What is the ACT?
The ACT (American College Testing) is a major standardized test used for college admissions in the U.S. Unlike the SAT, which leans toward logic and reasoning, the ACT is more curriculum-based, measuring a student’s mastery of high school subjects and their ability to work under time pressure.
What Does the ACT Cover?
The New ACT consists of three "Core Mandatory" sections and two "Optional" sections:
|
Section |
Content Focus |
Number of Questions & Time |
|
English |
Everything You Need to Know About the ACT |
50 Questions / 35 Minutes |
|
Math |
Algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry. |
45 Questions / 50 Minutes |
|
Reading |
Social studies, natural sciences, humanities, and literary narrative. |
36 Questions / 40 Minutes |
|
Science |
(Optional) Evaluates reasoning and analytical skills in the natural sciences. |
40 Questions / 35 Minutes |
|
Writing |
(Optional) An essay analyzing complex social issues. |
41 Question / 40 Minutes |
Notes:
The "New ACT" features a shorter test duration, fewer questions, and most notably—the Science section has become optional. These changes allow students to focus more intensely on demonstrating their core academic strengths.
The "New ACT" features a shorter test duration, fewer questions, and most notably—the Science section has become optional. These changes allow students to focus more intensely on demonstrating their core academic strengths.
Top 3 Advantages of the New ACT
- More Time per Question: With a significant reduction in the total number of questions, the average time allotted per question has increased. This allows students to think more critically and drastically reduces the risk of leaving questions unanswered.
- Reduced Testing Fatigue: The total testing time has been cut from 3 hours to approximately 2 hours. This shorter duration helps students maintain peak focus and mental clarity from the first section to the last.
- Strategic Flexibility: The new format offers greater choice. If you are stronger in the humanities, you can opt out of the Science section and focus entirely on excelling in English, Math, and Reading to achieve a competitive composite score.
How to Register for the ACT Exam?
For international students (including Taiwan), the ACT is administered as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Here is the registration process:
- Create Your Account: Visit the official MyACT website and create your student profile.
- Select Date & Location: There are 7 National Test Dates Schedule (February, April, June, July, September, October and December) annually for international sites. Seats are limited, so book 2 months in advance.
- Upload Photo: Upload a clear, compliant headshot for your Admission Ticket.
- Complete Payment: Finalize your registration by paying the fee via credit card.
Do I choose ACT?
If you are a fast reader who prefers straightforward academic questions, the ACT might be your best bet. Students who excel in science and are comfortable analyzing data tend to thrive in the ACT’s Science section, which can be a significant score booster.