ACT Exam
The ACT Exam: Acadberry to Undergraduate Studies Abroad
Every year, high school students worldwide take the ACT exam to secure admission to undergraduate study programs, particularly in the USA and Canada. These countries are among the most sought-after destinations for studying abroad. Similar to the SAT, the ACT evaluates students for admission, but the two exams differ in their focus. While the SAT assesses verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, the ACT measures knowledge of core academic subjects, including Math, English, Science, and Reading.
Both exams offer an optional writing section, which requires extra time to complete.
Scholarships and ACT Advantages
A high ACT score can significantly enhance scholarship opportunities for Indian students aiming to study abroad. However, the availability and extent of scholarships depend on the specific university and undergraduate course.
The ACT is conducted six times a year in India, typically from September to July. Most Indian students prefer taking the exam in June or July during their summer vacations, allowing ample preparation time.
ACT Registration Process
The ACT is open to all students aged 13 and above who wish to apply for undergraduate courses abroad. While students in the US can register via the website or email, Indian students must apply online through the official ACT website.
Registration Guidelines:
- Students should register at least 2–3 months before their chosen exam date.
- Late registrations incur an additional fee of $21.
Steps for Registration:
- Visit www.actstudent.org.
- Provide basic information during the registration process.
- Pay the exam fee and select your preferred test date and center.
Fees:
- Without Writing Section: $34
- With Writing Section: $49.50
- Additional Score Reports: $10 per college (beyond the four included).
Result Timeline:
- ACT without Writing: Results are available within two weeks.
- ACT with Writing: Additional two weeks are required for the essay evaluation. Results from both sections are sent together to selected colleges.
ACT Exam Pattern
The ACT comprises four main sections—English, Math, Science, and Reading—with an optional Writing section.
Overview:
- Total Duration: 2 hours 55 minutes (without Writing).
- Total Questions: 215 multiple-choice questions.
- Scoring: Each section is graded on a scale of 1–36, with the final score being the average of all sections.
If you opt for the Writing section, an additional 40 minutes is allotted. The Writing score is reported separately and does not contribute to the composite ACT score.
Section Breakdown:
- English
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Questions: 75 multiple-choice
- Focus: Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills
- Math
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Questions: 60 multiple-choice
- Topics Covered: Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
- Reading
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Questions: 40 multiple-choice
- Sections: Passages on Natural Sciences, Humanities, Prose Fiction, and Social Studies
- Science
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Questions: 40 multiple-choice
- Topics: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth/Space Sciences
- Writing (Optional)
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Task: Respond to prompts by evaluating perspectives, expressing your viewpoint, and relating it to the given perspectives.
With proper preparation and time management, students can achieve high scores on the ACT, opening doors to prestigious universities and scholarship opportunities abroad.
