ACT 2021

ACT short for American College Testing, is a standardised test that is accepted by most US Universities. It is one of the major parameters that determine the admission of a student to most universities and colleges across the United States. ACT checks the readiness of high school students for admissions to US colleges and universities including Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Southern California, etc. ACT is administered by a non-profit organization named ACT Inc. and is conducted 6 times in a year for international cities and 7 times for national cities.

The test is accepted by all 4-year universities and colleges in the US as well as more than 225 universities outside the United States. As per the ACT profile report, every year, over 2 million students take up the ACT test. The test centres of the ACT are mainly career schools, local high schools, colleges and universities among other locations.

ACT COVID-19 Updates

ACT is keeping tabs on all the current happenings related to the pandemic and adopting measures to ensure a hassle-free ACT registration and testing. Find the latest updates below:

• The registration site is officially reopened. However, the ACT test can be cancelled at any time because of any reason at a specific location.

• In case the ACT registration status is changed before test day the same will be communicated to the test taker via email. The candidate will be able to check the status of the test on their respective MyACT account.

• Policies have been updated following the same issued by local officials and CDC guidance to provide social distancing instruction at ACT test centres. 

• Examinees will be asked about various health and wellness questions during the check-in process at an ACT test centre. If an examinee affirms to any of them, he/she can make a test date change at no cost.

ACT or the American College Testing is accepted for undergraduate admissions by the universities and colleges in the United States. Commonly, the ACT is taken by all high school graduates aspiring to pursue undergraduate programmes across different institutions in the US, this also includes those students who have completed their secondary education in other countries. 

Institutions rely on ACT for admission to undergraduate programmes as they cannot be familiar with the academic rigour of all the schools in America and secondary schools in other countries. ACT is one common data point that is used to compare all the applicants.

Alo Read: SAT vs. ACT. Know Which One is Right For You?

ACT is administered across different test centres in different parts of the world. In the US, Puerto Rico and US Territories, it is conducted through seven annual test dates, one each in the month of September, October, December, February, April, June and July, every year. Internationally, ACT can be taken six times a year, i.e. in September, October, December, February, April, and June. Testing is always held on Saturdays unless the student has some religious restrictions. In such cases, students can take the exam on Sundays. Each student gets 12 attempts to appear for the ACT test.

1. What is an ACT Test? 

An ACT is a standardised test conducted for the purpose of admissions to undergraduate degree programmes at various universities and colleges of the United States.

2. Why should I take the ACT? 

The ACT is conducted to ensure the readiness of a student to join the college and universities in the US. If the US institute where you wish to take admission to pursue undergraduate studies does not accept an ACT score then you must attempt an SAT test. 

3. Who conducts the ACT?

The ACT is conducted by a non-profit organization called the ACT Inc.

4. How many times in a year is ACT conducted?

Internationally, the ACT is conducted six times a year. In Puerto Rico and the US, the test is conducted 7 times. 

5. Is it mandatory to take the ACT to enrol in a bachelor’s degree programme at US universities?

You must either take the ACT or SAT entrance test to take admission in a bachelor’s degree programme. The ACT is specially designed for admissions to undergraduate degree programmes at US universities. You can confirm the eligibility criteria of the specific institute and course before attempting the ACT.

6. Who should take the ACT?

ACT must be taken by any student who wants to pursue an undergraduate degree from a college or university in the United States. There is no specific eligibility criteria for ACT. 

7. How many times can I attempt the ACT 2021? 

You can attempt the ACT 2021 up to 12 times. 

8. What is the MyACT account?

A candidate's MyACT account is created on the official website of ACT to register for tests, view scores, send score reports, download admit cards etc. All details related to candidates taking the ACT can be checked on their respective MyACT account.

9. What are the guidelines to appear for ACT 2021?

Test takers and everyone present at the ACT test centre must wear a mask, maintain social distancing, undergo screening and maintain personal hygiene for safety.