Is the ACT really important for college?

Colleges use ACT scores to place you in the right classes at the right level. And, your ACT score can help you place out of remedial coursework rather than sitting for additional placement tests on campus — saving time and money!

Is the ACT important for college?

Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other.

Do colleges really look at ACT scores?

College admission tests like the SAT and ACT are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions.

Do colleges take ACT seriously?

The ACT is Accepted

So you can rest easy knowing that if you take the ACT, you do not need to take the SAT to get into college. In terms of nominal legitimacy, the ACT is equal to or even above the SAT. Universities will accept ACT takers universally.

Is it bad to not study for the ACT?

Bottom line: taking the SAT or ACT without at least minimal prepping is never a good idea. While you can take these tests as many times as you like, we advise students not to take any test more than 4 times, and taking a test twice is really ideal.

Why You Should Take the ACT®

Does your ACT score really matter?

One big piece of this process continues to be the standardized SAT and ACT exams. Of all the factors impacting a school's acceptance, we believe these test scores make up approximately 30% of the overall decision. However, they are extremely important for being awarded scholarship money.

Is a 28 on ACT without studying good?

Well, it is outstanding! A 28 ACT score is equal to 88%. So, undoubtedly, it is an excellent score. Unfortunately, only a few candidates get the 28 ACT percentile, so if you have got one, you are lucky.

Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT?

This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you. Both tests are widely accepted across U.S. colleges—including those that are test optional.

Is ACT enough for Harvard?

There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 34 to have a chance at being considered.

Can you get into college without ACT?

Although the ACT and SAT are the two most common college entrance exams, many schools do not require either of these tests. If you cannot access testing or deal with test anxiety, you can explore one of the many on-campus or online colleges that don't require SAT or ACT scores.

Is the ACT easier than SAT?

The SAT is not harder than the ACT. Both tests vary slightly in terms of subjects covered and structure. These variations can affect each test-taker differently, making one exam more challenging than the other. Taking full-length practice tests of each type can help you determine which may be best suited for you.

Do colleges care how many times you take ACT?

So, do colleges care how many times you take the SAT or ACT? We think not. And even if you do take it many times, they can't see every single score. Some colleges do “recommend” that you report every test score, but there is no way for them to guarantee that you do, or penalize you if you don't.

What do colleges look at the most?

Do UK colleges require ACT?

UK is fully test optional for admissions and scholarship. Each college with selective majors have different requirements for test-optional students. Learn more about those options here. Do I need to submit ACT or SAT scores for scholarship consideration?

Why colleges should not require SAT or ACT?

Many consider the tests to be unfair because there are score gaps by race and class. Average scores for modest-income, Black and Hispanic students are lower than those for white, Asian and upper-income students. The tests' critics worry that reinstating test requirements will reduce diversity.

Why is the ACT so important?

MORE THAN AN ADMISSIONS EXAM

In addition to being a college admissions exam, the ACT includes a profile and education/career planning section to help you plan for life after high school. In MyACT you can complete your interest inventory and see how well your interests align with your planned major.

Is 17 a good ACT score?

Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.

Will a 36 ACT get you into Harvard?

Aim for a 1580 SAT and 36 ACT (the 75th percentile)

The middle 50% of Harvard's class of 2025 earned SAT scores of 1480-1580 and ACT scores of 33-36. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher in the range you score, the better your odds of admission are.

Can a 30 ACT get into Harvard?

Applicants should score between 30 and 36 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.

How hard is the ACT test?

Ultimately, the difficulty of the ACT depends on the test-taker. Some may find the long reading passages and complex math questions challenging. But since the test uses a predictable format and structure, even students who find the test hard can improve their performance with practice.

Should I take the ACT if I took the SAT?

If students choose one or the other, that's fine, because both tests have value. But if they submit both, that generally gives us a little more information.” And some of the most selective schools are reporting that as much as a quarter (or more!) of their enrolled students submitted scores for both exams.

Do I need to take the ACT?

Unless you're applying only to test-optional colleges, you'll likely need to take the SAT or ACT.

Has anyone gotten a 1 on the ACT?

The absolute minimum ACT score you can get is a 1, although this is very unlikely to happen. You might be more worried about getting a score high enough to get into college.

How rare is a 36 on the ACT?

Unsurprisingly, a full 36 is the rarest score of all—just 0.25% of all test takers earned a perfect ACT score. Roughly three times more students earned the next-highest score of 35; however, this is still a very rare score that just 0.775% of test takers earned.

Is 27 a good ACT score for a junior?

Is a 27 ACT Score (85th Percentile) Good? A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid!