The ACT is a standardized test used by US colleges for admissions. It consists of four multiple choice sections in English, math, reading and science, plus an optional writing test. The test takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Results are accepted by all US 4-year colleges. The ACT is administered several times per year in Serbia at the International Academic Center in Belgrade. Most scores are available online within 2 1/2 weeks of the test date. Students typically take the ACT or SAT in spring of their penultimate year of high school.

1. ACT
What is ACT?
The ACT is a US university admissions 215 multiple-choice questions and takes
examination that consists of subject area tests approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to
in English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. complete, including a short break (or just over
It is one of the exams that US universities four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus
frequently require students to take when Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55
applying to their undergraduate programs. minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the
ACT Plus Writing).
The “ACT Plus Writing” includes the four
subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing The ACT is administered on five test dates in
Test. The Writing section is optional, but must Serbia—in October, December, February, April,
be taken by students applying to universities and June. The ACT is administered in Serbia at
that require a Writing score. the International Academic Center in Belgrade.
The optional Writing section is not offered on
ACT results are accepted by all 4-year colleges the February date.
and universities in the U.S. The ACT includes
What does ACT consist of?
The ACT (No Writing) consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and
Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a Writing Test.
The English Test is a 75-question, 45-minute Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of
test, covering: grammar aren't tested. The test consists of five
prose passages, each one accompanied by
• Usage/Mechanics (punctuation, grammar multiple-choice test questions. Different passage
and usage, sentence structure) types are included to provide variety.
• Rhetorical Skills (strategy, organization,
style)
The ACT Mathematics Test is a 60-question, skills to solve practical problems in
60-minute test designed to measure the mathematics. You need knowledge of basic
mathematical skills students have typically formulas and computational skills to answer the
acquired in courses taken by the end of 11th problems, but you aren't required to know
grade. The test presents multiple-choice complex formulas and perform extensive
questions that require you to use reasoning computation. You may use a calculator on the
Mathematics Test.
The Reading Test is a 40-question, 35-minute The test comprises four prose passages that
test that measures your reading are representative of the level and kind of
comprehension. You're asked to read four reading required in first-year university courses;
passages and answer questions that show your passages on topics in social studies, natural
understanding of: sciences, prose fiction, and the humanities are
included.
• what is directly stated
• statements with implied meanings
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2. The Science Test is a 40-question, 35- • - recognize and understand the basic features of,
minute test that measures the skills required and concepts related to, the provided information
in the natural sciences: interpretation, •
analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem • - examine critically the relationship between the
solving. The test presents seven sets of information provided and the conclusions drawn
scientific information, each followed by a or hypotheses developed in the passage
number of multiple-choice test questions. provided
•
The questions require you to: • - generalize from given information and draw
conclusions, gain new information, or make
predictions
The Writing Test is a 30-minute essay test that are asked to respond to a question about your
measures your writing skills—specifically those position on the issue described in the writing
writing skills emphasized in high school English prompt. In doing so, you may adopt one or the
classes and in entry-level university other of the perspectives described in the
composition courses. The test consists of one prompt, or you may present a different point of
writing prompt that will define an issue and view on the issue. Your score will not be
describe two points of view on that issue. You affected by the point of view you take on the
issue.
When are the results available?
Most scores are available for online viewing within 2 ½ weeks after each national or international
test date. Score reports are usually mailed within 3 to 8 weeks after each test date. If you took the
Writing Test, your score report will be mailed only after all your scores are available, including
Writing, within 5 to 8 weeks after the test date.
FAQ
What are the admissions test requirements for undergraduate study in the United States?
Most applicants for undergraduate study in the staff compare US students (who will not follow
US will be required to sit a standardized a national curriculum) and international
admissions exam. Standardized exams are one students from different educational systems.
way in which US universities will assess your Admissions exams will be considered in
academic potential, a key component of the determining admissions and merit-based
admissions criteria. These exams serve as a scholarships from the university.
common denominator to help US admission
Which admissions tests are required?
Most 4 year colleges and universities in the US students to submit scores from two to three
will require students to take either the ACT Test SAT Subject Tests, although the majority of
or the SAT Reasoning Test, but not both. those universities will fully or partially waive that
Virtually all colleges and universities leave it up for students taking the ACT Plus Writing. Note
to the student which of the two tests to take, so also that students whose first language is not
it is important that the student take the one he English will usually be required to take the
or she is most likely to score better on. Some of TOEFL or the IELTS.
the more selective US universities will also ask
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3. Is the SAT or ACT a Better Fit for Me?
Since nearly all 4 year colleges and universities in the US accept both the ACT and the SAT, it is a
personal choice as to which to take. We recommend students complete a sample test for the ACT
and a sample test for the SAT Reasoning Test in order to decide which format they feel more
comfortable with.
ACT sample test: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/preparing.pdf
SAT sample test:
https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.com/SR/digital_assets/assessment/pdf/0833A611-0A43-10C2-
0148-CC8C0087FB06-F.pdf
ACT-SAT Concordance Tables (to compare your sample test results):
http://www.act.org/aap/concordance
Factors to consider:
• Since the ACT has a Science Reasoning • The Writing section on the SAT is required,
section and its Math section measures up to a while it’s optional on the ACT.
higher level (trigonometry) than the SAT • Actual testing time on the SAT is 3 hours and
Reasoning Test (geometry), students strong in 45 minutes, while actual testing time on the
these fields may benefit by taking the ACT. ACT is only 2 hours and 55 minutes (add 30
• You could also compare your results from the minutes if taking the optional Writing test).
sample tests above using this concordance • Some students applying to the most
table, which links comparable scores on both competitive universities will not be able to
tests. If your practice score is significantly register for two testing dates or will prefer the
better on one test than the other, you may want option to complete their admissions exam
to take that one for real. requirement in one testing date (ACT with
• Maybe you will prefer the format of one exam Writing), rather than two (SAT Reasoning Test
over another. The SAT has ten short sections, on one testing date, SAT Subject Tests on a
whereas the ACT has four longer sections. second and possibly third date).
US University Perspective - Mark Butt, Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate
Admissions, Johns Hopkins University:
“When considering standardized The ACT is a more curriculum-based
examinations for entrance into US colleges, assessment which examines English,
the two central examinations are the SAT and mathematics, reading, and science – which
the ACT. The SAT and ACT serve the same may appeal to students with advanced study
purpose in the admissions process at most in those areas. Both are equally acceptable
universities; however, the exams themselves and equally valued at virtually all US colleges
are both quite different. First, the SAT is and universities nation-wide. Do some
comprised of three sections – Critical research on both of the examinations and
Reading, Mathematics and Writing and lasts perhaps take a practice test to see which you
three hours and forty-five minutes. think suits you best.”
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4. When should I plan on taking admissions tests?
We suggest students sit the admissions exam in the spring of their penultimate year of high school.
This leaves you the option to re-sit the exam in the autumn of your last year if you are not satisfied
with your results.
Taking the test, registration and fees
In Serbia, you can take the ACT test in the International Academic Center, 12 Decanska Street,
Belgrade. More information is available by phone +381 11 334 9639. Registration and payment for
the ACT is done by the student through the web site www.actstudent.org. ACT (No Writing) costs
USD 59, while the ACT Plus Writing is USD 74.
Preparation for the test
International Academic Center does not have the preparation for the ACT at the moment. You can
find a lot of useful information and practice material at the official site of the test –
http://www.actstudent.org, or you can order preparation books online.
What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more
of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components: English,
Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components:
Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. The College Board introduced a new
version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-
established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the
college(s) you're applying to. The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong
answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.
The ACT has an Interest Inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career
options.
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