ACT (American College Testing)

Alternative Path to US University Admissions

The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Since the 2025-26 enhanced ACT, the core test is English, Math and Reading (about 2 hours), with Science and Writing as optional add-ons. International students take it online at authorized test centres.

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Maximum Score

2h 05m

Core Test Duration

International Sittings / Year

$188.50

Intl. Fee (Core Test)

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What is ACT?

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. The enhanced ACT, rolled out from April 2025 (online) and September 2025 (paper, US only), is shorter than the old test: the core exam has three sections — English, Math and Reading — and takes about 2 hours 5 minutes with 131 questions. Science is now an optional fourth section and Writing remains an optional essay. The ACT is accepted by all US colleges and universities as an equivalent alternative to the SAT.

Why is ACT Important?

The ACT is equally valued by US universities alongside the SAT. Its questions are more direct and less analytical than the SAT’s, the reading passages are longer but the questions are more straightforward, and a calculator is allowed on the entire Math section. Because the Composite no longer includes Science, students who are strong in English, Math and Reading but weaker in data interpretation now have a cleaner path to a high score. A strong ACT score can improve admission chances and scholarship opportunities.

Who Should Take ACT?

High school students planning to study in the US should consider the ACT, especially if they prefer direct questions, want a shorter test, or want the option of showing science reasoning separately for STEM programs. Outside the US the ACT is delivered online only, so students should be comfortable testing on a computer. Taking a full-length practice test for both SAT and ACT is the best way to decide.

ACT Test Format

Understanding the test structure is the first step to effective preparation

English

35 minutes 50 questions

Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills through short passages.

Mathematics

50 minutes 45 questions

Algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and some trigonometry. Calculator allowed throughout. Questions now have four answer choices instead of five.

Reading

40 minutes 36 questions

Passages from prose fiction, social science, humanities and natural science with direct comprehension questions.

Science (Optional)

40 minutes 40 questions

Optional add-on. Tests interpretation of data, graphs and experiments. Reported separately (1-36) and combined with Math into a STEM score; not part of the Composite.

Writing (Optional)

40 minutes 1 essay

Optional essay analysing multiple perspectives on an issue. Scored 2-12, reported separately.

Total Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes (core: English + Math + Reading). About 2 hours 45 minutes with Science, and about 3 hours 25 minutes with both Science and Writing.

Scoring: English, Math and Reading are each scored 1-36 and the Composite is the average of these three. Science (if taken) is scored 1-36 and reported separately, plus a STEM score (average of Math and Science). Writing (if taken) is scored 2-12. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

Adaptive Testing: The ACT is linear, not adaptive — every student sees the same difficulty. Outside the US it is delivered online at test centres on ACT’s testing platform; paper testing is available only in the US.

ACT Scoring

Understanding how the test is scored helps you set realistic targets

Score Scale

Composite Score Range (English + Math + Reading)1-36

English1-36

Math1-36

Reading1-36

Science (optional, reported separately)1-36

STEM Score (Math + Science, if Science taken)1-36

Writing (optional)2-12

Score Benchmarks

Average Score: ~19-20

(US national average Composite)

Good Score: 24+

(competitive for most universities)

Excellent Score: 30+

(competitive for top universities)

Top Score: 33+

(competitive for Ivy League)

ACT Test Dates & Registration

Test Frequency

7 international sittings per year (September, October, December, February, April, June, July). Each international sitting runs over a Friday-Saturday window, online at authorized test centres.

Registration

Register on MyACT (my.act.org) about 4-5 weeks before the test. International registration closes roughly four weeks before the test date; late registration (extra $42) closes about two weeks before. Choose whether to add Science and/or Writing at registration. Fee includes score reports to you, your school and up to 4 colleges.

Results

Multiple-choice scores are typically released 2-8 weeks after the test date via your MyACT account; Writing scores take about 5-8 weeks.

Score Validity

ACT scores do not expire, but most universities want scores from the last 5 years.

Test Centers

Outside the US the ACT is online only, taken on a computer at an ACT-authorized test centre. India has centres in major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata; seats are limited, so register early.

ACT Fees & Costs (2026-27)

Complete fee breakdown including registration, rescheduling, and additional services

Service	Fee
International: ACT core (English, Math, Reading) Fee for students testing outside the US, including India	$188.50 (₹17,870)
International: ACT + Science	$198.50 (₹18,820)
International: ACT + Writing	$213.50 (₹20,240)
International: ACT + Science + Writing	$223.50 (₹21,190)
Science Add-on / Writing Add-on International prices; in the US Science is +$5 and Writing +$25	+$10 / +$25
Late Registration	+$42 (₹3,980)
Test Date or Centre Change	$49 (₹4,645)
Additional Score Reports (5th+)	$20 each (₹1,896)
US students (for reference) US-only pricing; paper testing available in the US only	$70 core / $75 + Science / $95 + Writing / $100 all

Fees are subject to change. Verify current fees on the official test website before registering.

ACT Exam Dates 2026-27

Upcoming ACT test dates with registration deadlines

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Deadline	Notes
October 23-24, 2026	September 25, 2026	October 9, 2026	Scores from October 29
December 11-12, 2026	November 13, 2026	November 27, 2026	Scores from December 17
February 12-13, 2027	January 15, 2027	January 29, 2027	Scores from February 18
April 2-3, 2027	March 5, 2027	March 19, 2027	Scores from April 8
June 11-12, 2027	May 14, 2027	May 28, 2027	Scores from June 17
July 9-10, 2027	June 11, 2027	June 25, 2027	Scores from July 15

Dates are subject to change. Check the official ACT website for the latest schedule.

ACT Preparation Tips

Expert tips to help you prepare effectively for the ACT

Decide early whether you need the optional Science section — many STEM programs like to see it, most others do not require it

Practise on a computer: outside the US the ACT is online only, so get used to the on-screen tools and highlighter

Take official enhanced-format practice tests — old 215-question ACT papers have the wrong timing and five-choice math

Pacing is still the challenge: about 42 seconds per English question and 67 seconds per Math question

Read passages actively — ACT Reading questions are direct, so speed and accuracy matter more than deep analysis

Use a calculator you know well; it is allowed on the whole Math section

Consider Writing only if a target school recommends it — very few now require it

Official Resources

Official

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Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in the enhanced ACT?

From 2025 the ACT is shorter: the core test is English (35 min, 50 Q), Math (50 min, 45 Q) and Reading (40 min, 36 Q) — about 2 hours 5 minutes in total. Science (40 min, 40 Q) is now optional and no longer part of the Composite, Math questions have four choices instead of five, and reading passages are shorter. Writing stays optional. All international testing is online.

Is Science still part of the ACT Composite?

No. The Composite is now the average of English, Math and Reading only. If you add Science you receive a separate Science score (1-36) and a STEM score (average of Math and Science). Check whether your target programs, especially STEM majors, want to see a Science score before you decide to skip it.

ACT vs SAT — which is easier?

Neither is inherently easier. Both are now around 2 hours (ACT core 2h 05m, SAT 2h 14m) and allow a calculator on all Math. The ACT asks more direct questions with longer reading passages; the SAT is adaptive and more analytical. Take a practice test for each and compare percentiles.

Do all US universities accept the ACT?

Yes, all US colleges and universities accept the ACT equally alongside the SAT. There is no preference for one over the other, and most superscore both.

Can I take the ACT on paper in India?

No. Outside the US the ACT is delivered online only, on a computer at an ACT-authorized test centre. Paper testing is available only at US test centres. Practise on-screen so the format is familiar.

Should I take the ACT Writing section?

Only if a target school requires or recommends it — very few do now. It adds 40 minutes and $25, and the score (2-12) is reported separately from your Composite.

Can I superscore the ACT?

Yes. ACT reports a superscore automatically once you have taken the test more than once, and many colleges accept it (best English, Math and Reading across dates). Check each university’s policy.

When should I take the ACT?

Most students first take the ACT in the spring of Grade 11. For Indian students that usually means the February or April international sitting, leaving the June, July, September or October dates for a retake before Early Decision deadlines in November.