What is ACT?
The full form of ACT is American College Testing. It is conducted by ACT, Inc!
The ACT is a standardized test that is administered by the non-profit ACT to ascertain the college readiness of a high school student. It is for the students who want to join various under graduation courses. It is developed to evaluate the aspirant’s knowledge in various aspects like written, verbal and mathematical skills.
SLLYABUS FOR ACT 2020
Syllabus for ACT exam consists of four tests including English, Reading, Maths and Science. Writing test is completely optional and up to the will of the candidates. American College Testing examines the knowledge gained by the applicant during the schooling years that will help them get into leading Educational Institutional Groups.
English:
The English test can be subdivided into three sections and their specified weightage.
- Writing Production (29-32%): It evaluates the comprehension of the purpose of a piece of writing. Further, it also examines the focus along with how correctly you get the written pattern that includes topic development, cohesion and organizing skills of the candidate
- Proficiency of Language (13-19%): These questions are built to check your language usage. It looks closely at the precise choice of tone, words and style of the applicant
- Conventions of Standard English (51-56%): It evaluates the command over sentence formation and structure, usage of grammar, punctuation. It also analyses the mechanics of the candidate to edit the text and spot the errors
Reading:
The Reading test can be further divided into three parts.
- Significant Details and Ideas (55-60%): It requires the students to determine theme, essence and idea of the text, analyze relationships, summarise information aptly, draw consequences, logical inferences and conclusions
- Structure and Craft (25-30%): This section asks students to understand the thought process of the author. Students are expected to comprehend the perspective, purpose, choice of words and point of view based on the mentioned information
- Integration of Ideas and Knowledge (13-18%): It evaluates the candidates on how they differentiate between opinions and facts, claim an argument using reasoning and use evidence to identify different and related texts
Maths:
The maths test is subdivided into two sections mentioned below.
- Essential Skills (40-43%): It involves complex problems such as proportional relationships, rates and percentages, surface area, area, volume, median, average and expressing numbers in different ways. The key topic in this section is Modelling. It tests how to use modelling skills to tackle mathematical problems
- Higher Mathematics (57-60%): It includes basic topics such as Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Statistics and Probability and Geometry. Mentioned below are important topics an aspirant must study for this section
Number & Quantity – Numerical quantity reasoning, real and complex number systems, rational exponents, Integers, Matrices and Vectors
Algebra – Polynomial, Linear, exponential relationships, Radical, Multiple types of expressions, Graphs and Simple matrix equations
Functions – Notations, Linear, Definitions, Representations and application, Radical, polynomial, Piecewise, Logarithmic functions along with graphical representations
Geometry – Surface area, Shapes, Volume, Circles, Missing values in triangles and other shapes, Equations of the conic sections and Trigonometric ratios
Statistics and Probability – Bivariate data, Data collection methods, Sample space and distributions and Probabilities
Science:
The science test is divided into three sections:
- Scientific Investigation (20-30%): It involves procedures, experimental tools, controls, variables, design, extensions, comparisons and modifications related to the field of science.
- Interpretation of Data (45 -50%): It consists of analysis and manipulation of scientific data, graphs, tables and diagrams
- Experimental Models, Inferences and Results (25 – 35%): The section involves judgment of scientific information; predictions based on the scientific phenomenon and formulate conclusions
Writing:
The writing of the candidate will be judged on:
- Analysis and Ideas: The students will be judged on their generation and engagement with the topic. Critical views and ideas of the candidates will be examined
- Support and Development: The way of presenting discussions, arguments, ideas and instances are checked. The ability of the writer to stimulate the reader’s mind is measured here
- Organization: The candidate’s ability to organize the article in a manner that engages the audience, the sequence of events, the series of facts, their relations and explanations etc. are analysed
- Language Usage: The level of language used by the writer is tested. It is essential for the aspirants to keep in mind the language clarity, words usage, style, grammar and tone to communicate efficiently and effectively
FEES:
ACT (no writing)
$150.00
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register).
ACT with writing
$166.50
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). The $16.50 writing test fee is refundable on written request if you are absent on test day or switch to ACT (no writing) before testing begins.
Score reports for 5th and 6th college choices
$13.00 (price is for each)
Request online before the test date. Refundable on written request if you do not test!
Late registration
$35.00
Registration or test date change made during the late period for a non-US test date.
Test date change
$35.00
For different date only if absent or unable to test on the original date or if registration is cancelled for failure to meet ACT test security requirements. You must pay the change fee. If you request a date change after the regular deadline for the new date, you must also pay the late registration fee.
Test centre change (same test date)
$35.00
EXAM PATTERN FOR ACT
ACT assigns higher importance to curriculum-based learning inside school instead of just raw aptitude, as compared to the SAT. It tests you on areas related to English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. The endurance of the individual is tested along with the knowledge, as the test stretches for around 3 hours in total. You can add 40 minutes to the total time if you have opted for a writing essay too.
The test comprises of 215 multiple choice questions. No negative marking is there, so intelligent guessing is recommended.
Subject: English
Number of Questions & Time Limit: 75 questions in 45 mins
Content/Skills Covered: grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style
Question Types: four-choice, multiple-choice usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills questions
Subject: Maths
Number of Questions & Time Limit: 60 questions in 60 mins
Content/Skills Covered: pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry
Question Types: five-choice, multiple-choice questions
Subject: Reading
Number of Questions & Time Limit: 40 questions in 35 mins
Content/Skills Covered: reading comprehension of what is directly stated or implied
Question Types: four-choice, multiple-choice referring and reasoning questions
Subject: Science
Number of Questions & Time Limit: 40 questions in 35 mins
Content/Skills Covered: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving
Question Types: four-choice, multiple-choice data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints questions Subject: Writing (Optional)
Number of Questions & Time Limit: 1 essay in 40 mins
Content/Skills Covered: writing skills
Question Types: essay prompt
ACT EXAM DATES 2020-2021:
Test Date: 9-10 October 2020
Registration Deadline: 18th September 2020
Late Fee Required: 18th September 2020-2nd October 2020
Test Date: 16-17 April 2021
Registration Deadline: 26th March 2021
Late Fee Required: 27th March 2021-9th April 2021
Test Date: 11-12 June 2021
Registration Deadline: 21st May 2021
Late Fee Required: 22nd May 2021 – 4th June 2021
Test Date: 16-17 July 2021
Registration Deadline: 25th June 2021
Late Fee Required: 26th June 2021-9th July 2021
Dates Courtesy: http://www.act.org
ACT Test Centres in India:
ACT Test Centres can be located by visiting www.act.org
It is advisable to book the best slot/centre combination as early as possible.