ACT/SAT Info

About the ACT Test

The ACT is a standardized test admissions officers use to compare applicants from different schools and different states. Here's a brief overview of the test.

ACT Quick Facts

Frequency	7 times/year
Duration	3 hours, 3 hours 40 minutes including essay
Sections	English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
Max. Score	36
Avg. Score	21

What is the ACT and why is it important?

Created by ACT Inc., the ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The idea (in theory, at least) is to provide colleges with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants. The weight placed on ACT scores varies from school to school. Other important factors that schools consider in their admissions decisions are your high school GPA, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, interviews and personal essays. For more specific information on the importance of ACT scores at the schools you're interested in, contact the admissions offices directly.

The ACT is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February, April, June and July.

What specifically does the ACT test?

The ACT has four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science, as well as an optional 40-minute writing test. Some schools may require the writing test, so be sure to ask before you take it.

How is the ACT scored?

You'll earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21. If, for example, you scored 31 on the English, 30 on the Math, 29 on the Reading and 30 on the Science, your composite ACT score would be 30.

The ACT includes an optional essay, known as the writing test. If you take the writing test, you will receive a writing test subscore and a combined English/writing score.

The ACT test is given for free twice a year during the school day. Students have the opportunity to take the exam during the spring of their Junior year and once during the fall of their Senior year*. The ACT test is a requirement for graduate.

*Senior test is subject to state funding

ACT benchmarks (English-18, Math-22, Reading-22, Science-23)

To receive an Honors Distinction, a student must have a 3.5 GPA and meet all ACT benchmarks above by the end of their 7th semester.

To register for a National ACT Exam visit www.act.org

ACT Toolkit

The SAT is an admission test accepted by all U.S. colleges, and the College Board has programs to encourage all students to take advantage of higher education. Income-eligible SAT takers receive college application fee waivers and all students can opt in to Student Search Service to receive free information about admission and financial aid from colleges, universities, and scholarship programs.

2022-23 SAT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

*- anticipated dates

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Online/Phone Late Registration Deadline
August 24, 2024	August 9, 2024	August 13, 2024
October 5, 2024	September 20, 2024	September 24, 2024
November 2, 2024	October 18, 2024	October 22, 2024
December 7, 2024	November 22, 2024	November 26, 2024
March 8, 2025	February 21, 2025	February 25, 2025
May 3, 2025	April 18, 2025	April 22, 2025
June 7, 2025	May 22, 2025	May 27, 2025
August 23, 2025*
October 4, 2025*
November 8, 2025*

For more information about the SAT or to register for the exam, please visit www.collegeboard.org

Test Prep:

Visit our Study and Learning Resources page under the Students tab.

https://cdhs.greenek12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1251619&type=d&pREC_ID=1476540