ACT Prep
What is the average Composite ACT score in the country?
19.6
English Average - 18.7
Math Average 19.1
Reading Average 20.2
Science Average 19.7
What is the ACT score range?
1-36
Out of 10, what rank do college admission officers give in importance for ACT/SAT scores, when considering whether to accept or reject an applicant?
#4
How many questions are on the ACT English Subtest?
50 Questions
How many minutes do you get for the ACT English Subtest?
35 minutes
(42 seconds per item)
Can I combine scores from different test dates to improve my overall score?
Yes, some colleges and universities allow you to use a SUPERSCORE of your best subtest scores from the different testing dates.
Is the new ACT shorter or longer than the previous ACT test?
The ACT is 75 minutes shorter than the previous ACT Test.
195 minutes to 125 minutes
What is the average ACT in Iowa?
21.0
How many subjects are on the ACT test?
What is Iowa State University's average ACT score for entering freshmen?
The average score is 24.
The middle 50% is 21 to 28.
25% of incoming freshman score below 21 and 25% score above 28.
How many questions are on the ACT Math Subtest?
45 Questions
How many minutes do you get for the ACT Math Subtest?
50 minutes
(1:07/item)
Can I take the ACT and not send the test scores to my prospective college or university?
Yes. You control which scores from which test dates get sent with your application.
Are there fewer or more questions on the new ACT?
There are 44 fewer questions on the ACT test than in previous versions.
Also, there are only 4 answer choices for Math instead of 5.
How many hours do students typically spend studying/preparing for the ACT?
less than 20 hours
What are the subjects on the ACT test? (Bonus points: in order)
English, Math, Reading
Science and Writing are now optional
What is University of Iowa's average ACT score for entering freshmen?
The average score is 25.
The middle 50% is 22 to 29.
25% of incoming freshman score below 22 and 25% score above 29.
How many questions are on the ACT Reading Subtest?
36 Questions
How many minutes do you get for the ACT Reading Subtest?
40 Minutes
1:07/item
Is the ACT required for admission to all colleges and universities in the United States?
No, but some colleges and universities do require the ACT. Many have made the ACT or SAT optional in their admission requirements.
You should check the website of your prospective colleges/universities to see what they require?
Did they provide more time per question or less time per question on the new ACT?
They provided more time per question on the new ACT.
What percentage of Iowa seniors took the ACT test?
43% of Iowa Seniors took the ACT in 2024.
This is down from 66-69% of seniors who took it before COVID.
How many breaks are there in between subtests?
There is a short transition period between each test. After the reading test, those who are not taking science or writing will be dismissed.
What is Grinnell College's average ACT score for entering freshmen?
33 - This is the highest average in the State of Iowa.
How many questions are on the ACT Science Subtest?
40 Questions
How many minutes do you get for the ACT Science Subtest?
40 Minutes
1:00/item
If I get a question wrong on the ACT, does it affect my score?
No. You are only scored on the number of questions you get correct. A wrong answer does not add negative points to your score.
Reading, Math, English, Science, or Writing
Science and Writing are now optional.
What percentage of students score a 30 or above?
top 7%
Perfect 36 - less than 1%
34-36 - top 1%
30-33 top 2-6%
28 - top 10-11%
24 - top 25%
Beyond acceptance into the college of your choice, what are some benefits to taking the ACT test?
It can help with earning scholarships.
It can help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your academics. (Help you find the right level of class/college)
It can prepare you for high-stakes testing needed for graduate school.
What score on the ACT will typically provide more access to scholarships at the University of Iowa?
26 - at the University of Iowa, those who score above 26 on the ACT have more opportunities for merit-based scholarships.
Each college or university is different, so pay attention to their information about test scores and scholarships.
How many prompts do you get on the ACT Writing Subtest?
1 prompt
How many minutes do you get for the ACT Writing Subtest?
40 minutes
What is the 3 top factors you take into consideration when deciding your goal score?
#1. Your college list
#2. Your starting score
#3. Amount of time and dedication to prep
True or False: The ACT is now only offered online.
False. There is a still a paper copy of the ACT.