A big change is coming soon for ACT test takers. Here’s everything you need to know to stay ahead of the game.
ACT Section Retesting
Section retesting affords students the opportunity to retake one or more single-section tests (English, Math, Reading, and Science). This option is offered in an effort to allow students to maximize their “superscore”.
Logistics via ACT Inc. - Section retesting will be available to all students who have taken the full ACT test. It is the same test – just one section or subject at a time. Section retests are identical in the content covered, timing, and the number of questions for each ACT section test. Section retesting will be offered seven times a year, on the same dates as the national ACT test. Students may take up to three section retests on any one test date, though there are no limits on the number of times a student may take a retest.
ACT Superscoring
The Superscore reports the highest possible composite score across multiple ACT tests and ACT Section Retests. It calculates the average of the four best subject scores from each of the student’s ACT test attempts.
Logistics via ACT Inc. - Colleges set their own policies regarding superscoring. However, ACT will supply them at least one full composite score with each superscore, plus all of the scores from the test events that are part of the superscore composite. We encourage colleges and university to consider adding superscoring to their score-use policy because, as our research shows, superscores are just as predictive – if not more predictive – of first-year grades than other scoring methods.
ACT Online Testing
Starting September 2020, students can choose to take the ACT test online or on paper.
Logistics via ACT Inc. - Students who take the test online get faster test results. In fact, their multiple-choice scores and the ACT composite score will begin to be reported as soon as two business days after the test date, allowing them and the schools and scholarships to which they apply to make better, more informed and timely decisions.
There are a few key takeaways for families navigating this option for their students’ test prep such as,
-The retesting option doesn't go into effect until September 2020.
-Section retesting is only allowed for students who have already taken a full ACT.
- Section retesting will ONLY be available on national test dates at sites offering online testing, which are expected to be in short supply.
- How colleges will accept retesting + super scoring is not established.
- The cost of section retesting is not defined at this time.
Learn more by watching this short video: https://youtu.be/KlTVxqkvLRs