question test that consists of four sections, three of which contain one long prose passage and one which contains two shorter prose passages. The passages are representative of the levels and kinds of text commonly encountered in first-year college [[curriculum]]. This reading test assesses skills in three general categories: key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas. Test questions will usually ask students to derive meaning from texts referring to what is explicitly stated or by reasoning to determine implicit meanings. Specifically, questions will ask students to use referring and reasoning skills to determine main ideas; locate and interpret significant details; understand sequences of events; make comparisons; comprehend cause-effect relationships; determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements; draw generalizations; and analyze the author's or narrator's voice and method.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/description-of-reading-test.html|title=Description of Reading Test|website=ACT|language=en|access-date=2017-08-18}}</ref>

===Science===
The optional science section is a 35-minute, 40-question test. There are seven passages each followed by five to seven questions. The passages have three different formats: Data Representation, Research Summary, and Conflicting Viewpoints. While the format used to be very predictable (i.e. there were always three Data Representation passages with 5 questions following each, 3 Research Summary passages with six questions each, and one Conflicting Viewpoints passage with 7 questions),<ref>{{cite book |author= Geoff Martz|title= Cracking The ACT |edition= 2007 |publisher= The Princeton Review|isbn= 978-0-375-76585-8|pages=307|chapter= Chapter 20 |author2= Kim Magloire|author3=Theodore Silver. |year= 2007}}</ref> when the number of passages was reduced from 7 to 6, more variability in the number of each passage type started to appear. But so far, there is still always only one Conflicting Viewpoints passage. These changes are very recent, and the only reference to them so far is in the recently released practice test on the ACT website.<ref>{{cite web|title=Preparing for the ACT Test |publisher=ACT, Inc. |url=https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf |accessdate=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311223355/https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=March 11, 2022 }}</ref>

The science section was mandatory until 2024, when it was made optional with the goal of giving students additional flexibility when taking the ACT exam.<ref name="ACT Science Section Now Optional">{{cite web |title=The ACT Test Is Evolving |url=https://leadershipblog.act.org/2024/07/test-enhancements.html#:~:text=The%20new%20core%20test%20willto%20answer%20each%20question%20thoughtfully |website=ACT |publisher=ACT Newsroom and Blog |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref>

===Writing===
The optional writing section, which is always administered at the end of the test, is 40 minutes (increasing from the original 30-minute time limit on the September 2015 test). While no particular '''essay structure''' is required, the essays must be in response to a given prompt; the prompts are about broad social issues (changing from the old prompts which were directly applicable to teenagers), and students must analyze three different perspectives given and show how their opinion relates to these perspectives. The essay does not affect the composite score or the English section score; it is only given as a separate writing score and is included in the ELA score. Two trained readers assign each essay subscores between 1 and 6 in four different categories: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, Language Use and Conventions. Scores of 0 are reserved for essays that are blank, off-topic, non-English, not written with a no. 2 pencil, or considered illegible after several attempts at reading. The subscores from the two different readers are summed to produce final domain scores from 2 to 12 (or 0) in each of the four categories. If the two readers' subscores differ by more than one point, then a senior third reader makes the final decision on the score. The four domain scores are combined through a process that has not been described to create a writing section score between 1 and 36. Note that the domain scores are not added to create the writing section score.<ref name="actstudent.org"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actstudent.org/writing/|title=The ACT Test for Students|website=ACT|access-date=July 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809072145/http://www.actstudent.org/writing/|archive-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 
Although the writing section is optional, many colleges require an essay score and will factor it into the admissions decision (but fewer than half of all colleges have this requirement).<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Cavner |url=http://acceptedtocollege.com/tests/satoract/ |title=Comparison Between the SAT and ACT: Requirements differences between the two college admissions standardized tests |access-date=February 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215071919/http://acceptedtocollege.com/tests/satoract/ |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Averages===
[[File:Historical Average ACT Scores.svg|thumb|400px|alt=A chart of average ACT scores since 1970.|Historical average ACT scores of college-bound seniors]]
[[File:Average ACT Composite Scores by State (2014).pdf|thumb|400px|This map shows the mean ACT composite scores of students within the United States in 2014.]]

For the "enhanced" version of the ACT introduced in 1989, the mean score of each of the four tests, as well as the mean composite score, was scaled to be 18, with an intended [[standard error|standard error of measurement]] of 2 for the four test scores and 1 for the composite score.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED338714.pdf |title=Preliminary Technical Manual for the Enhanced ACT Assessment |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=October 1989 |website=Education Resources Information Center |page=28 |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=June 27, 2021 }}</ref> These statistics vary from year to year for current populations of ACT takers.

The chart below summarizes each section and the average test score based on graduating high school seniors in 2024.<ref name=NationalReport>{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/2024-act-national-graduating-class-profile-report.pdf |title=The ACT Profile Report – National, Graduating Class 2024|access-date=February 8, 2025 |publisher=ACT, Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/descriptions/index.html |title=ACT Prep:Description of the ACT Assessment |access-date=June 29, 2007 |publisher=ACT Inc. |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070630071223/http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/descriptions/index.html| archive-date=June 30, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
 ! Section !! Number of questions !! Time (minutes) !! Score Range !! Average score (2024) !! College Readiness Benchmark !!Content
 |-
 | English || 75 || 45 || 1–36 || 18.6 || 18||Usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills
 |-
 | Mathematics || 60 || 60 || 1–36 || 19.0 || 22||Pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, geometry, elementary trigonometry, reasoning, and problem-solving
 |-
 | Reading || 40 || 35 || 1–36 || 20.1 || 22||Reading comprehension
 |-
 | Optional Science || 40 || 35 || 1–36 || 19.6 || 23||Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving
 |-
 | Optional Writing Test (not included in composite score) || 1 essay prompt || 40 || 1–12 || 6.1 || ||Writing skills
 |-
 | Composite ||  ||  || 1–36 || 19.4 ||  || Average (mean) of all section scores except Writing
 |}

===Highest score===
[[File:Percent ACT Composite Scores of 36.svg|thumb|400px|Percent of high school seniors scoring a composite of 36 on their ACT test from 1997 to 2024]]
The table below summarizes how many students achieved a composite score of 36 on the ACT between the years of 1997 and 2024.<ref name="a1">{{cite web |url=http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/ |title=The ACT® Data |access-date=September 15, 2011 |publisher=ACT Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173540/http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/ |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="a4">{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/research/reports/act-publications.html |access-date=December 19, 2021 |title=ACT Research Publications |publisher=ACT, Inc.}}</ref><ref name="a3">{{cite web |url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/university-school-students-receive-perfect-act-score/ |title=University School student receives perfect ACT score |access-date=December 19, 2021 |publisher=Nextstar Media |website=WJHL News Channel 11}}</ref><ref name=NationalReport />

{| class="wikitable sortable"
 ! Year !! Number of students who achieved a composite score of 36 !! Number of students overall!! % of students who achieved a 36
|- align="center"
 | 2024 || 3,041 || 1,374,791 || 0.2212
|- align="center"
 | 2023 || 2,542 || 1,386,335 || 0.1834
|- align="center"
 | 2022 || 3,376 || 1,349,644 || 0.2501
|- align="center"
 | 2021 || 4,055 || 1,295,349 || 0.3130
|- align="center"
 | 2020 || 5,579 || 1,670,497 || 0.3340
|- align="center"
 | 2019 || 4,879 || 1,782,820 || 0.2737
|- align="center"
 | 2018 || 3,741 || 1,914,817 || 0.1954
|- align="center"
 | 2017 || 2,760 || 2,030,038 || 0.1359
|- align="center"
 | 2016 || 2,235 || 2,090,342 || 0.1069
|- align="center"
 | 2015 || 1,598 || 1,924,436 || 0.0830
|- align="center"
 | 2014 || 1,407 || 1,845,787 || 0.07622
 |- align="center"
 | 2013 || 1,162 || 1,799,243 || 0.06458
 |- align="center"
 | 2012 || 781 || 1,666,017 || 0.04687
 |- align="center"
 | 2011 || 704 || 1,623,112 || 0.04337
 |- align="center"
 | 2010 || 588 || 1,568,835 || 0.03748
 |- align="center"
 | 2009 || 638 || 1,480,469 || 0.04309
 |- align="center"
 | 2008 || 428 || 1,421,941 || 0.03010
 |- align="center"
 | 2007 || 314 || 1,300,599 || 0.02414
 |- align="center"
 | 2006 || 216 || 1,206,455 || 0.01790
 |- align="center"
 | 2005 || 193 || 1,186,251 || 0.01627
 |- align="center"
 | 2004 || 224 || 1,171,460 || 0.01912
 |- align="center"
 | 2003 || 195 || 1,175,059 || 0.01659
 |- align="center"
 | 2002 || 134 || 1,116,082 || 0.01201
 |- align="center"
 | 2001 || 89 || 1,069,772 || 0.00832
 |- align="center"
 | 2000 || 131 || 1,065,138 || 0.01230
 |- align="center"
 | 1999 || 85 || 1,019,053 || 0.00834
 |- align="center"
 | 1998 || 71 || 995,039 || 0.00714
 |- align="center"
 | 1997 || 74 || 959,301 || 0.00771
|}

===College admissions===

The ACT Assessment Student Report, at ACT.org, provides the typical ACT Composite averages for college and universities admission policies. They caution that "because admission policies vary across colleges, the score ranges should be considered rough guidelines." Following is a list of the average composite scores that typically are accepted at colleges or universities.<ref>American College Test INC. (ACT). Research and Policy Issues-Information Brief 2002–1. (n.d.). "Interpreting act assessment scores: College admissions." Retrieved October 8, 2012, from http://www.act.org/research/researchers/briefs/2002-1.html#UItAIYq5fw {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120003359/http://www.act.org/research/researchers/briefs/2002-1.html#UItAIYq5fw |date=January 20, 2013 }}</ref>
* '''[[Ivy League|Ivy]] Caliber''' (Schools that as a [[rule of thumb]] have below a 1 in 8 acceptance rate): scores '''32–36'''
* '''Highly selective''' (majority of accepted freshmen in top 10% of high school graduating class): scores '''27–31'''
* '''Selective''' (majority of accepted freshmen in top 25% of high school graduating class): scores '''24–26'''
* '''Traditional''' (majority of accepted freshmen in top 50% of high school graduating class): scores '''21–23'''
* '''Liberal''' (some freshmen from lower half of high school graduating class): scores '''18–20'''
* '''Open''' (all high school graduates accepted, to limit of capacity): scores '''17–20 ''' Any score is likely accepted.

==Test availability==
The ACT is offered seven times a year in the United States and its territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada: in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. (In New York State, the test is not offered in July.) In other locations, the ACT is offered five times a year: in September, October, December, April, and June.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html#dates |title=Registration – The ACT Test |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref> The ACT is offered only on Saturdays except for those with credible religious obligations, who may take the test on another day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/help.html |title=The ACT Test Help and Frequently Asked Questions – Is Non-Saturday Testing Available? |publisher=ACT, Inc. |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627021201/https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/help.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ACT is designed, administered, and scored so that there is no advantage to testing on one particular date.<ref>American College Test INC. (ACT), Research and Policy Issues-Information Brief (2001). "Facts about scoring the act assessment". Retrieved October 8, 2012, from http://www.act.org/research/researchers/briefs/2001-1.html#UIX3TYYq5fw {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120003346/http://www.act.org/research/researchers/briefs/2001-1.html#UIX3TYYq5fw |date=January 20, 2013 }}</ref>

For candidates in the United States, the ACT assessment costs $65.00 and there are two optional add-ons, the science section ($4.00) and the writing section ($25.00).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Current ACT Fees and Services |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/fees.html |access-date=June 24, 2025}}</ref>

For candidates outside of the United States, the test costs considerably more, at $186.50, with science costing $10.00, although writing retains its price of $25.00.<ref>{{cite web |title=Current ACT Fees and Services (global) |url=https://global.act.org/content/global/en/products-and-services/the-act-non-us/registration/fees.html |access-date=June 24, 2025}}</ref> <!-- As of the 2024–2025 school year -->

For the 2025 testing dates, the science section is only optional for the digital test.<ref name=":0" />

Students with verifiable disabilities, including physical and learning disabilities, are eligible to take the test with accommodations. The standard time increase for students requiring additional time due to disabilities is 50%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html |title=ACT Services for Students with Disabilities |access-date=September 8, 2007 |publisher=ACT Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822214129/http://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Originally, the score sheet was labeled that additional time was granted due to a learning disability; however, this was ultimately dropped because it was deemed illegal under the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act]] and could be perceived as an unfair designator of disability.

Scores are sent to the student, their high school, and up to four colleges of the student's choice (optional).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actstudent.org/scores/reporting.html |title=ACT Score Information: ACT Score Report Descriptions |access-date=June 29, 2007 |publisher=ACT Inc.| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070711124811/http://www.actstudent.org/scores/reporting.html| archive-date= July 11, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Test section durations==
Time is a major factor to consider in testing.

The ACT is generally regarded as being composed of somewhat easier questions versus the [[SAT]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icon-plus.com/news-and-media/blog/act/act-versus-sat-popular-doesnt-mean-better |title=ACT Versus SAT: Popular Doesn't Mean Better |website=www.icon-plus.com |language=en |access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>{{citation needed|reason=Who generally regards this to be true?|date=March 2016}}, but the shorter time allotted to complete each section increases difficulty. The ACT allows:
* 45 minutes for a 75-question English section
* 60 minutes for a 60-question Mathematics section
* 35 minutes for a 40-question Reading section
* 35 minutes for a 40-question Science section

Comparatively, the SAT is structured such that the test taker is allowed at least one minute per question, on generally shorter sections (25 or fewer questions). Times may be adjusted as a matter of accommodation for certain disabilities or other impairments.

== National ranks (score cumulative percentages) ==

Score reports provided to students taking the ACT test include the ranks (or cumulative percents) for each score and subscore received by the student. Each rank gives the percentage of recently tested students in the U.S. who scored at or below the given student's score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/national-ranks.html |title=ACT National Ranks |publisher=ACT, Inc. |accessdate=July 25, 2021}}</ref> The following table shows the ACT national ranks {{As of|alt=as of the 2020-21 school year |2021 |post=.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/MultipleChoiceStemComposite.pdf |title=National Norms for ACT Test Scores  |publisher=ACT, Inc. |accessdate=July 25, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
 ! ACT Score !! English Rank !! Math Rank !! Reading Rank !! Science Rank !! Composite Rank !! STEM Rank
 |-
 | 36 || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100 || 100
 |-
 | 35 || 99 || 99 || 98 || 99 || 99 || 99
 |-
 | 34 || 96 || 99 || 96 || 98 || 99 || 99
 |-
 | 33 || 94 || 98 || 94 || 97 || 98 || 98
 |-
 | 32 || 92 || 97 || 91 || 96 || 96 || 97
 |-
 | 31 || 91 || 96 || 89 || 95 || 95 || 96
 |-
 | 30 || 89 || 94 || 86 || 93 || 93 || 94
 |-
 | 29 || 88 || 93 || 84 || 92 || 90 || 92
 |-
 | 28 || 86 || 91 || 82 || 90 || 88 || 90
 |-
 | 27 || 84 || 88 || 80 || 88 || 85 || 87
 |-
 | 26 || 82 || 84 || 77 || 85 || 82 || 84
 |-
 | 25 || 79 || 79 || 74 || 82 || 78 || 80
 |-
 | 24 || 75 || 74 || 71 || 77 || 74 || 75
 |-
 | 23 || 71 || 70 || 66 || 71 || 70 || 70
 |-
 | 22 || 65 || 65 || 61 || 64 || 64 || 65
 |-
 | 21 || 60 || 61 || 55 || 58 || 59 || 60
 |-
 | 20 || 55 || 58 || 50 || 51 || 53 || 54
 |-
 | 19 || 49 || 54 || 44 || 45 || 47 || 48
 |-
 | 18 || 45 || 49 || 39 || 39 || 41 || 41
 |-
 | 17 || 41 || 42 || 34 || 32 || 35 || 33
 |-
 | 16 || 37 || 33 || 29 || 26 || 28 || 26
 |-
 | 15 || 32 || 21 || 24 || 19 || 22 || 18
 |-
 | 14 || 25 || 11 || 19 || 14 || 16 || 11
 |-
 | 13 || 19 || 4 || 14 || 10 || 10 || 5
 |-
 | 12 || 15 || 1 || 10 || 7 || 5 || 2
 |-
 | 11 || 11 || 1 || 5 || 4 || 2 || 1
 |-
 | 10 || 7 || 1 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 9 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 8 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 7 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 6 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 5 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 4 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |-
 | 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 |}

==Concordance of ACT Scores and SAT Scores==

The [[College Board]] (the developer of the SAT) and ACT, Inc. compared scores from about 600,000 students who were graduating in 2017 and who took both the SAT (2016 revision) and the ACT in 2016 and 2017. The following table shows, for each ACT composite score in the data set, the corresponding range of SAT total scores for students with the same percentile rank on each test. The most appropriate corresponding SAT score point for the given ACT score is also shown in the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-SAT-Concordance-Information.pdf |title=Guide to the 2018 ACT/SAT Concordance |publisher=College Board and ACT, Inc. |accessdate=November 26, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
 ! ACT Composite Score !! SAT Total Score Range !! SAT Total Score
 |-
 | 36 || 1570{{endash}}1600 || 1590
 |-
 | 35 || 1530{{endash}}1560 || 1540 
 |-
 | 34 || 1490{{endash}}1520 || 1500
 |-
 | 33 || 1450{{endash}}1480 || 1460
 |-
 | 32 || 1420{{endash}}1440 || 1430
 |-
 | 31 || 1390{{endash}}1410 || 1400
 |-
 | 30 || 1360{{endash}}1380 || 1370
 |-
 | 29 || 1330{{endash}}1350 || 1340
 |-
 | 28 || 1300{{endash}}1320 || 1310
 |-
 | 27 || 1260{{endash}}1290 || 1280
 |-
 | 26 || 1230{{endash}}1250 || 1240
 |-
 | 25 || 1200{{endash}}1220 || 1210
 |-
 | 24 || 1160{{endash}}1190 || 1180
 |-
 | 23 || 1130{{endash}}1150 || 1140
 |-
 | 22 || 1100{{endash}}1120 || 1110
 |-
 | 21 || 1060{{endash}}1090 || 1080
 |-
 | 20 || 1030{{endash}}1050 || 1040
 |-
 | 19 || 990{{endash}}1020 || 1010
 |-
 | 18 || 960{{endash}}980 || 970
 |-
 | 17 || 920{{endash}}950 || 930
 |-
 | 16 || 880{{endash}}910 || 890
 |-
 | 15 || 830{{endash}}870 || 850
 |-
 | 14 || 780{{endash}}820 || 800
 |-
 | 13 || 730{{endash}}770 || 760
 |-
 | 12 || 690{{endash}}720 || 710
 |-
 | 11 || 650{{endash}}680 || 670
 |-
 | 10 || 620{{endash}}640 || 630
 |-
 | 9 || 590{{endash}}610 || 590
|}

==Score cumulative percentages and comparison with pre-2016 SAT==
The data in this section pertains to the SAT prior to the 2016 redesign. Comparisons to SAT scores are not valid after the 2017 graduating class.

Sixty percent—about 2.03 million students—of the 2017 high school graduating class took the ACT. For the graduating class of 2017, the average composite score was a 21.0. Of these test-takers, 46% were male and 52% were female, with 2% not reporting a gender. 2,760 students in the graduating class of 2017 received the highest ACT composite score of 36.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.act.org/content/act/en/research/condition-of-college-and-career-readiness-2017.html |title=Condition of College and Career Readiness 2017 |access-date=November 18, 2017 |publisher=ACT Inc. }}</ref>
[[Image:actgraph.jpg|thumb|right|350px|2005 distribution of ACT scores]]

The following chart shows, for each ACT score from 11 to 36, the corresponding ACT percentile and equivalent total SAT score or score range.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/higher-ed-brief-sat-concordance.pdf | title=Higher Ed Brief: SAT Concordance |access-date=November 18, 2017 |publisher=College Board }}</ref>{{Not in refs|date=September 2019}} (Concordance data for ACT scores less than 11 is not yet available for the current version of the SAT.) Note that ACT percentiles are defined as the percentage of test takers scoring at or below the given score.
 {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 ! SAT combined score (Math + Reading/Writing) 
 ! ACT composite score
 ! The percentile of students at or below this score for the ACT (not SAT)
 |-
 | 1600|| 36 || 100%
 |-
 | 1560–1590|| 35 || 99.9%
 |-
 | 1520–1550|| 34 || 99%
 |-
 | 1490–1510|| 33 || 98%
 |-
 | 1450–1480|| 32 || 97%
 |-
 | 1420–1440|| 31 || 96%
 |-
 | 1390–1410|| 30 || 94%
 |-
 | 1350–1380|| 29 || 92%
 |-
 | 1310–1340|| 28 || 89%
 |-
 | 1280–1300|| 27 || 86%
 |-
 | 1240–1270|| 26 || 82%
 |-
 | 1200–1230|| 25 || 78%
 |-
 | 1160–1190|| 24 || 74%
 |-
 | 1130–1150|| 23 || 69%
 |-
 | 1100–1120|| 22 || 63%
 |-
 | 1060–1090|| 21 || 57%
 |-
 | 1020–1050|| 20 || 51%
 |-
 | 980–1010|| 19 || 44%
 |-
 | 940–970|| 18 || 38%
 |-
 | 900–930|| 17 || 31%
 |-
 | 860–890|| 16 || 25%
 |-
 | 810–850|| 15 || 19%
 |-
 | 760–800|| 14 || 13%
 |-
 | 720–750|| 13 || 8%
 |-
 | 630–710|| 12 || 4%
 |-
 | 560–620|| 11 || 1%
 |}

=== Score vs Percentile for English Section ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 ! Score
 ! The percentile of students 
at or below this score
 |-
| 36 || 100%
 |-
| 35 || 99%
 |-
| 34 || 99%
 |-
| 33 || 97%
 |-
| 32 || 96%
 |-
| 31 || 94%
 |-
| 30 || 93%
 |-
| 29 || 91%
 |-
| 28 || 88%
 |-
| 27 || 85%
 |-
| 26 || 82%
 |-
| 25 || 78%
 |-
| 24 || 73%
 |-
| 23 || 68%
 |-
| 22 || 63%
 |-
| 21 || 57%
 |-
| 20 || 50%
 |-
| 19 || 43%
 |-
| 18 || 38%
 |-
| 17 || 33%
 |-
| 16 || 29%
 |-
| 15 || 24%
 |-
| 14 || 18%
 |-
| 13 || 14%
 |-
| 12 || 11%
 |-
| 11 || 9%
 |}

=== Score vs Percentile for Mathematics Section ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 ! Score
 ! The percentile of students 
at or below this score
 |-
| 36 || 99%
 |-
| 35 || 99%
 |-
| 34 || 99%
 |-
| 33 || 98%
 |-
| 32 || 97%
 |-
| 31 || 96%
 |-
| 30 || 94%
 |-
| 29 || 93%
 |-
| 28 || 91%
 |-
| 27 || 88%
 |-
| 26 || 84%
 |-
| 25 || 79%
 |-
| 24 || 74%
 |-
| 23 || 67%
 |-
| 22 || 61%
 |-
| 21 || 57%
 |-
| 20 || 52%
 |-
| 19 || 47%
 |-
| 18 || 41%
 |-
| 17 || 34%
 |-
| 16 || 26%
 |-
| 15 || 14%
 |-
| 14 || 6%
 |-
| 13 || 2%
 |-
| 12 || 1%
 |-
| 11 || 1%
 |}

=== Score vs Percentile for Reading Section ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" 
 ! Score
 ! The percentile of students 
at or below this score
 |-
| 36 || 99%
 |-
| 35 || 99%
 |-
| 34 || 99%
 |-
| 33 || 97%
 |-
| 32 || 95%
 |-
| 31 || 93%
 |-
| 30 || 91%
 |-
| 29 || 87%
 |-
| 28 || 85%
 |-
| 27 || 82%
 |-
| 26 || 78%
 |-
| 25 || 75%
 |-
| 24 || 71%
 |-
| 23 || 66%
 |-
| 22 || 60%
 |-
| 21 || 54%
 |-
| 20 || 48%
 |-
| 19 || 42%
 |-
| 18 || 39%
 |-
| 17 || 30%
 |-
| 16 || 25%
 |-
| 15 || 19%
 |-
| 14 || 15%
 |-
| 13 || 10%
 |-
| 12 || 6%
 |-
| 11 || 3%
 |}

=== Score vs Percentile for Science Section ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 ! Score
 ! The percentile of students 
at or below this score
 |-
| 36 || 99%
 |-
| 35 || 99%
 |-
| 34 || 99%
 |-
| 33 || 99%
 |-
| 32 || 98%
 |-
| 31 || 97%
 |-
| 30 || 96%
 |-
| 29 || 95%
 |-
| 28 || 93%
 |-
| 27 || 91%
 |-
| 26 || 87%
 |-
| 25 || 83%
 |-
| 24 || 77%
 |-
| 23 || 70%
 |-
| 22 || 62%
 |-
| 21 || 56%
 |-
| 20 || 47%
 |-
| 19 || 38%
 |-
| 18 || 34%
 |-
| 17 || 21%
 |-
| 16 || 19%
 |-
| 15 || 15%
 |-
| 14 || 11%
 |-
| 13 || 8%
 |-
| 12 || 5%
 |-
| 11 || 3%
 |}
Sources:<ref name="universityofcalifornia.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html |title=UC Admissions |access-date=2009-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420111808/http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html |archive-date=April 20, 2009 }} Univ. of California Eligibility by Examination Alone</ref>{{Not in refs|date=November 2021}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Education|Psychology|United States}}
* [[ACT (for-profit organization)#Other ACT programs]]
* [[College admissions in the United States]]
* [[Global Assessment Certificate]]
* [[List of admission tests to colleges and universities]]
* [[Math–verbal achievement gap]]
* [[PLAN (test)]]
* [[SAT]]
* [[2019 college admissions bribery scandal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.actstudent.org ACT Taker's Site]
* {{Official website|name=ACT Corporate Site}}

{{Admission tests}}
{{Glossaries of science and engineering}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Act (Test)}}
[[Category:Standardized tests in the United States]]
[[Category:1959 introductions]]