Taking the ACT is a big deal— it’s an important step that will help you determine your best path through high school and into college or the workforce. Use the information below to create the best plan for your goals and where you're at in your high school career, saving you precious time and stress.
Most students tend to take the ACT during their junior and senior years of high school, once they have covered the majority of their core coursework. However, students interested in earning college credit in high school (dual enrollment), enrolling in honors classes, or using scores to guide choices about the high school classes and electives are taking their first ACT in their sophomore year. Carefully evaluate factors like your how you want to use your scores, your level of test readiness, score goals, and your other time commitments to develop a strategic plan that makes the most of your time and effort.
Recognizing that many students take the ACT more than once, a typical path from your first test to getting your highest scores might look something like this:
If you plan on retesting to improve your scores and want to boost your test prep with a deep dive analysis on your past performance, consider purchasing your Test Information Release (TIR).
It entirely depends on your personal situation, schedule, goals, and what you want to get out of the test. This is a key point – the ACT is a tool for you. Use the information you get from the ACT to help you navigate where you want to go and what you want to do. In some respects, the sooner you take the ACT the sooner you can put that information to use, but let’s take a look at the factors you should consider when making your decision.
One of the biggest considerations is your schedule – will you be taking AP exams in the spring? Will your fall schedule be dominated with extracurriculars like sports or performances? Will your summer be packed with vacation, work, or other activities? Do you want to use the ACT to guide the classes you take in high school? If you haven’t already, you’ll quickly discover time is your most precious resource, so determining how and where you spend it should be one of your major considerations.
Start by downloading a free practice test and giving it a try. You’ll get an idea about what the test is like and some insight into how long it might take you to prepare for each section. Once you have this information, you’ll have a better idea about the time you’ll need to dedicate to studying and how it lines up with your availability and the ACT National Test Dates.
Securing scholarships can significantly alleviate the financial burden of college. If you're aiming to take the ACT with ample time to use your scores for scholarship applications, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.
It's crucial to research scholarship application deadlines. Scholarships often have specific submission dates, and some may require ACT scores to be submitted as part of the application. By identifying scholarship opportunities early on, you can determine the ACT test date that will allow you to receive your best scores in time for the application deadline.
An ACT Superscore considers the highest section scores across multiple ACT test attempts to create a new composite score. Many colleges and universities now use superscoring, which can work in your favor by showcasing your strongest performance in each section and potentially increasing your overall ACT score. This approach allows colleges and universities to see your best scores across multiple tests, presenting a more comprehensive and competitive picture of your academic abilities.
If you're aiming to build up a superscore, it's important to plan your ACT test dates strategically. Consider taking the ACT multiple times, allowing yourself ample opportunities to improve your scores in specific sections. By identifying your weaker areas and dedicating focused study time, you can target improvement and increase your chances of achieving a higher superscore.
Timing is crucial when working towards a superscore. Taking the ACT earlier in high school will allow for multiple attempts. By starting early, you can gauge your initial performance, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and devise a tailored study plan.
Remember to check the superscoring policies of your target colleges and universities, as they may differ. Understanding these policies can help you strategically plan your ACT test dates to align with your superscoring goals.
While the test is most commonly associated with junior and senior years, students may choose to take the ACT earlier based on some of the goals discussed above. Below are some additional considerations associated with taking the ACT as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.