ACT
American College Testing
An alternative to the SAT, accepted by all U.S. universities. The ACT has three core sections (English, Math, Reading) with optional Science and Writing add-ons. A score of 34+ is competitive for top universities. Most students take only the SAT or ACT — not both.
Last updated
Frequency
7 dates per year
Duration
2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with optional Writing)
Format
Both
Score range
1–36 composite score
Eligibility
No formal prerequisite; typically taken by high-school juniors and seniors
Conducting body
ACT, Inc.
Registration fee
US$70 core (English, Math, Reading); +US$5 Science add-on and +US$25 Writing add-on (up to US$100 with both)
Source: ACT, Inc.. Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: ACT — Current ACT fees and services.
Last verified: 3 June 2026.
Universities that accept ACT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
Princeton University
Yale University
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago
Cornell University
Brown University
Dartmouth College
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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