The ACT is a standardized test primarily used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses high school students' mastery of college readiness standards across four main academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. There is also an optional writing (essay) section. The test is designed to measure general educational development and the capability to complete college-level work, with scores providing an indicator of college readiness
. The ACT was first introduced in 1959 as the American College Test and has evolved over time to better reflect skills relevant to postsecondary education. It is a curriculum-based achievement test rather than an aptitude test, focusing on what students have learned in school. The test is multiple- choice except for the optional writing section and is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 for each of the four main sections, with a composite score calculated as the average
. The test typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes without the writing section, and about 3 hours and 35 minutes with it. It is widely accepted by colleges and universities across the U.S. and even some outside the U.S. as part of their admissions process. The ACT also helps admissions officers place students' academic records in a national context due to variations in curricula and grading systems among schools
. In summary, the ACT is a standardized, curriculum-based college entrance exam that evaluates students' skills in English, math, reading, and science, with an optional writing test, used to assess college readiness and support admissions decisions
