How Long Is the ACT With Writing? (2023)

FAQs

How Long Is the ACT With Writing? ›

While overall the ACT® experience is between 4 and 5 hours, the actual test itself is 2 hours and 55 minutes or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the writing position. So, the 4-5 hour time frame incorporates all the accounted breaks throughout this long exam.

The ACT is 3 hours long (technically 2 hours and 55 minutes). Including breaks, the exam takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. If you sign up for the optional essay (the ACT Plus Writing), the test clocks in at 3 hours and 40 minutes or just over 4 hours with breaks.

National Ranks for ELA and Writing Test Scores

For example, the national rank for a writing score of 9 is 96. This means that 96 percent of recent high school graduates who took the ACT writing test achieved a writing score of 9 or lower.

It depends: you have just under three hours to complete the ACT without writing. With writing, you have over 3.5 to complete the test. If you qualify for extended time, you have 4.5 hours to complete the test without writing and 5.5 hours with writing.

The average ACT Writing score is between 6 and a 7 on the scale. You will need a score of 8 or above for getting admission to selective universities—however, scores of 10, 11, and 12 stand out and present excellent writing abilities.

It is scored differently.

Further, because the ACT Writing Test is optional, it is scored separately from the other sections and does not affect your ACT composite score (out of 36). This means that if you've been wondering, “Can the ACT Writing hurt your score,” you can rest easy: the answer is no.

The SAT is made up of 154 questions, while the ACT has 215. The SAT requires more writing and problem solving, offering students more time to complete each section. The ACT questions, however, are more straightforward and require less time to answer.

The ACT Writing Test is scored on a scale of 2 (lowest score) to 12 (highest score). The average ACT Writing score is between a 6 and 7.

If a school accepts ACT Writing, that means they'll review your essay score if you take and send it. However, it's not something they're hugely interested in, and it may not have much or any impact on your application, even if your score is particularly high or low.

Taking the writing test does not affect your subject area scores or your Composite score. However, without a writing test score, no English Language Arts (ELA) score will be reported.

Has the ACT gotten harder? ›

Relatively speaking, the ACT has gotten “harder” over the years. As students start to do better on ACT, the test-makers gradually adjust the difficulty level of the test. And students have gotten better. In 1970, the average composite score nationwide was 18.6.

4) You can retake the Essay (“Writing” section)!

This will just count as one of your up-to-three sections to retest. You could retake JUST the Writing, or the Writing, Math + Reading, for example. Or, just multiple-choice sections.

ACT Test Options and Prices

Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). You may add or remove the writing test through the late deadline in MyACT.

A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid! Considering those things, it's easy to say that a 27 ACT score is good.

Unsurprisingly, the trend is pretty consistent, and the takeaway is clear: if you want ACT scores that are competitive with the Yale average or the Harvard average, you're aiming for roughly a 34 composite.

A score of 23 on the ACT is above the current national average and will make you a strong applicant at many universities, but it may fall below the average score for accepted students at more selective colleges. The higher your ACT score, the more options are open to you. Read on to learn more about ACT scores.

The absolute minimum ACT score you can get is a 1, although this is very unlikely to happen. You might be more worried about getting a score high enough to get into college.

98th percentile: A 32 ACT score is above the national average. This score is excellent for most Ivy League universities. So if you are wondering, 'is 32 a good ACT score' to get into any of the highly selective Ivy League colleges, you should know that this score is sufficient to stand out among your competitors.

Earning an 18 on the ACT puts you at the 38th percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 38% of all test takers.

Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

Is the math easier or harder on the ACT? ›

The ACT tests slightly more complex, more advanced math. Both exams test almost identical mathematical material. You need a strong grasp on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry to thrive. And the New SAT has added some of the advanced concepts formerly reserved only for the ACT.

Our advice? If you struggle with interconnected questions or having concrete reasons for selecting a certain answer, you may find the ACT easier since it's Reading section doesn't include these types of questions.

Many students who are applying to the most selective colleges and universities aim for a 34 or higher on the ACT, and may retake the test if they get below a 32. However there are many, many other excellent schools that are not as competitive and accept students with lower ACT scores.

The writing test complements the English and reading sections really well, so if you're aiming for a higher score, we suggest taking the ACT with the writing portion.

At the least, shoot for an 8+ overall score for a “good” ACT Writing score. A score of 9+ is an ideal score for applications to selective schools.

If you choose to submit standardized tests, you may submit the SAT or ACT (with or without the writing component). While the College Board no longer offers Subject Tests and they are not a requirement for applying, you may submit Subject Tests taken in the last 5 years.

For those students who would like standardized test scores considered as part of their application materials, students may submit the SAT or ACT (with or without writing). You may self report your SAT and ACT test scores as well as Advanced Placement or other scores.

When it comes to the GPA and the ACT, students often wonder which one is more important. Although college admissions officers often say that they give much more weight to a student's GPA, even they will admit that your ACT score is of considerable importance.

In short, improving your ACT Reading score will bump up your average composite score. And improving your ACT composite score, even by just 5 points, can make a huge difference in your chances of getting into your target colleges.

Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.

Which month is the ACT easier? ›

Origin of the Myth

But here's the thing: While there were studies done that showed higher scores in one month than another, those months changed year to year. First experts would cry “December is easiest! Take it in December!” and a few years later they'd swear “May is by far easier!”

In 2021, 38 percent of ACT test takers failed to meet any of the benchmarks. “Academic preparedness is where we are seeing the decline,” said Rose Babington. She is senior director for state partnerships for the ACT.

A 29 ACT score puts you in the 91st percentile — that means you scored higher than 91% of all test takers. That's a brilliant accomplishment and you should be proud!

According to the ACT website, 43 percent of students take the ACT again, and more than half of those students earn higher scores.

Retaking an exam will certainly not hinder your college chances. With adequate preparation, your score will typically increase — and that will make you even more competitive in the admissions process. And with superscoring, colleges probably won't even consider your lower scores. One-and-done is done.

Getting a lower score on a retake won't affect college admission. Luckily, some schools do not require you to send all of your scores if you don't want to. Your chances of getting into you dream school aren't ruined just because of a score decrease.

What if I don't feel well on test day? If you don't feel well, please stay home! If you did not test, you can go into your MyACT account and make a test date change. If you are unable to make the change through your account, please contact ACT.

Nothing can be more nerve-racking than waiting for your ACT score to come out. Getting a passing ACT score, as most students believe, can spell the difference between attending your dream school and going to a school you don't like. There are no passing ACT scores. Likewise, there are no failing ACT scores.

Use your My Colleges tab to double check the standardized test policy for each of your colleges. If your colleges do not require "ACT with Essay" or "SAT with Essay", you do not need to report your writing scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35. In other words, a 33 places you below average, while a 35 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Yale, but they really want to see at least a 33 to have a chance at being considered.

How do you go from 27 to 30 on the ACT? ›

To get a 30, you must score highly on all four sections of the exam (excluding Writing). Specifically, you'll need to get at least a 30 on two sections and a composite score of 29.5 (which rounds to 30) or higher. This means you can only miss a handful of questions on each section.

Harvard College is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 4%. Students that get into Harvard College have an ACT score of 34–36. Regular applications are due January 1.

The average ACT score of Harvard-accepted students is 33. Although Harvard claims there is no minimum ACT score, if you apply with a 29 or lower, you'll have difficulty getting in. So, to get into Harvard, it is important to note the different Harvard University requirements for test scores.

There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 33 to have a chance at being considered.

Generally speaking, it's best to aim for an ACT composite score that's in the 75th percentile or above – this means a score of at least 24. However, a score that's "good" for you may not be the same as for somebody else – your ACT score goal will vary based on your college, scholarship, and career goals for the future.

A 31 ACT score will earn you plenty of merit-based scholarship and aid.

A 32 ACT score puts you at the 97th percentile — that means you scored higher than 97% all test takers!

As you can see from this table, the mean, or average, score on the ACT Writing section is 6. It's a good idea to aim for at least the 75th percentile, so in this case a good ACT writing score would be an 8 or above. A 9 or above would put you in the 96th percentile, which is great!

ACT Test Scores: Writing. Taking the ACT with writing will provide you and the schools to which you have ACT report scores with additional scores.

Is it worth taking ACT Writing? ›

A Good ACT Writing Score Can Boost Your Chances of Admission—Slightly. Even if a school doesn't require the test, a high score on the ACT Writing may give your application a slight boost, since it serves as an indication of strong writing and analysis abilities.

If a school accepts ACT Writing, that means they'll review your essay score if you take and send it. However, it's not something they're hugely interested in, and it may not have much or any impact on your application, even if your score is particularly high or low.

The average ACT score is 20.

The 25th percentile score is 15, and the 75th percentile score is 24. This means that if you got 15, you'd have scored the same as or better than 25% of all test takers. Meanwhile, the 75th percentile means you scored better than 75% of test takers.

All that considered, yes, 32 is a good ACT score. To show you just how good, we have to look at the percentiles. A 32 ACT score puts you at the 97th percentile — that means you scored higher than 97% all test takers!

Whatever the format, the ACT contains the same sections: English, math, reading, and science. However, there's one optional section that not all students are required to take: writing.

Your score in the writing section will not affect your scores on the multiple-choice or your Composite score. The writing section is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills—specifically, writing skills taught in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

A GPA has always been an important part of the university admissions process in the United States. According to a 2020 study, high school GPA is a better predictor of college graduation than ACT scores.

Most college admissions officers—the people who are evaluating your ACT score in the context of your application—are intellectuals themselves, and they tend to value intellect in their applicants. For this reason they are more likely to dismiss less-than-desirable grades when accompanied by a high ACT score.

The ACT Writing section is optional, but, if you sign up for it, that doesn't mean you should wing it! Colleges and universities will see you're taking the extra step to take this portion of the exam, but they'll also want to see you score well. So succeeding on the writing section of the ACT is a must.

An average score on the current ACT Writing Exam is a a 6.5. For highly selective colleges, you'll want a score of 8 or higher. Scores of 10, 11, and 12 truly stand out and highlight strong writing skills.