Admissions Test · U.S. Universities

What Is the American College Testing (ACT)?

How the enhanced ACT works, how it is scored, how students in mainland China can take it, how it differs from the SAT and how to prepare.

Read time: 8 min

The Short Answer

The ACT is a standardized admissions test used by U.S. universities. It measures skills in English, mathematics, reading and, optionally, science.
The test was redesigned in 2025–26. The enhanced ACT is shorter, and the composite score now comes from English, mathematics and reading only.
Scores run from 1 to 36. The composite is the average of the three required sections.
In mainland China, there are no open public test centers. Students usually test at school-based authorized centers, so ask your school first.
Many universities no longer require test scores, but some still do, so check each university's policy before deciding whether to take the ACT.

What Is the ACT?

The ACT is a standardized test that universities in the United States use, alongside grades and other application materials, to compare applicants. It is designed to show how well prepared a high school student is for college-level work, and it is accepted by most U.S. universities. Many universities outside the U.S. also accept it, depending on their entry requirements.

It is run by ACT, Inc., a U.S. non-profit organization. Along with the SAT, it is one of the two main U.S. admissions tests, and most universities that ask for a test accept either.

The Enhanced ACT: What Changed

ACT introduced a redesigned test, called the enhanced ACT, between 2025 and 2026. It rolled out first for national weekend testing in 2025 and reached state, district and international testing in spring 2026, so any ACT you register for now is the enhanced version. The main changes are:

The test is shorter, with fewer questions in each section.
The Science section is now optional, and the composite score does not include it, even if a student takes it.
The composite score is the average of English, mathematics and reading.
Depending on the test center, students may take the test online or on paper.

If you are using older practice books or reading advice written before 2025, check whether it describes the old format. The old test had four required sections and was longer.

The Structure of the Enhanced ACT

Sections, questions and time

These figures follow the enhanced format as reported by test-preparation providers, so confirm them on the official ACT website before test day.

English: 50 multiple-choice questions in 35 minutes. Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills such as organization and style. Required.
Mathematics: 45 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes. Covers algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry and data analysis. Required. A calculator is allowed, within ACT's approved list.
Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes, based on passages in areas such as literary narrative, social science, humanities and natural science. Required.
Science: 40 questions in 40 minutes. Tests the ability to interpret data, understand experiments and evaluate scientific information. Optional.
Writing: One essay in 40 minutes, in which students develop an argument in response to a prompt. Optional, and scored separately.

Taking only the three required sections takes about two hours. Adding Science or Writing makes the test longer. Whether to take the optional sections depends on the universities and programs you are applying to, since some, especially in science and engineering, may want to see the Science score.

ACT Scoring

How scores work

Section scores: Each section is reported on a scale from 1 to 36.
Composite score: The average of the English, mathematics and reading scores, from 1 to 36.
Science score: Reported separately if taken, but not included in the composite.
Writing: Reported separately if taken.
Superscoring: Many universities will combine your best section scores across test dates. Check each university's policy.

There is no universal "good" score. A good score is one that fits the range of the universities you are applying to. Most universities publish the typical score ranges of their admitted students, so compare your score with those ranges rather than with a single number.

Taking the ACT in Mainland China

According to a guide from a China-based test-preparation school, there are no open public ACT test centers in mainland China. Students take the test at school-based centers that are authorized to administer it during the international testing windows, and policies differ between them: some only test their own students, while others accept a limited number of students from partner schools. International testing windows are also fewer than in the U.S., and registration usually closes about four to five weeks before the test date. This guidance can change, so confirm the current options on the official ACT website and with your school's college counselor.

Practical steps

Ask your school first: Check whether your school is an authorized center or works with one, and which test dates it offers.
Check the official ACT site: Look at the international test dates, registration deadlines and available centers, and register early, because seats can be limited.
Plan for deadlines: Book your test early enough to retake it if needed, ahead of university application deadlines.
Bring the right items: Follow ACT's rules on photo identification, approved calculators and other test-day requirements for your test center.

ACT or SAT?

How the two tests compare

Both are accepted by most U.S. universities. Neither is inherently easier, so the better choice depends on the student.

ACT: Measures English, mathematics and reading, with optional science and writing. Scored from 1 to 36. Enhanced format is shorter than before.
SAT: Measures reading and writing, and mathematics, with no science section. Scored from 400 to 1600. See the SAT guide.

The best way to choose is to take a full practice test of each under timed conditions and compare how you feel and how you score. Some students do better with the ACT's more straightforward questions and quicker pace, while others prefer the SAT's style. Check each university's policy too, because most accept both, but a few may prefer one.

Do You Need the ACT?

Many U.S. universities adopted test-optional policies in recent years, and some have since reinstated testing requirements, so policies differ and change. Check the admissions page of every university on your list. Even where tests are optional, a strong score can help, especially for competitive programs, scholarships and for international applicants. Students applying to universities in other countries should check whether those universities accept the ACT, and how it compares with their usual entry requirements, such as the IB Diploma or A-Levels.

ACT Preparation

Know the format. Use materials written for the enhanced ACT, and take full timed practice tests on the same mode (online or paper) that you will use on test day.
Find your weak areas. Review mistakes by type, such as grammar rules or algebra topics, and practice those.
Practice pacing. The ACT is fast, so build the habit of finishing each section in time.
Use official resources. ACT provides official practice materials, and many schools and tutors offer preparation courses.
Plan retakes. Many students take the ACT two or three times, and many universities superscore. ACT sets limits on how often you can test, so check the current policy.

Sending Your Scores

You send scores to universities through your ACT account. ACT includes some free score reports when you register, and further reports cost a fee, so check the current rules and costs when you register. Some universities allow you to self-report scores at first and send official scores only after admission, so read each university's instructions.

The ACT and Your School Curriculum

The ACT is most closely linked to the American curriculum, which many American-style schools in Tianjin follow, often alongside AP courses. Students from British or IB schools can also take it if they are applying to U.S. universities. For help comparing schools, read Choosing the Right International School in Tianjin.

Questions to Ask Your School

Is the school an authorized ACT center, or does it work with one?
Which test dates are available for our students, and when does registration close?
Does the school offer preparation, and for which test format?
Which universities have your graduates applied to with ACT scores?
Who can advise us on whether to take the ACT or the SAT?

Frequently Asked Questions About the ACT

What does ACT stand for?: ACT originally stood for American College Testing. Today the organization and the test are simply called the ACT.
What changed in the enhanced ACT?: The test is shorter, the Science section is optional and the composite score is calculated from English, mathematics and reading. The rollout reached international testing in spring 2026.
How is the ACT scored?: Each section is scored from 1 to 36, and the composite is the average of the English, mathematics and reading scores. Science and Writing are reported separately if taken.
How long is the ACT?: The three required sections take about two hours. Taking Science or Writing adds time. Confirm the current timings on the official ACT website.
Is the Science section required?: No. Science is optional in the enhanced ACT and is not included in the composite score, although some programs may still want to see it.
Is the Writing section required?: No. It is optional, and some universities may ask for it, so check each university's requirements.
Is the ACT easier than the SAT?: Neither is inherently easier. The best approach is to take a timed practice test of each and compare.
Can I take the ACT in mainland China?: Students usually test at school-based authorized centers rather than open public centers. Ask your school and check the official ACT site for current dates and rules.
How many times can I take the ACT?: Many students take it two or three times, but ACT sets limits on how often you can test, so check the current policy.
Do I need the ACT to apply to U.S. universities?: Many universities no longer require test scores, but some do, and a strong score can help in other cases. Check each university's policy.
Can I use a calculator on the ACT?: Yes, in the mathematics section, with a calculator that meets ACT's approved list, so check the policy before test day.