ACT/SAT Testing

What is the ACT?
The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions and scholarship decisions across the United States. It measures students' academic readiness for college with required English, Math, and Reading sections, and optional Science and Writing.

About the ACT
The ACT test measures a high school student's readiness for college by providing schools with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.

As part of the college admissions process, admissions officers will review your portfolio of documentation, including your test scores.

How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. You can confirm each college's admissions policies on the school website or on our school profiles.

Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

When should I take the ACT?
Most high school students take the ACT, SAT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college.

The ACT exam is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July.  View all upcoming ACT test dates below.

What is on the ACT?
There are three core ACT sections:  

• English
• Reading
• Math
• There are also two optional sections, Science and a 40-minute Writing Test.

How long is the ACT?
The time spent taking the ACT depends on how many sections you're taking.

• English - 35 minutes, 50 questions
• Math - 50 minutes, 45 questions
• Reading - 40 minutes, 36 questions
• Science (Optional) - 40 minutes, 40 questions
• Writing (Optional) - 40 minutes, 1 essay

Total time:
Core test (English, Math, Reading): 125 minutes
With Science: 165 minutes
With Writing: 165 minutes
With Science and Writing: 205 minutes
Short transition periods and breaks are included between sections, making the overall time at the test center slightly longer.

How is the ACT scored?
Understanding how the ACT is scored can help you set clear goals and track your progress. Here's a quick overview of how section scores, the Composite score, and superscoring work.

Section Scores: Each ACT section—English, Math, and Reading, and Science—is scored on a 1–36 scale.
Composite Score: The ACT Composite score is the average of your English, Math, and Reading scores. It ranges from 1 to 36.
Science Score: If you choose to take the optional Science section, it is scored separately and not included in your Composite score.
Average Score: The national average ACT score is 19.4.
Superscoring: Your ACT Superscore combines your highest English, Math, and Reading scores across multiple test dates to calculate the strongest possible Composite score.

How do I register for the ACT?
Register online at act.org.
Registration deadlines are typically about five weeks before each test date.

Register for the ACT on the ACT Website

Fee Waivers
Fee waivers take care of the registration fee for up to four tests and are available for students who qualify based on need. Check your eligibility status to see if you qualify.

Take a Free ACT Practice Test on the Princeton Review Website

ACT Quick Information

• Scores range from 1-36
• Tests take at least 2 hours and 55 minutes
• Offered digitally or paper
• Less time per question with shorter questions
• Topics include Reading, Writing, and Math with an optional Science and optional Essay
• Broader math topics range

Take the ACT if:

• You struggle with vocabulary
• You are great at timing on tests
• You dislike puzzles
• You are good at charts, graphs, and data.

What is the SAT?
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board. 

The SAT is used to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.

Overall, the higher you score on the SAT ( and/or ACT ), the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

When should I take the SAT?
Most high school students take the SAT, the ACT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The SAT exam is offered nationally every year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. View all upcoming SAT test dates below.

What is on the SAT?
There are two SAT sections, each with 2 modules:

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

• Module 1
• Module 2

Math

• Module 1
• Module 2

Within each module, you can move back and forth from question to question, but you can’t go back to a previous module. This is because the SAT is an adaptive test, meaning the second module in each section is determined by your performance in the first.

Learn More About the SAT Sections on the Princeton Review Website

How long is the SAT?
The SAT is 2 hours 14 minutes long broken down in the following way:

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

• Module 1: 32 minutes
• Module 2: 32 minutes
• Total Time: 64 minutes

Math

• Module 1: 35 minutes
• Module 2: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 70 minutes

How is the SAT scored?
Both sections of the SAT is are scored on a scale of 200 to 800 points scale. Your total SAT score is the sum of your section scores, making 1600 the highest possible SAT score.

How do I register for the SAT?
SAT registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each test date. Register online on the College Board website.

Register Online on the College Board Website

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other. The best way to decide if taking the SAT, ACT, or both tests is right for you is to take a timed  full-length practice SAT test and a full-length ACT practice test . Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit.

Take a Free SAT Practice Test on the Princeton Review Website

SAT Quick Information

• Scores range from 400-1600
• Tests take at most 2 hours and 14 minutes
• Offered digitally
• More time per question with longer questions
• Topics include Reading, Writing, and Math
• Strong focus on Algebra

Take the SAT if:

• You are great at vocabulary
• Have difficulty completing tests on time
• Enjoy puzzles
• Have difficulty with charts, graphs, and data