ACT Exam 2025: Registration, Dates, Requirements, Scores, Fees, Tips & Strategies

The ACT exam is a curriculum-based education and career planning tool for high school students that assesses their eligibility for the best colleges and universities. A brief overview of the ACT test is given below:

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Keeping in mind the rigorous preparation and dedication that the ACT exam demands, you might re-think whether or not to take the test. The ACT test benefits are plenty and worth everything in the end. Let us now have a look at the perks of taking the ACT test:

• ACT Compensates for Low GPA: There might be times when your high school marks do not meet the standards of the college you wish to attend. In such scenarios, a high ACT score can work wonders in impressing the admission committee.
• Evaluates Your Weaknesses & Strengths: The ACT exam can give a fair idea of the subjects that you are good at, and the ones that you need to put more effort into. It always makes you aware of the stream or subjects that best suit your capabilities.
• Scholarships: Who wouldn’t want to earn a scholarship to fund their studies abroad? A high ACT score makes you eligible for different undergraduate merit-based scholarships that are well-funded.

Suggested: Colleges Accepting Low ACT Scores

The ACT exam syllabus is split into the following sections:

• ACT English Section

This section evaluates your proficiency in the English language. It encompasses various aspects, including

1. Usage/Mechanics- Assessing your knowledge of punctuation (e.g., commas, periods), grammar rules, and sentence structure.
2. Rhetorical Skills- Evaluating your ability to effectively develop a topic, organise ideas logically, and select appropriate style and tone in writing.

• ACT Mathematics Section

This segment tests your mathematical skills. It covers a range of math topics, including

1. Algebra/Elementary Algebra- Encompassing operations with numbers, fractions, decimals, and fundamental algebraic concepts.
2. Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry- Focusing on algebraic expressions, equations, functions, and coordinate geometry.
3. Plane Geometry/Trigonometry-Addressing geometric properties, proofs, and introductory trigonometry.

• ACT Reading Section

In this section, you will read passages and answer related questions. These passages fall into four categories:

1. Social Studies- Covering history, psychology, sociology, and more topics.
2. Natural Sciences- Addressing biology, chemistry, physics, and related areas.
3. Literary Narrative or Prose Fiction- Presenting passages from novels, short stories, and personal essays.
4. Humanities- Encompassing fields such as art, music, philosophy, and language.

• ACT Science Section

This section includes scientific data interpretation and reasoning. It consists of three types of passages:

1. Data Representation-  Focusing on the analysis of graphs and tables.
2. Research Summaries- Emphasizing comprehension of experiments and their outcomes.
3. Conflicting Viewpoints- Comparing different scientific hypotheses or perspectives.

• Optional Section

You have the choice to include an optional Writing section.

In this segment, you will write an essay responding to a provided prompt. The primary evaluation centres on your ability to articulate and substantiate your ideas effectively in written form. Remember that thorough preparation for each section is crucial to achieving success on the ACT!

The ACT registration 2025 process is explained as follows:

Registration for International Students

International students must register for the ACT exclusively through the official website. The ACT application process requires students to provide their personal information.

Online Registration Process for the ACT

ACT registrations are conducted online, and students should follow these steps:

• If you plan to take the test at designated ACT test centres in India, start by creating an ACT Web account.

• Select a test date and the centre where you want to take the ACT.

• Create a student profile, complete the application form, and submit the necessary documents.

• You'll receive immediate confirmation of your registration.

• Late registration deadlines usually fall two to three weeks before the test date and involve an additional late fee.

The ACT is administered multiple times throughout the year, typically from September to July. These carefully selected ACT dates align with the application deadlines for colleges and universities during the autumn semester, ensuring that students have ample time to submit their scores as part of their application process:

In February of 2025, Science is included and required for a composite score. For April, June and July of 2025, for online testing only, it will be optional for a composite score.

February: Science Included (required for composite score)
April: Science Optional (online testing only)
June: Science Optional (online testing only)
July: Science Optional (online testing only)

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There is no such set ACT exam eligibility. You may appear for the ACT test irrespective of academic grades and levels. However, it is mostly the fresh high school graduates who take the test to apply for undergraduate courses at the best universities in US and few other countries. Some of the important requirements to apply for the ACT exam are as follows:

• In addition to high school graduates, students in grades 6 through 9 can also take the ACT test.
• Those who wish to take the test before 13 years of age need to reach out to ACT customer support as a MyACT account cannot be created unless the applicant is at least 13 years old.
• The ACT exam must be taken at least 2 months before the university application deadline as it takes two to eight weeks for the results to come out.
• While there are no age requirements to take the exam, the applicant must hold an International Debit or Credit card for ACT registration.
• For ACT exam registration the candidate must have a valid passport as proof of identification.

Note. When it comes to the ACT photo requirements, there are certain guidelines that must be followed:

• Single photo with nobody in the background
• The image should be clear. Blurry or hazy images are strictly not acceptable
• Photo of head and shoulders, squarely facing at the camera
• The picture should be in portrait mode and not landscape mode
• No dark glasses are allowed 
• There should be no filter or emojis, or lenses in the picture
• The maximum file size is 5 MB
• The photo needs to be 640 x 480 pixels
• The face should be aimed at the camera
• Only JPEG, JPG, PNG, or BMP format allowed

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The latest ACT test fee for different particulars are mentioned below:

A few more miscellaneous fees are as follows:

ACT 2025 Admit Card

Candidates can download and print their admit cards from the official website. It's essential to have the admit card when you take the exam. Upon receiving your admission ticket, carefully review it to ensure that your personal details, address, and score recipients are accurate.

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All the four sections of the ACT syllabus is worth 36 points. The ACT score is the average of all the points scored in each section on a scale of 1-36. The scores for the writing section are given individually on a scale of 2-22 points. The average ACT score required for most college applications is 22.

If you opt for the optional Writing component, that will be evaluated on a scale of 2-12. However, your ACT essay score does not impact your overall ACT score.

To have a detailed knowledge of calculating your ACT results check out our blog ACT Score Calculator.

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As it has already been mentioned, one of the most crucial perks of securing a high ACT score is the eligibility to apply for scholarships. ACT scholarships offer upto $90,000 for the ones who have a score between 20 to 25. Some of the popular ACT test scholarships for international students are:

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Remember that preparation is key; starting early and staying consistent with your efforts will greatly increase your chances of success in the ACT exam. Good luck!

Realistic Example - ACT Prep Timeline for July Test:

Here's a possible prep timeline if you're taking the ACT in July:

• June 6th (Registration Deadline): Ensure you are registered for the test by this date.
• May-June: This is a crucial time to focus on practicing and taking practice tests. Aim to take 2-3 full-length practice tests under timed conditions each month. Analyze your mistakes and identify areas where you need improvement.
• April: Devote this month to solidifying your foundational knowledge in English, Math, Reading, and Science. Use prep books, online resources, or ACT prep classes to strengthen your understanding of core concepts.
• March and Before: Start familiarizing yourself with the ACT question formats and test-taking strategies. You can find many resources online and in libraries to help you with this.

To follow up with your upcoming ACT exam, Yocket introduces you to a bundle of ACT prep tips and strategies:

• Create a Study Schedule: Plan a schedule that allows you to cover all topics and practice regularly. Consistency is key.
• Use Official Materials: Utilize official ACT prep materials, such as the ACT website, official practice tests, and The Official ACT Prep Guide. These closely resemble the actual test.
• Identify Weaknesses: Take practice tests to identify your weaknesses. Focus more on areas where you struggle, but don't neglect your strengths entirely.
• Time Management: Time Management is crucial for the ACT. Each section has a strict time limit: English (45 minutes), Math (60 minutes), Reading (35 minutes), and Science (35 minutes). Practice under these time constraints to build pacing and avoid getting stuck on difficult questions.
• Study Resources: Consider using additional study resources such as prep books, online courses, or tutoring if needed. Resources like The Official ACT Prep Guide, Khan Academy's practice questions and subject reviews, and the free practice tests available on the official ACT website may also aid the prep.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with the test format and types of questions.
• Review Mistakes: Analyze your mistakes on practice tests. Understand why you got a question wrong and learn from it.
• Simulate Test Conditions: Take full-length practice tests under timed, exam-like conditions to simulate the actual test day experience.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Get adequate sleep, eat well, and exercise. A healthy lifestyle can improve your cognitive function and focus.
• Test-Taking Strategies: Learn strategies for each section, such as the process of elimination for multiple-choice questions and pacing yourself.
• Review and Repeat: After completing your initial study plan, review and repeat the process, focusing on your weaker areas.

The ACT is often called the "college readiness" test. It helps colleges in the US understand whether you're ready for higher education.  A good ACT score opens doors to the top undergraduate colleges, be it an IVY League or the Oxbridge institutions.  The ACT score is an objective evaluation of your thinking, problem-solving, and time-management skills. To learn more about how to ace the ACT and apply for the top 100 colleges in the US, book a consultation call with our industry experts!

Remember this - a good ACT score is not only going to help you get into a premium university in the US, but it will also lead towards a fulfilling personal growth and career trajectory.