What if I don't study for the ACT?

Students may choose not to prepare due to the mindset that these exams are just like any other standardized test. Very rarely, a student earns a good score on the SAT/ACT without preparation. However, it is an unlikely reality for the vast majority of high school students.

Can I take the ACT without studying?

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.

Do you really need to study for the ACT?

Scoring well on the ACT can impact your chances of admission at some colleges and may even qualify you for certain scholarships. We recommend preparing at least a few months in advance by reviewing ACT subject matter, taking practice tests, and identifying your weaknesses.

Is it OK to not take the ACT?

The SAT and ACT may be optional for you to take, depending on what colleges you decide to apply to. When building your college list, be sure to take note of which schools do and don't require test scores so you know what to expect when it's time to apply.

Is it okay to not finish the ACT?

What happens if you don't finish/skip a section on the ACT? Not finishing a section may affect your score for that section; however, skipping a section can prevent your test from being graded.

ACT Tips & Tricks that ACTUALLY work (perfect score) in 2024

Do most students finish the ACT?

In total, this will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, meaning you won't start the actual ACT® until at least 8:30 or 9:00. A majority of students will finish and leave the testing room between 12:15 or 1:15 depending whether they did the essay portion.

Do most people finish the ACT?

The majority of people do not finish the ACT.

Am I forced to take the ACT?

Although some students have a choice whether or not to take the ACT, many states have made it mandatory for every high school junior to take the test. This is actually a good thing! Before, only the students who already knew they were going to college typically took the ACT.

Can the ACT mess up scores?

The College Board (SAT) and the ACT both use computerized scoring processes, which is why there is so much emphasis on filling in those ovals completely with a dark pencil. But, occasionally the machines make a mistake, or a student loses track on the answer sheet and fills in a row of answers in the wrong spots.

Do colleges really care about ACT?

Yes, the SAT/ACT is important to schools because they use it to judge your readiness for college. However, it's also important to schools because if you're admitted, your SAT/ACT score will be incorporated into their yearly SAT/ACT statistics.

Is it possible to get a 0 on ACT?

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, meaning that the absolute minimum ACT score you could get is 1. This composite score is calculated by taking the average of all four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and rounding (so anything ending with a . 5 would round up).

How hard is the ACT really?

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.

Is the ACT actually easier than SAT?

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. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

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 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 any colleges not accept ACT?

Yes, there are many colleges in the US that don't require ACT or SAT scores. Some of them include New York University, University of Southern California, and many more. These are known as test-optional universities.

Is it bad to score a 14 on the ACT?

ACT Test Score Ranges

Each section has a test score range of 1-36: Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.

What is considered a bad ACT score?

Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with a great GPA or an outstanding college application. But even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some remedial courses before enrolling.

Does a bad ACT score hurt you?

(Read more about how many students get a 36 ACT every year and how their admissions chances are improved.) So to recap, any ACT score below 33 will lower your chances at the most selective schools. And any score below a 30 is decidedly low for top colleges.

What's the lowest ACT score to get into college?

What is the lowest ACT score a college will accept? In general, many US colleges and universities accept applicants with 16 or 17 ACT scores. In fact, an ACT score of 16 or lower is accepted by 33 schools. On the other hand, an ACT score of 17 or lower is accepted by 58 schools.

Can you get a 37 on the ACT?

On each section of the ACT , the number of correct answers converts to a scaled score of 1–36.

Is it illegal to cheat on the ACT?

When bribery or fraud is in play, criminal prosecution is possible. Paying for a grade leads to defrauding the school as students did not earn the grade through their academic merit. Fraud is also true if they cheated on the SAT or ACT and submitted those scores for college acceptance.

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the ACT?

Less than 0.5% of test-takers earn a perfect ACT score each year. We compiled the best ACT advice from students who scored a perfect 36.

How common is a 33 on the ACT?

What percentile is a 33 ACT score? A 33 ACT score puts you at the 98th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 98% of test takers.

Why is the ACT average so low?

High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test for 2023 dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, the nonprofit organization that administers the test said Wednesday.