Why Take the ACT?
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Math, Reading and Science. The ACT includes a little over 200 multiple-choice questions and takes under four hours to complete which includes a short break. The ACT test has been created by a not-for-profit organization governed by educators. ACT is committed to providing services at the lowest possible cost which is currently $39.50. Fortunately, a perk of being a UB member your student is given two ACT fee waiver forms. UB students are able to use the waivers whenever they choose as long as they register for the ACT test before the registration deadline.
Besides having the opportunity to take the ACT twice, for free, there are many good reasons for your student to take the ACT during their high school career. Your student has prepared to take the test during their Junior and Senior year by taking similar tests in Middle School and the PLAN or ASPIRE test during their sophomore year.
A huge perk to taking the test is due to it being universally accepted by college admissions and accepted by all 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S. Most colleges and institutions require students applying to their institution to provide an ACT score to even be considered for acceptance.
Your student has already been preparing to take the ACT! The ACT multiple-choice tests are curriculum based and directly related to what your student has learned in their high school core classes; English, math, science, reading. This allows students to properly begin studying and preparing throughout their daily high school classwork. Even though the test is based on high school curriculum it is important for students who are eager to earn a specific score on the test to take extra time and study for the test, especially in the areas where they need improvement. Another perk to the ACT is that students who earn high scores on the test have big scholarship opportunities!
It is vital for your student to take the ACT because it is more than a test. In addition to the actual multiple-choice questions, the ACT provides information for career and educational planning that matches the student’s profile section. Along with the profile, the ACT also looks at the student’s content scores to find strengths. These strengths are then matched with certain career areas.
Throughout your student’s time with Upward Bound the importance of preparing for the ACT is stressed. ACT test prep information may be found at actstudent.org/testprep. Once you and your student visits the website you will find ACT Online Prep, an ACT Prep Guide, practice test questions, test tips and test descriptions.
So, go ahead and get started – the December test registration deadline is November 6th!
