What Does ACT Stand for?

by Melissa Brock | Nov 3, 2019 | Ask the admission office | 0 comments

What does ACT stand for? Here’s the answer for those trivia seekers! The ACT originally stood for American College Test, but now it’s just called by its three letters — A–C–T.

Kind of like deciding on a major, it’s a big deal. Here’s what your child needs to know to get ready for this all-important test.

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a multiple-choice entrance exam used by most colleges and universities — from liberal arts colleges to large state universities. This test is one component of your entire profile that admission committees use to make admission decisions. 

The test, administered by ACT Inc., simply measures your college readiness. It also provides colleges with a yardstick to compare all students who apply to their school.

But don’t worry, your ACT isn’t the only factor. College admission committees review your high school GPA, the classes you take in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admission interviews and personal essays.

This can be a tad confusing: Various schools put a different weight on the ACT. Some schools might not consider the ACT for admission at all. Generally, the higher you score on the ACT, the more options you’ll have for attending and paying for college.

What is the History of the ACT?

Everet Franklin Lindquist, professor of education at the University of Iowa, launched the American College Testing Program in 1959. He designed the ACT to test students’ general educational development. In other words, Lindquist wanted to test practical knowledge — academic achievement over intelligence. The ACT’s rival, the SAT, tested mainly theory-based reasoning skills. 

The first ACT was a four-part exam. It included 45-minute sections for English, mathematics, social studies and natural science. Lindquist’s test was scored using a 36-point system — and that scoring system is still used today.

Many of the 75,000 students who took the test in 1959 were Midwesterners. The SAT is still more popular on the coasts and the ACT is still taken more heavily in the middle of the country.

ACT Changes Over the Years

The ACT has changed a bit over the years:

• The ACT underwent a makeover in 1989. It swapped out the social studies and natural science sections and replaced them with reading and science reasoning.
• ACT added a writing section in 2005. This was a clear countermove in response to the SAT’s writing section.

ACT recently unrolled some new options — but they won’t be officially available until September 2020:

• Single section retesting: You will be able to retest just one, two or three section(s) without having to take the whole test again. For example, let’s say you take the full test on one of the national test dates. You’re not crazy about your math score, so you take only the math test at a later date and try to achieve a higher score the second time. 
• You can report your superscore: Superscoring means that you average your four best individual subject scores from each individual ACT test. For example, let’s say you take the ACT once and get a 24 on the math test and a 32 on the English test. Let’s say you take it again. This time, you get a 25 on the math test and a 30 on the English test. You can send colleges two of your best scores from these two different test dates — the 25 on the math test and the 32 on the English test. You will also be able to submit these ACT superscores directly to colleges and universities. Just make sure the colleges you’re applying to accept superscores — not all of them do.
• You can opt for online testing: Bye-bye, traditional paper testing — if you choose. You can now take every ACT online during national test dates. Traditional paper testing is still available if you’re more comfortable with that method. The advantage to online testing? You’ll get your scores back much more quickly — in as little as two days. 

What is on the ACT?

The ACT is divided into four specific testing areas, with an optional writing section. The tests are in this order: English, mathematics, reading and science.

English

The first test on the ACT is the English test. The English test is 45 minutes long and contains 75 questions. You get to edit the text — the ACT tests you on grammar, sentence structure and punctuation. In other words, you’ll need to insert where you think a passage needs a semicolon or a period, for example. It’ll also test your ability to critically understand how a passage flows and more.

Mathematics

Next, you’ll take the mathematics test. The mathematics test is 60 minutes long and contains 60 questions. It’s roughly divided into these types of math problems:

• Pre-algebra: About 20 percent
• Elementary algebra: About 20 percent 
• Intermediate algebra: About 20 percent
• Coordinate geometry: About 15 percent 
• Plane geometry: About 20 percent
• Trigonometry: About five percent

The ACT math section requires you to answer various word problems and others are straightforward math problems. Some have graphs or charts.

They range from easy to hard. The first 1-20 questions are easy, questions 21-40 are somewhat challenging and questions 41-60 are difficult. You might need to budget more time on the more challenging questions toward the end of the test.

Reading

Next, you’ll take the reading test — but not before you get a break! There’s a 10- to 15-minute break between the math and reading tests. The reading test is 35 minutes long and contains 40 questions. Specifically, you’ll read and answer questions about themes, tone and purpose. Overall, you’ll answer questions about how well you understand a particular passage. Specific topics include: 

• Prose fiction/literary narrative: This section involves fiction passages and literary memoirs. You’ll be asked to read and then answer these multiple-choice questions.
• Social science: You’ll also answer questions about passages in psychology, sociology and education.
• Humanities: You’ll be asked to read and answer questions in the humanities — including essays and memoirs, plus nonfiction pieces on philosophy, literature and the arts.
• Natural science: This section involves science topics like biology, chemistry, physics and medicine.

Note: You will not need to be a subject matter expert in any of these topics. You should be able to read (quickly, though!) and use your reading comprehension skills to answer any of the questions involved.

Science Reasoning

Science reasoning is the last required section. The science section is 35 minutes long and contains 40 questions. The science section doesn’t actually test your specific science knowledge — it tests your ability to interpret scientific information using charts and graphs.

Writing

Finally, the ACT writing test is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills. Many colleges and universities don’t require you to take the writing test — that’s good news for those of you who really don’t like to write! You can decide whether to sign up for the writing test after you ask the admission offices at the schools you’re applying to whether you should take the writing test.

Here’s how it works:

You’ll get a prompt that describes a complicated issue and which presents three different perspectives on that issue. You must write your answer in pencil on the lined pages of an answer folder. Students with a disability who cannot handwrite the essay will not have to write it by hand. (Check out information for students with disabilities on ACT’s website.)

When is the ACT Offered?

The ACT is always offered during the following months: 

• February
• April
• June
• July (Note: The ACT is not offered in New York state in July.)
• September
• October
• December

Don’t forget to sign up for the ACT by the registration deadline. The registration deadline is usually during the month preceding the test date, but if you don’t manage to sign up on time, there’s always a late registration deadline. 

Visit ACT for more information about test dates and learn how to register for a test.

Take the ACT

Knowing what’s on the ACT and what it stands for is great — but don’t forget to practice! Go through a few practice tests online or get a tutorial book from your local library.

Ask about the ACT when you’re on college campuses. You might already be asking, “What is the FAFSA?” and “What is rolling admission?” during your college visits. But don’t forget to ask each admission counselor when you should take the ACT.

Even more importantly, ask your admission counselor what ACT score each college requires. It’ll give you something to shoot for.

What is Rolling Admission?

by Melissa Brock | Oct 20, 2019 | Ask the admission office | 0 comments

You — or someone you know — has decided to go off to college. Hurray! Whether you or your kiddo are headed off to a university, liberal arts college, community college or elsewhere, you might learn that a college’s application process involves “rolling admission.”

What is rolling admission? It simply means that the college(s) you’re interested in will review applications as they receive them.

What Do I Need to Know About Rolling Admission?

Rolling admission means that colleges accept (and deny) students on a continuing basis. For example, you can get an admission decision whether you apply to colleges in October or April — you’ll usually find out whether you’ve been admitted within approximately two to four weeks.

But does that mean you should wait until April of your senior year to apply to schools? Probably not. Some schools have a priority deadline for rolling admission. Your application should be in earlier so you can increase your chance of acceptance. Beyond the priority deadline, the school will accept applications until all spots are filled.

Rolling admission is different than early decision or early action. Early decision schools are binding, which means that you apply early to a school and then you must attend that school when you’re accepted.

Early action schools are non-binding, which means that you can apply to several early decision schools and then make a final decision on May 1 — just like you can with rolling admission.

The major difference between early decision and early action schools is that they have a firm application deadline — unlike schools with rolling admission.

Steps to Apply to a College with Rolling Admission

Rolling admission offers a lot of benefits — particularly when you’re a busy high school student. Let’s say you (or your kiddo, if you’re a parent) must balance play rehearsal, cross country practice, homework and more every night of the week. It’s tough to find time to apply, so rolling admission can offer a little breathing room.

Step 1: Visit colleges so you know where you’d like to apply.

Visit several different types of schools. Call up the admission office at each college or university and talk to an actual person. For example, you might talk to the campus visit coordinator at a liberal arts college and a state university and plan to visit each school’s engineering department.

Visit schools early on in your high school years — don’t wait until April of your senior year and then go on a college visit frenzy. Start sophomore or junior year and ease into it. Sprinkle a couple of visits throughout summer break after sophomore year. Add one to spring break junior year. Hit even more colleges during the fall of your senior year. 

Think you’re behind on college visits? It’s okay — that’s why rolling admission is a major benefit. Treat this as an adventure. Visiting colleges can be so much fun!

Step 2: Ask colleges about their application processes.

Ask multiple questions about the application processes and admission requirements at every school (in detail!). The admission counselor is the best person to ask when you’re on your college visits. Here are five great questions you can ask your admission counselor: 

1. When does your application process open?
2. When must my application be complete?
3. What does your application involve (essay, letters of recommendation, resume, etc.)?
4. What are your best tips for filling out the application?
5. How long will it take me to complete?

Step 3: Apply for admission.

You’re ready to apply? Yesssssssss! So exciting. Read the application form in depth. (After all, it’s not a good feeling when you submit something as important as a college application and you realize that you’ve forgotten to include, say, a critical part of your college essay.) Your application form, which is almost always done online but could be done on a paper version in some cases, may include: 

• An essay or another type of writing sample: Get help with this! This must be your very best work. It’s worth it to have an English teacher or other savvy adult work through the components of the essay or writing sample. 
• Letters of recommendation: Some schools require you to submit letters of recommendation. Others do not. Check with each individual school for more information. Be sure you select people who can speak to your academic strengths — in other words, steer clear of athletic coaches or others who cannot comment on your performance in the classroom. Choose teachers from core subjects — math, English, science and history.
• List of activities: The application will ask for a list of your activities — both in school and outside of school. Be sure it’s a comprehensive, chronological list that highlights your interests. Schools will take your activities into serious consideration when they assess your application.
• Creative work: Schools might require you to submit creative work for additional scholarships or as a requirement for admission.

Another quick note: The application may ask you whether you plan to file the Free Application For Student Aid, or the FAFSA. Don’t plan to file the FAFSA? You might need to indicate that on your application.

Your application might allow you to apply to several schools at once — the Common, Coalition and Universal applications can allow you to apply for over 800 schools at once!

Step 4: Send in your transcripts and test scores.

Each school may ask for your transcripts and test scores, but make sure you’re sending the right information.

• Transcripts: Ask your high school to mail in an official copy of your transcripts. Some colleges and universities don’t require official transcripts at the time of application and may just need them when you officially graduate. Ask the school to be sure.
• Test scores (ACT or SAT tests are the most common): Have you taken your ACT or SAT? If not, take them — pronto — and have the scores sent directly to the schools you’re applying to. Learn about testing dates and fees on the ACT and SAT websites.

Step 5: Pay the application fee and submit.

Some applications require an application fee and others offer a free application — especially when you do a college visit at that particular school. You can pay the application fee via check, money order or credit card. Double-check to make sure that you included everything that’s required for the application and take a deep breath — and hit submit. Hurray!

Step 6: Wait for an official acceptance.

You’ll receive notification of your acceptance via regular mail within two to four weeks — do a happy dance! You might often receive a couple of other notifications from a school, possibly via email and maybe even communication from your admission counselor or other admission personnel at the schools you applied to. 

Now, you know that there’s also the possibility of a denied application. What happens if you’re not accepted? You can file an appeal. Every college handles appeals differently, so do your best to learn everything about the appeal process first.

Be sure you have a good reason for an appeal — not just being upset with the admission office’s decision. Write an appeal letter that points to specific reasons for lackluster performance, such as a death in the family or a long-term illness that you suffered from during your sophomore year. Be explicit. And whatever you do, don’t be accusatory toward the admission office for denying you.

Get an alternative plan ready to go at a different college, because appeals often don’t succeed — particularly if you’re denied admission from a highly selective school. Also remember that just because you’ve been denied admission at one point, it doesn’t mean you can’t reapply as a transfer student someday.

Why Opt for a School with Rolling Admission?

Rolling admission shouldn’t be the only reason you apply to a school. There obviously must be other compelling factors. Rolling admission should only be one of the “extra perks” that can help you make your best decision ever. Other factors that are arguably more important include: 

• Fit: Does the school feel “right” to you?
• Location: Is the college in the right city, state or even the right country? 
• Academics: Does the college excel in the major you’ve selected — or even better, have an overall excellent academic reputation? Remember, you don’t need to have your major selected prior to attending college. 
• Athletics: Is the coach for the sport you play the one you can envision playing for over the next four years? Are your teammates people you know you can get along with?
• Social: Is the social atmosphere the right one for you? What do students do on the weekends? A great way to gauge that is to do an overnight visit on campus before you make your final decision.
• Career opportunities: Does the school offer an excellent career center that can help you make connections over the next four years? Can the career center offer you leads to internships and alumni connections that can make it possible for you to get a job after you graduate?

Can you think of other factors that will make it on your list? Of course you can. Maybe a school makes it onto your list because it has an outstanding knitting club — or a championship bowling team. 

Find the Right Fit College No Matter What

One more thing to remember: A college’s specific admission type doesn’t indicate the caliber of the school at all. Just because a school is an “early decision” school doesn’t mean it’s “better” — just like rolling admission doesn’t mean it’s a “B” school. A lot of great schools require rolling admission. In short, don’t base your assessment of a school on the type of admission it uses.