Like the SAT, the ACT (American College Testing) is designed for use in the college admissions process. The test is now accepted by all four-year colleges across the US.

The ACT, first developed in 1959, tests students’ knowledge of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, and also includes an optional Writing section (required by many colleges). Like the SAT, college admissions officers review ACT scores in conjunction with students’ high school grades and, to a lesser extent, personal recommendations and extracurricular activities.

A multiple-choice test except for the optional essay section, the ACT takes 2 hours and 55 minutes without the Writing section and 3 hours 25 minutes with the Writing section (excluding breaks). The highest possible ACT score is a 36.

The ACT tests what students have learned in the classroom. Some students find it to be a slightly more straightforward test than the SAT, which aims to test reasoning skills as well as knowledge.

To make sure you score as well as possible on your exam, it’s a good idea to be familiar with ACT structure and how your test is scored.