So, when do you take the ACT and when do you start ACT prep? If you’re looking for the easiest test date, I have some bad news; there’s technically no one test date that’s easier than the others.
There is a way to determine the most optimal time for you to take the ACT based on your test prep and overall readiness. (Naturally, the more prepared you are to take the ACT test, the easier it will be. )
Figuring out when to take the ACT test ultimately comes down to identifying the prep schedule that works best for you.
Now here’s the good news:
It’s not that difficult to figure out the best time to take the ACT. In fact, we can figure it out right now.
Table Of Contents
So, let’s unpack those questions together and get to the bottom of your burning question: when do you take the ACT?
Follow along as I present a framework for calculating your best timeline to take the ACT. And don’t worry, we’ll even offer some sample timelines for different types of students.
By the end of this article, you will know exactly when to take the ACT.
Use this infographic to decide between the SAT and the ACT based on which test you are most likely to score well on.
Your starting point is your baseline score—your score on a proctored practice ACT.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to take a proctored test just to get your baseline. I’ll explain why that’s a terrible idea in just a moment.
Here’s a better way:
It should come as no surprise that the best way to see how you’d do on a real, official proctored ACT test, is to simulate a real, official, proctored test.
The two biggest components to remember are:
Now, that aside, getting an accurate baseline is deceptively hard.
These tests go on your permanent record.
There’s no reason to log an official ACT score that is sub-optimal!
Many parents register their students for an official test sitting “just to see where they are starting.” In my opinion, this is like lighting a fire just to see if people know what their building’s evacuation policy is.
When something has permanent consequences, it’s better to do the practice in a non-permanent setting—pilots learn in simulators before taking out real airplanes; skydivers do tandem jumps before solo ones. W
hen to take the ACT
Test stress is real. Students’ scores in test-like versus non-test-like conditions can be night and day.
When you go to take your practice test, take it When to take the ACT
Consider a student who tests inside the comfort and quiet of her home, at 10AM, taking long snack and cell phone breaks between each section.
Compare the outcome of that experience to the real test which takes place in an unfamiliar testing room, surrounded by strangers who are flipping pages constantly, with minimal break times, and unfamiliar bathroom locations.
The scores could be very different. So to get an accurate baseline, take the practice ACT test in test-like conditions.
It’s surprising that a test made by The CollegeBoard and called the ‘Pre-SAT’ would produce such un-SAT-like results.
From the scoring system (out of 1520 vs the SAT’s 1600) to the timing (2:45 vs the SAT’s 3:50), the scores produced on the PSAT or PSAT/NMSQT just do not line up with scores produced on the SAT.
In Powerful Prep’s experience, SAT scores are generally 50-100 points lower than those achieved on the PSAT. ke the ACT
The PreACT is slightly better as it is scored out of 36 points, but it is still a sub-optimal predictor, as the timing is far different. The PreACT clocks in at 1 hour and 55 minutes while the ACT is 3 hours and 35 minutes. .
While any respectable test prep company (ours included) offers regular proctored practice tests, some use custom tests while others use actual historical ACTs.
Some have accused private providers of artificially deflating practice tests scores to incite demand for their product. Whether there’s any truth to this is dubious, but there is always a risk of tracking error when taking a custom ACT.
The best baseline is an ACT Corporation released ACT which I’ve linked above.
Okay, so now that you know what your current baseline ACT score is, let’s move to the second step of mapping out the best time to take ACT.
The answer to this should be dictated by the school or level of school you want to get into. It will make a difference if you want to get into an Ivy League school such as Harvard, UPenn, or a school that’s not considered an Ivy, such as MIT.
To give you an idea:
If you don’t know what your target school is at this stage—that’s perfectly fine. Just use your current GPA to benchmark where you’re likely to end up.
For example, if you’re a sophomore who hasn’t had the opportunity to take any AP courses yet, but who is taking the most rigorous coursework available and has a 4.0 GPA, then look toward the Most Selective row in the table below to tell you what ACT score you should target.
As another example, if you’re taking standard high school curriculum, without honors or AP courses, and your GPA is about 3.4, then look toward the Less Selective row to find what ACT you should target.
If you need additional data to determine your target ACT score, just refer to the columns below:
Admissions Rate: Less than 10%
GPA (weighted): 4.5 – 5.0
GPA (unweighted): 3.9 – 4.0
Avg. SAT Score: 1490 – 1600
Avg. ACT Score: 32 – 36
Admissions Rate: 10% – 20%
GPA (weighted): 3.6 – 4.3
GPA (unweighted): 3.2 – 4.0
Avg. SAT Score: 1430 – 1590
Avg. ACT Score: 31 – 35
Admissions Rate: 21% – 35%
GPA (weighted): 3.2 – 4.0
GPA (unweighted): 3.1 – 4.0
Avg. SAT Score: 1350 – 1520
Avg. ACT Score: 27 – 31
Admissions Rate: 35% – 50%
GPA (weighted): 3.0 – 4.0
GPA (unweighted): 2.5 – 4.0
Avg. SAT Score: 1200 – 1380
Avg. ACT Score: 27
Admissions Rate: Greater than 50%
GPA (weighted): 1.0 – 3.7
GPA (unweighted): 1.0 – 3.5
Avg. SAT Score: 1180 – 1370
Avg. ACT Score: 27
These courses leverage the interactivity of classroom settings with the efficacy of customized curriculum
Although the method of prep you will use will be the biggest factor in how quickly you gain points, there are other factors that affect this rate.
Using our records of our students’ point gains we estimate the following pace of improvement with one-on-one ACT test prep.
| Test | Starting Range | Point Gains Per Week | In 3 Months |
| SAT | 15 | 180 | |
| SAT | >1300 | 6 | 72 |
| ACT | 0.3 | 3.6 | |
| ACT | >30 | 0.2 | 2.4 |
Using this estimate, a student starting at a score of 30 on the ACT who wanted to improve to 34 should budget about 5 months of test prep.
These numbers can be decreased or increased due to any of the stated factors above.
Once you know how long you need to prep for ACT, you can look at the scheduled ACT tests and find a test date that aligns with the amount of prep you will need to do.
However, there are a few more considerations I want to share with you to get you set up for success when you decide to take ACT.
Let’s take a look at those:
Now that you know how long you will need to prep, you need to decide when to start prepping to take the ACT.
There are 6-8 test-dates for each the SAT and ACT, so you need to consider what year you should ACT prep.
First, you need to decide what year you want to begin prep.
Many resources suggest that students take the test multiple times during their junior years. If you can, then, this is the best route to go as it leaves the most options for retakes and for applying early action/decision.
However, junior year is the most impactful year for grades.
The GPA you achieve in your Junior year matters more than any other.
Adding test prep to this might dilute your GPA, depending on how much you can take on.
Next, you need to decide during what time of year you want to prep.
If you prep during the summer, you avoid having to do school work and prep work simultaneously.
If you prep during the school year, you have far more test dates to work with, and you leave your summers open for traveling and extracurricular activities.
Three months is usually sufficient to improve your score by about 2-4 points on the ACT and 150-250 points on the SAT, assuming you’ve chosen a strong test prep provider. If you need more points, then plan to add an additional month for every 1 point on the ACT, or 40 points on the SAT.
Finally, you’ll want to have an idea of how many times you want to take the test.
Some schools will allow you to submit your best score in each section out of all the times you have taken the test, which is called super-scoring.
We’ve got you covered, check out blog post now:
This timeline offers the most flexibility in terms of possible test dates. It also ensures that you are as prepared as possible for the test, and, therefore, ensures your highest possible score.
This timeline is more cost-effective but doesn’t sacrifice too much preparedness or flexibility.
This timeline saves the most time and money but sacrifices a lot of flexibility and potential preparedness.
Calculate your starting score and target score. From that, you can calculate how long it will take to close the gap. Once you know how long you will need to prep you can then choose which test date you would like to sit for based on our sample timelines.
You can find your starting score by taking a proctored practice test. Avoid the common pitfalls of assuming your baseline is your PSAT score–usually, that test is inflated, relative to SAT scores.
Calculate your target score based on your GPA and the selectivity level of your target school.
Estimate the time it will take to close the gap between your starting and target-end score by deciding between one-on-one, small-group, or large-group test prep.
Now that you know how long it will take you to prep, you can decide when you’d like to start prepping, and which dates you’d like to sit for. Consider which year you’d like to start studying and if you’re able to prep during the year, or only during the summer. Based on that, consult our sample timelines to decide exactly when to start prep and which tests to take.
What are the ACTs?
The ACT test is an exam that’s administered by u003ca href=u0022http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test.html#order-reg-materialsu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eACT, incu003c/au003e, that many universities and colleges use to determine whether or not a student will be a good fit for their educational programs. Much like many of the tests you took in high school, the ACT is done on paper and pencil and follows a multiple-choice format. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eEssentially, the ACT measures how prepared a student is to attend college, while also giving the college tangible data they can use to compare with competing applicants.
How long is the ACT?
The ACT is about 3 hours and 35 minutes including breaks.
What time does the ACT start?
Students need to report to the proctor at 8:00 AM on test day. Once all students have been checked in (typically 30 minutes), the test will begin.
What is the maximum ACT score?
The maximum ACT score is 36.
Where can I take the ACT test?
ACT tests are commonly taken at local high schools. Use the u003ca href=u0022https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/test-center-locator.htmlu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003etest locator tool on the ACTu003c/au003e website to find the testing location nearest you. Use the u003ca href=u0022https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/test-center-locator.htmlu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003etest locator tool on the ACTu003c/au003e website to find the testing location nearest you.
Does the ACT have an age limit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.There is no age limit to take the ACT. But it should be noted that examees under the age of 12 are still required to bring acceptable identification to be seated for the test as per the u003ca href=u0022http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Terms-and-Conditions.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eACT terms and conditionsu003c/au003e.
Can sophomores take the ACT? What grade do you take the ACT?
Absolutely. There is no age limit on taking the ACT and sophomores are welcome to test, although most students take it in their Junior year. I strongly advise you to read through the steps I’ve outlined in this article to help you determine when the best time for you to take the ACT is.
Can you take the ACT after high school? When should I take the act?
Yes, students can take the ACT after they have finished high school.
Can I Submit the ACT without the Writing Section? Will test-optional colleges take my ACT score into consideration if I don’t have the ACT writing portion this year?
u003cstrongu003eThe first part of your question asks:u003c/strongu003e can I submit an ACT without the writing portion. This depends on the school. Many require the writing portion, but many do not. You will need to check with the specific schools to which you’re applying.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eThe second part of your question asks:u003c/strongu003e can I submit an ACT score to a test-optional school. Of course! Test-optional does not mean test-blind. In fact, if you are a student from a reasonably privileged background, you will be expected to submit a strong test score.
Why should Juniors take the ACT?
The SAT changed from the current format to a new format in March 2016. You can read all about the changes here, but what that means is if you’re going to be a Junior next year, and you wanted to take the SAT in Fall 2015, you’d be taking the Current SAT, but then if you needed to retake the test in the Spring, you’d have to take the New SAT, requiring you to start your prep from scratch.
Why should Sophomores and Freshmen take the ACT?
Because the New SAT is going to be a complete wildcard for the first few years.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFirst, the College Board will struggle as it tries to create standardization and normalization tables for the new exam, which it can’t have done already because no one has taken the entire test.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eSecond, prep companies will struggle to put out quality material because they’ve had to rush to do so.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThird, much of what we knew and held firmly true about the SAT will be called into question. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e- u003cemu003eWhat will its new point-return curve look like? u003cbru003e- What kind of student will outperform on the SAT relative to the ACT? u003cbru003e- What will the timing feel like when applied in a test setting? u003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eWe don’t know, and we won’t know for a couple of years until data starts coming out.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eTo avoid having our clients become Guinea pigs for a changing regime, we’re strong supporters of the ACT for the next 2-3 years.
