Akins' Guidance and Counseling Department
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. The ACT is administered on six test dates within the United States, U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over 4 hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).
What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.
The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. With the ACT, you only take the optional Writing Test if it is required by the college(s) you are applying to.
The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is based on on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for guessing.
The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.
For more information on, and to register for, the ACT, go to:
The information on this page came from the actstudent.org website