ACT Test Description

---

The ACT is a nationally standardized exam produced by ACT, Inc., to stand in contrast with the SAT Reasoning Test. The ACT test is derived from the curriculum taught in middle and high schools throughout the United States. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. accept ACT Scores as an alternative to the SAT Reasoning Test. Some university systems including the California State University and the University of California, compare prospective students' ACT scores to an eligibility index to decide who meets university requirements. The ACT includes 4 area subjects: English, Mathematics, Reading and an optional half an hour writing test. Applicants of University of California schools must take the writing test of the ACT in order to be accepted. Each section has a subscore ranged from 1 to 18, which indirectly form the composite score ranges from 1 to 36. The writing test subscore is combined with English to fit within the 36 score maximum but the subscores are separated on the test report. The ACT is offered in California 6 times a year.

ACT Registration & Fees

Students can register for ACT Testing using online registration or by mail. To request a registration packet to be mailed to your home, please visit the ACT Registration Packet Request Form. The regular registration fee to take the ACT is $30.00, with the writing section the total will be $44.50. During the late registration period an additional $19.00 is required to register. After the late registration deadline the last option, standby testing, adds $39.50 plus the original test fee. Standby Testers are not guaranteed to have a seat. For listings of fees for elective services please visit 2007-2008 ACT Fees. ACT, Inc. offers fee waivers to Junior and Seniors that come from a low income family. Fee waivers are obtained from high school counselors depending on district and school eligibility policies.

ACT Test Day

On ACT Test Days students should bring their ACT admission ticket, photo identification, No. 2 pencils and a calculator. Testing ordinarily begins at 8:00AM, students should arrive on time at the test center to be seated. The Test is 3 hours long (4 hours with the writing test) and students are normally dismissed around 12:15PM (1:00PM for ACT plus writing). ACT Test centers admit standby testers on a first come first serve basis only after pre-registered students have been seated. Standby testers are not guaranteed to be able to test.

ACT Timeline 2007–2008

MESA has prepared an unofficial schedule for student to view the timeline for each ACT Testing Date. Although these dates, except for the "Paper mailed", were taken from the ACT, Inc. site, they may not be synchronized with ACT, Inc dates. For more official dates please check the 2007-2008 ACT Test Dates and ACT Score information - Viewing Scores.

Registration Deadlines		Test Date	Scores available by
Regular	Late With Late Fee		Online Estimate*	Paper Mailed Estimate*
Aug. 12th, 2008	Aug. 22nd, 2008	Sep. 13th, 2008	Sep. 24th, 2008	Oct. 13 - Nov. 10, 2008
Sep. 19th, 2008	Oct. 3rd, 2008	Oct. 25th, 2008	Nov 12, 2008	Nov 24 - Dec 22, 2008
Nov. 7th, 2008	Nov. 20th, 2008	Dec. 13th, 2008	Dec. 24th, 2008	Jan 12 - Feb 9, 2009
Jan. 6th, 2009	Jan. 16th, 2009	Feb. 7th, 2009	Feb. 18th, 2009	Mar. 9 - Apr. 6, 2009
Feb. 27th, 2009	Mar. 13th, 2009	Apr. 4th, 2009	Apr. 15th, 2009	May 4 - May 25, 2009
May 8th, 2009	May 22nd, 2009	Jun. 13th, 2009	Jun. 24th, 2009	Jul. 23 - Aug. 10, 2009

* Dates for ACT scores Online begin being available, not all scores will be accessible by this time.
** ACT expects to begin distributing ACT score reports by mail "within 4-7 weeks after each test date."

The University of California system uses an eligibility index to evaluate prospective students for admissibility to the university.
The California State University uses their own eligibility index to determine admission to their university.