ACT Test 2025: Registration, Exam Dates & Centres, Fees, Eligibility, Results

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Priya Garg
Updated on Jun 30, 2025 16:25 IST

By Priya Garg, Study Abroad Expert

The ACT exam (American College Testing) is a standardised test that assesses students' high school learning to determine their college readiness. By taking this test, students can get admitted to universities in the USA and Canada. The full form of the ACT exam is "American College Testing", and it assesses students in 4 main subjects, i.e. English, Reading, Maths and Science, along with an optional Writing section. The ACT exam contains multiple-choice questions (MCQ-based) with the Maths section containing 5 options for each question.

Taking the Writing section on the ACT test is completely optional, and students may choose to take it if their chosen college asks for it. The ACT test is conducted online and accepted for undergraduate admissions in the USA.. There is an optional Writing section, and whether the students choose to take it or not, this portion of the ACT exam does not affect the overall composite scores. The Writing section of the ACT test can be chosen by paying an extra fee during registration. The ACT exam is accepted by all the 4-year universities in the USA and more than 200 universities outside of USA. 

Important Update on the ACT Exam 2025: Starting September 2025, the Science section of the ACT test will also be made optional. Whether to take science-based questions on their test or not will be completely discretionary for the students. 

ACT Test
Q:   Is ACT easier than SAT?
A: 

There is no such comparison that can be drawn between ACT or SAT difficulty levels. While ACT focuses more on Maths section plus Reading and Writing with an analytical bend, SAT on the other hand is more about understanding and then answering the questions of Math & Reading + Writing. The difficulty of the exams depends upon the applicant's preparation and what choice they make between ACT or SAT. It is all about the applicant's knowledge and how he/she perceives the test they wish to take. 

Q:   Is ACT exam only for US students?
A: 

No, the ACT is not only for US students. While it's more commonly taken by students in the United States, students from around the world take this exam to prove their college readiness. The ACT exam is accepted by the universities in the USA and some universities in Canada

Q:   Is there an additional fee for ACT exam centre in India?
A: 

No, there is no additional fee for choosing an ACT exam centre in India. The fee is charged holistically from applicants when they are finally submitting their ACT exam forms. However, a "Change Fee" of $48.00 will be charged if you request a change in your chosen ACT test date and/or centre after making an appointment.

Thus, students must exercise caution while applying for the ACT exam and choosing the ACT exam centre and, of course, the date. Plus, make sure that you apply through the official website by logging in to the MyACT account only and do not pay any extra amounts unnecessarily. There are no additional exam centre costs; all costs are included within the overall ACT exam fee only.

Q:   What is ACT exam all about?
A: 

ACT exam or American College Testing is an exam that international students give if applying for undergraduate admissions to universities abroad. This exam tests applicants based on their previous knowledge of high school in subjects of Maths, English + Reading and Science. The ACT syllabus is more or less similar to high school knowledge and tests a certain level of understanding, analysis and analytical skills of the applicants. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 - 36 based on sectional performance and then coming down to a total overall score of ACT.

Q:   What is the full form of ACT test?
A: 

ACT stands for American College Testing. It's a standardized test commonly used for college admissions in the United States.

Table of content
  • ACT Exam 2025 Highlights
  • ACT Exam Full Form
  • ACT Exam Eligibility Criteria for Non-US Students 2025
  • ACT Exam Dates 2025-26
  • ACT Exam Registration 2025
  • ACT Exam Test Centres 2025
  • ACT Exam Pattern 2025
  • ACT Exam Scoring 2025
  • ACT Exam Results 2025
  • ACT Test Preparation Tips 2025
  • ACT Test Syllabus 2025
  • ACT Exam 2025 FAQs
View More
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ACT Exam 2025 Highlights

Exam Name

ACT

ACT Exam Full Form

American College Testing

Official Website

https://www.act.org 

Updated Duration of ACT Exam in 2025

125 minutes (updated)

Updated Number of questions in ACT Exam in 2025

131 (updated)

Popularly Given for

Undergraduate admissions in US & Canada

Administered by

ACT, Incorporated

Mode of Examination

Online and offline

ACT Fee for Indian Students

  • ACT exam (including English, Maths and Reading sections only): $186.50 = ₹15,948.55
  • ACT exam with Science: $196.50 = ₹16,803.70
  • ACT Test with Writing: $211.50 = ₹18,086.42
  • ACT Test with Science and Writing: $221.50 = ₹18,941.57
  • Test Option Change Fee: $48.00 = ₹4,104.72

(the writing option may be added or removed till the late deadline in the MyACT account)

*The $ to INR conversion are calculated as per the exchange rate on June 30, 2025 (1 USD = 85.52 INR). Also, the tests at the above-mentioned fees will provide reports for you and up to 4 colleges, if their codes are provided during registration.

Scoring

Range of 1 - 36

ACT Contact Info

Phone: 319-337-1270

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is ACT exam used for?
A: 

The ACT exam is primarily used for college admissions in the United States. It measures a student's readiness for college-level work in four core areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Many colleges and universities use ACT scores as part of their admissions process to evaluate applicants.

Q:   Waht's going to change in the ACT test format in 2025?
A: 

Starting form September 2025, the ACT will have a shorter test duration, fewer questions, and more time per question. The Science section will become optional, similar to the Writing section. Additionally, the ACT will transition to a digital format, allowing students to take the test on a computer, laptop, or tablet.

Q:   Can I appear for more than one ACT test date in a month?
A: 

Yes, prospective students are eligible to apply for as many ACT exam dates as they wish to. Be it both dates in a month or other future dates. However, the ACT exam registration will have to be done separately for both dates of a month, they cannot be registered through the same email ID. Students must also note that sometimes, the ACT dates may vary and two dates may not be available in a month, hence they can check for the next possible dates on the official website.

As a best practice, it is always better to appear for one exam date first and if the need arises, applicants can register for the ACT once again if they are dissatisfied with their current scores. 

Although one can take the ACT test 12 times, students usually take the exam 2-3 times. Candidates retake the exam to improve their scores. For the next ACT exam, one needs to check for ACT exam dates and also if the applicant has enough time to sit for ACT once more and then apply to various colleges and universities.

Q:   How late can we make changes to the ACT test date?
A: 

One can make changes to the test date no later than the late registration deadline. Even if making changes during the last minute or during late registration deadline students must ensure to correctly choose the ACT exam date and the centre too. Because once the choice is made there will be no changes allowed and the next option will b apply again for another date in future. Applicants can change or cancel a given ACT exam date for which registrations have already happened, provided it is within the late registration timeframe. In case it falls out of the late registration timeframe of ACT exam dates, then applicants may be levied an additional charge also.

Q:   How to strategise to prepare for ACT exam in a month?
A: 

If the applicant has chosen to appear for ACT exam, then he/she needs to first devise their strategy of preparation. ACT preparation may seem difficult for some while the others may be easy for others. Applicants need to first check how much are they prepared to give the exam. In case the applicants have some confidence in any one or maybe two sections of the ACT, they can easily prepare for the third section of ACT and prepare easily in a month's time. 

This should be the ideal strategy of ACT exam preparation if aiming for a month:

  • Attempt mocks and check how much preparation you need and then identify the green and red areas. 
  • Identify the topics or areas which need maximum help in terms of prep.
  • After the applicants have identified the areas that need maximum preparation, they should devote time to it and work on it. 
  • Keep revising the strong sections or topics at regular time period or on alternate days so that they keep in touch.
  • Finally, attempt mocks so that they help the applicant in understanding their progress overall, plus they are able to target those areas of lapse also.

Following these tips, applicants can prepare for ACT exam in a month's time. 

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ACT Exam Full Form

The ACT full form is American College Testing. This test assesses the readiness of high school applicants to attend colleges for undergraduate courses in the USA and Canada. The test assesses students based on the following subjects: previous knowledge in Maths, Science and English. A majority of US universities accept ACT scores from international students for admission purposes. Applicants must check if universities are test-optional or not; in case they are, the applicants may not mandatorily submit ACT scores unless they really wish to.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When is the ACT exam conducted?
A: 

ACT exam is conducted throughout the year in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. ACT is conducted once every month, hence, those who are planning to appear for ACT again will have to plan their dates and university applications accordingly. The ACT exam dates usually do not change once announced, hence caution must be exercised when opting for ACT exam dates, centre and while making the final payment too.

Q:   What all is there in the ACT score report?
A: 

The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.

Q:   What all can I do with "My ACT" account?
A: 

With your ACT account, applicants can:

  • Register for ACT,
  • View their ACT scores,
  • Send additional score reports to colleges or universities they are applying to, and
  • Register for the next test if at all required.
Q:   Which subjects are covered in the ACT exam?
A: 

Currently there are 5 subjects in the ACT exam, two of which are optional, starting April 2025. The main subjects in the ACT exam are - English, Maths, Reading, while the Science section is made optional along with the optional Writing section. One has to pay some extra fee to opt for either the Writing section or the Science section or both. Check out our fee section to learn more about the extra fee. 

Q:   How to register for the ACT as Indian students?
A: 

Candidates can register online for the ACT, this is the most popular method of registering for the ACT. Mail registration is also available to register for the ACT. Students must ensure that they register for ACT before hand and if possible before the late registration deadline to avoid extra charges. Applicants should also check out the fee and exam dates before regstering for ACT exam.

There is no minimum eligibility criteria to register for ACT exam, thus, applicants must make up their minds as to when they have to take the ACT exam and ensure that they register in time to avoid late registration charges. The late registration charges are additional charges, hence, if avaoidable, applicants must avoid.








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ACT Exam Eligibility Criteria for Non-US Students 2025

Since the ACT test is primarily for high school students, there are no particular eligibility criteria to appear for the ACT. People of all ages and grade levels are eligible to take the ACT. However, it is highly recommended that students be at least 13 years of age and since the ACT test assesses your high school knowledge, students from classes 9 to 12 commonly appear for the ACT test.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the age restrictions for the ACT exam?
A: 

There are no age restrictions for the ACT exam. However, students under the age of 16 years may be asked to provide a parental consent form at the time of registration. The ACT exam is aimed at assessing the college readiness of students after their high school. Note that there is no upper age limit in the ACT exam.

Q:   Who is eligible to apply for ACT exam?
A: 

There is no specific age restriction or the level of grades required to register for ACT exam. Applicants who are willing to apply to foreign universities and are required to submit ACT scores can register for the exam first and then appear for it at the chosen date and centre. There is no bar in terms of the number of times an applicant wishes to appear for ACT exam as well. Thus, applicants can ideally apply and sit for ACT before applying to universities abroad.

Q:   Can I appear for more than one ACT test date in a month?
A: 

Yes, prospective students are eligible to apply for as many ACT exam dates as they wish to. Be it both dates in a month or other future dates. However, the ACT exam registration will have to be done separately for both dates of a month, they cannot be registered through the same email ID. Students must also note that sometimes, the ACT dates may vary and two dates may not be available in a month, hence they can check for the next possible dates on the official website.

As a best practice, it is always better to appear for one exam date first and if the need arises, applicants can register for the ACT once again if they are dissatisfied with their current scores. 

Although one can take the ACT test 12 times, students usually take the exam 2-3 times. Candidates retake the exam to improve their scores. For the next ACT exam, one needs to check for ACT exam dates and also if the applicant has enough time to sit for ACT once more and then apply to various colleges and universities.

Q:   What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
A: 

The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.

Q:   Are ACT dates different for late registration and final deadline?
A: 

There is a deadline for each ACT exam date where no extra fee is charged for registration. But those who still haven't made up their minds and still wish to appear for an ACT exam date whose late registrations are open, are free to still register but with a late fee charge. Thus, there are two deadlines one is actual deadline when students can register for the ACT exam date and the next is the late registration when an additional fee is charged for the same ACT exam date's registration. 







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ACT Exam Dates 2025-26

The ACT is conducted only a few times a year from September to July. You do not have the luxury of selecting an exam date suitable for your convenience, which is the case with other exams. You need to plan your ACT exam preparation according to these test dates. These ACT exam dates are scheduled to suit your application deadlines for the fall semester. The following are the ACT exam dates for Indian students in 2025:

ACT Exam Test Dates in 2025-26 for Indian Students

ACT Test Dates 2025-26

Registration Deadlines

Registration Deadlines with Lates Fee

Photo Upload Deadline

11 & 12 July 2025

13 June 2025

27 June 2025

04 July 2025

5-6 September, 2025

8 August 2025

22 August 2025

29 August 2025

17-18 October, 2025

19 September 2025

3 October 2025

10 October 2025

12-13 December, 2025

14 November 2025

28 November 2025

5 December 2025

6-7 February, 2026

9 January 2026

23 January 2026

30 January 2026

10-11 April, 2026

13 March 2026

27 March 2026

3 March 2026

12-13 June, 2026

15 May 2026

29 May 2026

5 June 2026

10-11 July, 2026

12 June 2026

26 June 2026

3 July 2026

Points to remember:

  • Ideally, you are recommended to register for the exam two to three months before you choose a date for exam appearance.
  • It is safer to stick to early registration as you will have a set schedule to prepare for the exam accordingly.
  • If you are considering of taking coaching for exam preparation, the coaching institutes would also recommend you register at the earliest so that you have a wide window of time to prepare.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When should an applicant take the ACT?
A: 

A. Analyse the time you will take to prepare for the ACT and when you are planning to apply to colleges. Make sure you have the ACT score with you at the time of filling the application. Also, prepare to take ACT based on your preparation, see how much you'd take to complete the ACT syllabus plus reserve some time for taking mock tests as well. Once all these pointers are checked, you can choose your ACT exam date and register for it as soon as you make up your mind. 

Also, for those who would need more time for preparation must first check the university deadlines and then apply for ACT exam based on the timeline of preparation. ACT exam dates are usually released beforehand, thus, applicants must check them as soon as they are released. 

Q:   What is ACT exam rescheduling fee?
A: 

You can change the type of ACT exam you want to undertake. You can also change the day and date of your booked ACT exam appointment or even change your test centre. However, all this can be done by paying an additional "Change Fee" towards your booked ACT exam appointment. The amount of Change Fee that you would need to pay is $48.00.

Q:   How many times is the ACT test conducted in a year?
A: 

The ACT exam is conducted 7 times (for two consecutive days) in a year. The ACT exam dates typically fall in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October and December. 

Q:   Can I interchange my ACT exam dates with another future date?
A: 

Yes, there is an option to interchange an ACT exam date chosen with a future exam date. Students will have to pay an additional amount for interchanging or changing ACT exam date. It is always better to choose one ACT exam date and stick to it and avoid cancelling or changing the exam date as it requires a fee for every request. Thus, register for ACT in one go with final dates in mind. 

Thus, those who are willing to pay will have to submit an additional fee for ACT date shifting request and apply or register in accordance with new instructions and details. It is always advised that applicants check the ACT exam dates prior to their registrations to avoid last-minute confusions and alterations.

Q:   When is the ACT exam conducted?
A: 

ACT exam is conducted throughout the year in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. ACT is conducted once every month, hence, those who are planning to appear for ACT again will have to plan their dates and university applications accordingly. The ACT exam dates usually do not change once announced, hence caution must be exercised when opting for ACT exam dates, centre and while making the final payment too.

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ACT Exam Registration 2025

International students must register for the ACT exam online only through their "My ACT" official account. The ACT application requires students' personal information and can be registered by following the steps given below.

Steps tp Register for the ACT Exam Online 

The ACT registrations from Indian and other non-US students are accepted online. Students are required to fill out the online application form as per the following instructions and details:

  • If you plan to test at the designated Indian test centres, sign up online by creating an ACT Web account.
  • Choose a test date and a test centre to appear for the ACT.
  • Create a student profile and complete the application request, submit the required documentation.
  • You will receive an immediate registration confirmation
  • Pay the ACT exam fee through a credit/debit card or online funds transfer.
  • Registration deadlines are typically about three to four weeks before a test date.
  • Deadlines for late registration are typically about two to three weeks before the test date, and registering late will incur a late fee.

ACT Exam Fee for Non-US Students 2025

All the ACT exam fees are non-refundable, therefore, students are advised to take the ACT test when they are  

ACT Exam Fee Type

Description

Cost

ACT Exam Fee 2025 

The basic fee for the ACT test including Maths, Reading and English sections only

$186.50

ACT Test fee 2025 with Science Section

ACT Test containing English, Maths, Reading and Science Section.

$186.50

ACT Exam Fee with Writing

This includes the basic ACT exam fee to be taken along with the writing section

$211.50

ACT Exam Fee with Science and Writing

ACT Test including Maths, English, Reading, Science (optional) and Writing (optional) sections

$221.50

Writing Section Add-on Fee

Additional Fee applied on the ACT exam fee to add the Writing section 

$25

Science Section Add-on Fee

Additional Fee applied on the ACT exam fee to add the Science section 

$10

Test Option Change Fee

This is the fee to add/remove the Writing section to your ACT test via the MyACT portal. 

$25.00

Late Registration Fee

Charged if you register/change the exam date after the deadline but before the final late registration

$40.00

Change Fee

Charged if you change the test date, test center, or test type

$48.00

For Score Reports to 5th and 6th Colleges/Unievrsities 

Requests to be made online before the chosen ACT test.

$20.00

Request for Additional Reports

Additional reports can be requested for online after the registration.

$20.00

ACT Exam Admit Card 2025

Candidates can download and print the admit card from the official website. The candidate must produce the admit card while appearing for the exam. When you receive your admission ticket, check it carefully to make sure your identifying information, address, and score recipients are correct.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the late registration fee for the ACT exam?
A: 

If you make a change to your booked ACT exam date or are registering in the late period of the national test date, then you will be required to pay an additional late registration fee for the ACT exam. The late registration fee for the ACT exam is $40.00.  

Q:   What is the registration fee for the ACT?
A: 

International candidates need to pay USD 186.50 (without the Science and Writing test) as an ACT registration fee in 2025. the ACT exam fee with the Science section in 2025 is USD 196.50 and the ACT exam fee with teh writing section is USD 186.50 + USD 25 = USD 211.50. The ACT exam fee with the Science and Writing section is USD 221.50.  

Q:   How to make changes to ACT registration?
A: 

Candidates can make changes to registration through their MyACT account. Candidates are allowed to make the following changes:

  • Add or remove the writing test
  • Changes to test date or test location
  • Any updation to personal information
  • Any changes to selected colleges

If these changes are made after the registration deadlines, then the applicant may have to bear an extra fee also. Thus, applicants must ensure that they fill their applications with the right set of information in one go as far as possible.

Q:   What all is required at the time of online ACT registration?
A: 

As Indian students (or international students), candidates need to have their high school scores if available and if not they can enter their predicted scores, a valid photo ID, one recent photograph, and a credit card. The registration of ACT exam also requires applicant's high school educational background along with interests of the applicants. The ACT registration also includes students including the colleges and universities they wish to send their scores across to as well. Hence, its quite a lengthy process which requires a lot of attention so that all information provided is correct.

Applicants must be accurate with the details they enter so that they do not need to come back and make amends in the ACT exam application. The ACT registrations do not require a lot of documentation but just predicted scores to understand the applicant's progress academically so far.

Q:   When should I request for accommodations in my ACT exam?
A: 

You should request for accommodations before the late registration period ends. However, you yourself cannot submit the request for a special accommodation for your ACT exam, it can only be done by one of your school officials through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system. 

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ACT Exam Test Centres 2025

The ACT exam is conducted at the test centres in the following cities. Please note that these cities have multiple test centres: Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Dehradun, Fatehpur, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kodaikanal, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Mussoorie, New Delhi, Noida, Pune, and Vadodara.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What all things are allowed at the ACT exam centre?
A: 

The following things that an applicant is permitted to take at the ACT test centre are as follows:

  • A valid photo ID
  • A calculator (read the ACT Calculator policy for selecting the right calculator)
  • As it is a lengthy test it is advised to carry some water and snacks with you (you can consume them only during the break)
  • Pen or pencil
  • Any electronic gadget
  • Food or beverages including water
Q:   Are ACT exam timings same at all centres?
A: 

Yes, the ACT exam centres follow the same exam timings as proposed. For the morning shift test-takers need to be seated at 8:00 AM and for the afternoon shift, test-takers should be present at 1:30 PM. A short break is thereafter the first two tests. Test takers giving the ACT with writing get a brief break before the writing test. Thus, applicants should reach the ACT exam centre well within time with whatever is required to give the exam without any last minute hassles.

Q:   What all things are not allowed at the ACT exam centre?
A: 

The following items are not allowed at the ACT exam centre:

  • Any snacks, drinks, or reading materials in the test room are not permitted while sitting for the ACT exam.
  • Chits or any cheating material.
  • Gadgets besides calculators. 
  • Any sharp material and metal materials.
  • Also books are also equally prohibited to carry at ACT exam centre.

Applicants not abiding by the rules may be penalised and may also be barred from appearing for the ACT exam at the designated exam centre.

Q:   What if a far away ACT exam centre is available?
A: 

In case a very far off ACT exam centre is available and the applicant doesn't have another nearby option, he or she will have to choose that far away centre only. The next best solution to find a nearby ACT exam centre is to change the date of exam and check for the nearby exam centre's seat availability. In case seats are available at the nearby centre with a mere change of date, then applicants can switch over. But if there's not much time in hand and scores cannot be delayed to be sent across to the universities then the current preference should be given to the far off ACT exam centre. So choose wisely.

Q:   When should you take the ACT exam?
A: 

It's recommended to select a test date that is at least two months before the application deadlines for any colleges and scholarship organizations you plan to apply to.

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ACT Exam Pattern 2025

The revised ACT exam pattern in 2025 will now include only the English, Math, and Reading sections in the ACT test. The Science section is now optional, just like the Writing section. So, students can now opt to choose whether they want to take the Science section or not, according to the requirements of the course that they are taking for higher education. study in their host institution in the USA or Canada. The optional Writing section has one 30-40 minute writing prompt that will define an issue, along with two points of view on that issue. Students are not scored on this section.

Revised ACT Exam Pattern from 2025

Here is the ACT paper pattern for prospective students thinking of applying for an ACT for admissions abroad:

Revised ACT EXam Pattern 2025

ACT Subjects

Total Questions

Test Duration

Sub-sections

English

50 Questions

(Earlier: 75 questions)

35 minutes

(Earlier: 45 minutes)

Usage/Mechanics

  • punctuation
  • grammar and usage
  • sentence structure

Rhetorical Skills

  • strategy
  • organisation
  • style

Maths

45 MCQs with 4 choices each

(Earlier: 60 multiple-choice questions with 5 choices each)

50 minutes

(Earlier: 60 minutes)

  • Pre-algebra
  • Elementary Algebra
  • Intermediate Algebra
  • Coordinate geometry
  • Plane geometry
  • Trigonometry

Reading

36 Questions

(Earlier: 40 questions)

40 minutes

(Earlier: 35 minutes)

Four passages are given, each passage from different sections like social studies, natural science, fiction, and humanities

Science (optional)

40 questions

 

(Earlier: 40 questions)

40 minutes

(Earlier: 35 minutes)

  • Data representation like graphs and tables
  • Research summaries
  • Conflicting viewpoints

Writing test (optional)

 

40 minutes

One writing prompt

Total

131 questions (ACT test only)

125 minutes (ACT test only)

3 sections (two optional)

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is a good ACT composite score?
A: 

There is no specific answer to this, usually, tier 1 universities prefer candidates with ACT composite scores of 30 or more. Since a lot of universities have become test-optional the may not require applicants to submit an ACT score at all. But there are applicants who would still submit an ACT score to prove their academic knowledge and analytical side too. Thus, there is no answer to the question as to what is a good ACT composite score, it all ultimately depends upon how th student wants to portray it. 

Q:   What all is there in the ACT score report?
A: 

The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.

Q:   How late can we make changes to the ACT test date?
A: 

One can make changes to the test date no later than the late registration deadline. Even if making changes during the last minute or during late registration deadline students must ensure to correctly choose the ACT exam date and the centre too. Because once the choice is made there will be no changes allowed and the next option will b apply again for another date in future. Applicants can change or cancel a given ACT exam date for which registrations have already happened, provided it is within the late registration timeframe. In case it falls out of the late registration timeframe of ACT exam dates, then applicants may be levied an additional charge also.

Q:   What is the duration of the ACT?
A: 

The updated duration for the ACT exam in 2025 is 125 minutes. This includes the time needed to attempt only the English, Reading and Maths sections in the ACT test since the Science section is made optional since April 2025. If you add the optional writing section then add 30 minutes more, and if you add the Science section too, then add 40 minutes more. 

Then the total duration of ACT is 195 minutes after adding the writing and science sections. 

Q:   What changes are going to be implemented to the ACT exam pattern in 2025?
A: 

Starting September 2025, the duration of the ACT exam for all the non-US test takers, will be shortened. This will be achieved by reducing the number of questions asked earlier on the ACT exam. The new test format will have 44 fewer questions than earlier. 

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ACT Exam Scoring 2025

Each section of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is scored on a 1 to 36-point scale. The composite score is the average of all four tests. Students taking the optional writing test will receive a writing score for that section, ranging from 1 to 36. The writing score does not affect the composite score.

Here are the average ACT scores by sections -

ACT Exam Sections

Average ACT Scores

English

20.3

Math

20.9

Reading

21.3

Science

20.8

Composite

21.0

What is the validity of ACT Exam Scores?

The ACT total scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested.

Also, Read:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can applicants get a new score from ACT if they incorrectly marked on a correct answer?
A: 

Yes, if the applicant feels that they have been marked incorrectly on a correctly answered question on the ACT exam, they can raise a request for score verification. For this they will have to fill up a pdf form and attach a cheque for ACT Customer Support. Once the form is submitted, the applicant's responses will be checked as per the correct score key and match the answers, in case of essay also, they would be evaluated by independent plus qualified readers to check if assessment was done correctly. In case the scores increase or even if they decrease the applicant would get a new score from ACT in both cases.

Q:   What is a perfect ACT score?
A: 

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, with 1 being the lowest and 36 being a perfect score. No university or college demands a perfect ACT composite score of 36, thus, students should aim for a score of 30+ and score slightly above the minimum ACT score requirements. Hence, its good to aim for the perfect ACT score but not aimlessly targetting for 36 will be a more sensible approach.

Q:   What is the scoring scale of the ACT exam?
A: 

The ACT exam has a scoring scale of 1 to 36 for each of the four main sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The Composite Score, which is the average of these four section scores (rounded to the nearest whole number), also ranges from 1 to 36.

Q:   How is the ACT scored?
A: 

Each of the ACT sections whether Reading, Math, English, and Science are scored on a range of 1-36. You get an overall ACT score depending on the number of correct answers you gave. The average ACT score of four sections, also known as the composite score, is the final score. This means that the scores of all the sections are added together and divided by four to get the composite score.

There is no negative marking for incorrect answers plus unattempted questions. Based on the above explanation of how scoring on ACT is done, the results are compiled. 

The following table shows how the ACT band score is calculated based on section wise performance of the applicant in ACT exam:

ACT Score Calculation
ACT Scale ScoreEnglish Raw ScoreMath Raw ScoreReading Raw ScoreScience Raw Score
367559—604040
3573–7457–583939
3471–7255–563838
33705437
32695337
Q:   Is ACT exam superscoring available?
A: 

Yes, you can now get a superscore for your ACT exam. The superscores will automatically be calcuated and provided to you by ACT if you have taken the ACT exam more than once since 2016. 

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ACT Exam Results 2025

ACT test results are typically released within two to three weeks of the test administration and can be viewed online. If you took the ACT with writing, your writing scores will be posted online as soon as they are ready, which is normally two weeks after your general scores are out. Applicants can access their ACT exam scores and results on their MyACT account by logging in with their credentials. Applicants can also check if the ACT scores have reached the concerned colleges or not, based on the timeline. 

Tentative ACT Exam Result Dates in 2025 

As per the older patterns, below we have provided the tentative dates for the release of ACT exam results in 2025 for Indian and other non-US students. Hence, the tentative score reporting dates for the recent and upcoming ACT testing windows are:

Tentative Score Reporting Dates of the Upcoming ACT Exams in 2025
ACT Exam Dates 2025 ACT Score Reporting Timeframe

13-14 June 2025

23 June 2025 - 08 Aug 2025

11-12 July, 2025

21 July 2025 - 06 Sep 2025

05-06 Sep 2025

15 Sep 2025 - 01 Nov 2025

17-18 Oct 2025

27 Oct 2025 - 12 Dec 2025

12-13 Dec 2025

22 Dec 2025 - 07 Feb 2025
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   When to retake the ACT test?
A: 

Do not retake the ACT just for the sake of it, go for a retest if you are convinced that your score will improve. If your score is less than the targeted score, in that case you can retake the ACT after more preparation. You can retake ACT when you have enough time in hand also to appear for another exam before applying to universities abroad and also have some extra preparation along with the previous knowledge is then sensible to appear for the ACT exam for the second attempt or beyond.

Q:   How soon ACT scores are available?
A: 

Students can view their composite and multiple-choice section scores online between two weeks to eight weeks. For writing section scores, it takes almost two more weeks since an expert has to read the essays and then mark based on the writing piece. The students who are applying to universities abroad are hence required to appear for ACT in such a manner that they receive the scores well in advance before submitting the scores to the university in their application forms. 

Q:   What are the delivery timelines for ACT score reports to recipients?
A: 

ACT score reports are sent to various recipients like the college or university the applicant is applying to. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a different time frame, the table below gives details of the types of ACT score reports and the time frame in which they are delivered:

Types of ACT score reportWhere it's delivered? When it's delivered? What it reports?
Student reportApplicant's online ACT web account2–8 weeks after the test dateACT scores, college and career planning information
High school reportApplicant's high school via
online reporting
College reportEach valid college code applicant listed and paid for when they registered or tested (up to six)Varies based on college and when orderedEverything on the Student and High School Report, plus the grades reported in up to 30 high school courses; it may also include performance prediction.
Q:   When does college receive ACT scores?
A: 

If you have selected score report recipients at the time of registration then they will receive the ACT score report between 4-10 weeks. Applicants can check if their scores have been released online within three weeks from taking the test and in the fourth week check if the ACT score reports have been released to the recipients that were mentioned during ACT exam registration. Once the ACT scores are released to the recipients, the status would show delivered in the status.

Q:   How can I check my ACT exam scores?
A: 

You can check your ACT exam scores on your dedicated "MyACT" account. You can simply just log into your account and look for the results section. Note that signing into your ACT account to look for results does not fasten up ACT's result declaration process. 

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ACT Test Preparation Tips 2025

There are two ways to prepare for the ACT: Self-Study and Coaching Classes. Both these options have unique benefits and none of the above can be considered better than the other. These two methods cannot be compared as they serve different audiences. The choice of method of study would depend upon the requirements and preferences of the exam takers.

Self-Study: If money is a consideration and one is quite confident of being able to prepare well without supervision, then self-study may be the better option to prepare for the ACT. You could save money on personal tuition and classes, but you need to keep in mind other factors too. To be able to study on your own effectively, you need a good resource of books and study material, along with motivation and self-discipline.

Coaching: If time is a constraint and you need professional guidance to ensure a competitive edge in exam preparation, then coaching classes are a better option. You will have access to a better resource of study material and will have a team of experts guiding you. Your time will be better managed as being regular in classes will become part of your routine. Moreover, being around other students preparing for the ACT will help you increase your motivation levels.

To choose the best method how to prepare for ACT you first need to look at your criteria and decide accordingly. If you are confused and want to check whether or not you are ready to prepare o your own, you may refer to ACT Preparation Tips.

Practice Tests and Sample Papers: 

It is always better to prepare with the help of practice tests and sample papers. The step-by-step way to go about this would be:

  • Checking the syllabus thoroughly
  • Understanding the exam pattern
  • Making a preparation plan covering all the sections
  • Picking up some tests to practice
  • Referring to old samples papers to see how far you've reached
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to strategise to prepare for ACT exam in a month?
A: 

If the applicant has chosen to appear for ACT exam, then he/she needs to first devise their strategy of preparation. ACT preparation may seem difficult for some while the others may be easy for others. Applicants need to first check how much are they prepared to give the exam. In case the applicants have some confidence in any one or maybe two sections of the ACT, they can easily prepare for the third section of ACT and prepare easily in a month's time. 

This should be the ideal strategy of ACT exam preparation if aiming for a month:

  • Attempt mocks and check how much preparation you need and then identify the green and red areas. 
  • Identify the topics or areas which need maximum help in terms of prep.
  • After the applicants have identified the areas that need maximum preparation, they should devote time to it and work on it. 
  • Keep revising the strong sections or topics at regular time period or on alternate days so that they keep in touch.
  • Finally, attempt mocks so that they help the applicant in understanding their progress overall, plus they are able to target those areas of lapse also.

Following these tips, applicants can prepare for ACT exam in a month's time. 

Q:   What are the best ways to prepare for the ACT test?
A: 

Below are some of the tips that can help you prepare effectively for your ACT exam:

  1. Understand your purpose of taking the test. Research through the internet to find yourself enough explanation on why the test is important for you. Then, understand which test you need to take - whether you need to take the writing portion of the test or not. 
  2. Understnd the syllabus of the ACT test - this will help you what will be expected out of you in the test. By learning bout the chapters and topics, you can start your practice of topic everyday, as soon as you can. remember - the earlier you start your preparation - the more you will be ready to adjust to any changes (if any) that comes in the exam format before the stipulated exam date. Also, you will get enough time to revise and solve practice papers. 
  3. Commit important Maths, Physics and Chemistry formulas to your memory and make short notes of the same. You can go through these notes and formulas before entering the exam hall. 
  4. Learn about the test strategies from the previous ACT test takers - figure which strategies worked for them. And make a customised action plan for yourself based on your preferences and needs. 
Q:   What are the tips to prepare for ACT exam?
A: 

There are just a couple of tips that one must keep in mind before preparing for ACT exam:

  • Check the ACT exam syllabus first, mark the topics where the students are confident enough and mark those where they lack confidence.
  • See how much time will you take to prepare for ACT and then begin preparing for the exam based on the timeline keeping the above point in mind.
  • Setting up a schedule and making a timetable and following it is must to crack plus prepare for ACT.
  • A separate time must be kept for attempting mock exams.
  • Those who still need mocks should keep a week or two for extra preparation. 
Q:   How do I prepare for the ACT exam?
A: 

Preparation for the ACT exam begins with understanding each of its four main sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) and the optional Writing section. To start with, you can take a full-length ACT practice test to pinpoint the area of your strengths and weaknesses. Then, create a study plan that targets your weaker areas, using official ACT exam preparation materials and reputable prep books or online programs.

Q:   Are two months enough to prepare for the ACT exam?
A: 

Yes, with a focused and consistent plan, two months can be enough to prepare well for the ACT exam. This time is enough to identify any weaknesses that you may have in a subject, review the content you are using for preparation, practice with full-length tests, and refine test-taking strategies.

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ACT Test Syllabus 2025

The ACT exam syllabus covers Reading, Mathematics, English, and Science as mandatory. This exam, however, has an optional writing section as well. Given below is an idea of how the syllabus of the ACT exam goes section-wise:

ACT English Section

The ACT English section tests the student's ability to understand the language basics and the ability to comprehend it too. These topics are broadly tested in ACT for the English section:

Usage/Mechanics

  • Punctuation – These questions test your knowledge of internal and ‘end of sentence’ punctuation, with a focus on the relationship of punctuation to meaning.
  • Grammar and Usage – These questions test your understanding of the agreement between pronoun and antecedent, between subject and verb, and between modifiers and the word modified; pronoun case; verb formation; idiomatic usage; and formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.
  • Sentence Structure – These questions test your understanding of relationships between and among clauses, shifts in construction, and placement of modifiers.

Rhetorical Skills in ACT

  • Strategy – These questions test how well you develop a topic by choosing appropriate expressions to an essay's purpose and audience; judging the effect of adding, deleting, or revising supporting material; and testing the relevance of statements in context.
  • Organization – These questions test how well you organize ideas, as well as how you choose an effective opening, transitional, and closing sentence.
  • Style – These questions test how well you choose appropriate words and images, manage sentence elements, maintain the level of style and tone, and avoid ambiguous pronouns.

ACT Mathematics Section

The following areas of Mathematics are tested in the ACT, thus students can prepare around the following topics:

Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra

  • Pre-Algebra – These questions are based on operations like whole numbers, decimals, place value; square roots and approximations; fractions, and integers; the concept of exponents; scientific notation; linear equations in one variable; factors; ratio, proportion, and percentages; absolute value and ordering numbers by value; data collection, representation, and interpretation; counting techniques and probability, and understanding descriptive statistics.
  • Elementary Algebra – These questions are based on the evaluation of algebraic expressions, properties of exponents and square roots, understanding algebraic operations, using variables to express functional relationships, and solution of quadratic equations.

Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry

  • Intermediate Algebra – These questions are based on an understanding of rational and radical expressions, quadratic formulas, sequences and patterns, absolute value equations and inequalities, systems of equations, functions, modelling, quadratic inequalities, matrices, complex numbers, and roots of polynomials.
  • Coordinate Geometry – These questions are based on graphing and the relation between equations and graphs, including lines, points, polynomials, other curves, and circles; graphing inequalities; parallel and perpendicular lines; slope; distance; conics and midpoints.

Plane Geometry/Trigonometry

  • Plane Geometry – These questions are based on the properties and relations of plane figures, including relations and angles among perpendicular and parallel lines; properties of triangles, circles, rectangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three dimensions.
  • Trigonometry – These questions are based on understanding values and properties of trigonometric functions; trigonometric relations in right triangles; graphing trigonometric functions; use of trigonometric identities; modelling using trigonometric functions; and solving trigonometric equations.

ACT Reading Section

The sections on passages that are required to be read and questions to be answered are modelled around the following topics in the ACT:

  • Social Studies – These questions are based on passages in the areas of biography, anthropology, business, economics, psychology, history, archaeology, geography, political science, education, and sociology.
  • Natural Sciences- These questions are based on passages in the areas of meteorology, astronomy, biology, botany, natural history, ecology, geology, physics, medicine, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, technology, chemistry, and zoology.
  • Literary Narrative or Prose Fiction – These questions are based on passages from novels, memoirs, short stories, and personal essays. Questions in the Prose Fiction section are based on passages from novels and short stories.
  • Humanities – These questions are based on passages in the areas of art, dance, film, language, radio, literary criticism, philosophy, music, television, ethics, architecture, and theatre.

ACT Science Section

The following areas are tested for the Science section of the ACT:

  • Data Representation – This section has Graphic and tabular material similar to those in science journals and texts. The questions associated with this format measure skills like graph reading, interpretation of the information presented in tables, and interpretation of scatterplots.
  • Research Summaries - This section provides descriptions of experiments. The questions focus on the design of experiments and the explanation of results.
  • Conflicting Viewpoints - This section presents several hypotheses or views that might be based on differing premises or incomplete data, and are inconsistent with one another. The questions focus on the analysis, understanding, and comparison of alternative hypotheses.

To get a detailed syllabus and pattern of the ACT Exam, click ACT Syllabus.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is ACT exam syllabus?
A: 

The ACT exam syllabus covers 4 multiple-choice subjects and an optional essay:

  • English: Assesses grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
  • Mathematics: Covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.
  • Reading: Evaluates reading comprehension, including identifying main ideas, details, and implied meanings across passages from various genres.
  • Science: Measures interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills based on scientific data, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.
  • Writing (Optional): Requires writing an essay based on a given prompt to assess writing skills
Q:   What is tested as part of ACT English syllabus?
A: 

ACT English section syllabus is based on reading comprehension and understanding of the text plus consequently answering the questions. There are other questions based on the applicant's knowledge in English language's sentence structure & formation, punctuation and how the language is used. The ACT English syllabus also includes the students to review and edit complex texts so that they are coherent and make more sense. Thus, there's mostly about how the language is put to use.

Q:   Which topics are covered in Englisg section of the ACT exam?
A: 

The English section of the ACT exam comprises of multiple-choice based questions based on some essays and paragraphs. Here are the topics covered along with their weightages in the English section of the ACT exam in 2025:

  1. Production of Writing (38-43%)
  2. Knowledge of Language (18-23%)
  3. Conventions of Standard English (38-43%) 
  4. Field test, embedded (20%)
Q:   Which topics are covered in Maths section of the ACT exam?
A: 

There are self-contained questions and some questions that belong to a set of several questions (charts and graphs) in the Maths section of the ACT exam. The topics covered in the Maths section of the ACT exam are:

  1. Preparing for higher math (80%)
    • Number & Quantity (10-12%)
    • Algebra (17-20%)
    • Functions (17-20%)
    • Geometry (17-20%)
    • Statistics & Probability (12-15%)
  2. Integrating essential skills (20%)
  3. Modeling (>=20%)
  4. Field test, embedded (9%)
Q:   Which topics are covered in Reading section of the ACT exam?
A: 

The topics covered in the Reading section of the ACT exam are:

  1. Key ideas and details (44-52%)
  2. Craft and structure (26-33%)
  3. Integration of knowledge and ideas (19-26%)
  4. Field test, embedded (25%)
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ACT Exam 2025 FAQs

Check the most frequently asked questions about the ACT exam below. 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are other types of registration fee for the ACT exam?
A: 

There are different types of ACT registration fees for students. Candidates need to pay an additional USD 40 as a late registration fee for the ACT if they register after the regular deadline.

Around USD 48 is charged as "Change Fee" for requesting a change your test centre or date after registering for your ACT exam. The other ACT exam fee include fee for sending your ACT exam scores to teh 5th or 6th universities of your choice or for requesting extra score reports. Both cost USD 20.00 separately. 

Q:   What if an applicant misses the late registration of ACT exam?
A: 

The only solution to missing the final or late registration of ACT exam is to apply for another ACT exam date. The late registration of ACT will not open once closed, hence there is no other option but to wait for the next ACT dates registrations to open. Students must ensure that they are applying in time and for the best possible date as per convenience to avoid last-minute confusions.

Q:   What all documents do I need to bring to the ACT test centre?
A: 

Bring the following with you to the test centre:

  • A valid photo ID
  • 2 pencils (sharpened) with erasers
  • A calculator
  • Water bottle

No other item would be permitted at the ACT exam centre thus, abide by the rules and avoid going against them.

Q:   What all is there in the ACT score report?
A: 

The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.

Q:   Can I cancel my ACT scores after the test?
A: 

No, you cannot cancel the ACT test scores, however, you have the choice to not send the score reports to colleges. If you will cancel the sending of score reports then colleges won't receive your scores. You can cancel the sending of score reports maximum by five days after the test date. One can also request ACT to delete their records of scores from the test administration. Thus, applicants should check what all options they have before going for a score cancellation of ACT exam.

Resources for you
Understand the process step by step by referring to these guides curated just for you
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Comments

(3)

36833359
Dheeraj Paliwal

9 months ago

In there 4 section excluding writing part. Is optional like maths and Science section

Reply to Dheeraj Paliwal

36833359
Dheeraj Paliwal

9 months ago

in ACT exam

T

TEJ Since 2004

3 years ago

na bro they removed it now. Hyderabad isn't listed due to covid

Reply to TEJ Since 2004

R

Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Thanks for the update Tej.

T

TEJ Since 2004

3 years ago

Why Hyderabad isn't there.

Reply to TEJ Since 2004

its there bruhh

R

Rahul Singha

3 years ago

Hello Tej. Hyderabad is listed as an ACT test centre. Kindly re-check the page.