The Many Benefits of the ACT

If you’re planning on attending a college or university in the US, you’re probably going to have to take a standardized test– either the SAT or the ACT. Some students take both, but others prefer to just prepare for one. After all, the two tests are somewhat different in what they assess, and for many students, it’s just impractical to try to take them both. If you’re only going to take one test, which should you take? The SAT, or the ACT? 

Both the SAT and ACT are considered equally acceptable in the eyes of colleges– but there are some benefits to the ACT that you might not have thought about. But as a standardized test expert, it’s my job to think about these things and encourage you to make the smart, strategic decisions that will help you develop the future you deserve. That starts with getting into school and earning scholarship money, so let’s talk about how the ACT can get you there. 

College Admissions

The biggest, most obvious benefit of the ACT is that it gives admissions counselors a clear benchmark to judge your application. Your GPA and course choices already show how you perform in your own school environment. An ACT score adds a shared reference point that lets colleges compare students who went to very different high schools or had access to different resources.

An ACT score can also strengthen your profile at schools that describe themselves as test optional. Even if you are not required to submit scores, a strong result sends a confident message about your readiness for college level work and your ability to handle timed assessments. For students whose GPA feels a little lower than they would like, a higher ACT score can help admissions readers see that they are prepared for advanced classes.

Your ACT score can support specific parts of your application story. Applying as a future engineer with a high ACT math score, or as a future humanities major with a strong reading score, tells the admissions committee that you already have a solid foundation in the areas you hope to pursue– but more on this when we talk about just how flexible the ACT can be.

Scholarship Money

The ACT does more than help you get admitted. For many students, it plays a real role in making college affordable. A large number of colleges, private organizations, and state programs tie awards directly to ACT score ranges. In practice, this means that raising your score by just a few points can bump you into a higher scholarship tier.

Some schools make ACT scholarship money very transparent; you achieve a certain score, and you get a certain amount of financial support. Other institutions use ACT scores as a major factor when they award competitive grants and honors spots. If you are worried about the cost of college, treating the ACT as part of your financial strategy is a smart move. The registration fee for a test date and a focused study plan can turn into real tuition savings later.

Benefits over the SAT

The ACT and SAT have many similarities, but they feel different in practice, and that matters for real students with real strengths. One of the most talked about features of the ACT is its Science section. Instead of testing memorized facts from biology or chemistry, this section measures how well you read charts and tables along with short scientific passages. If you are comfortable with graphs and enjoy spotting patterns in data, this part of the ACT can become a place where you shine.

Many students also find the ACT questions more straightforward in style. The pacing is brisk and there are many questions, yet the wording tends to be direct. If you are someone who prefers clear instructions and familiar school style problems, you may feel more at home on the ACT. Students who read quickly and stay calm under time pressure often discover that the ACT lets them show their abilities in a way the SAT does not.

Another advantage comes from how colleges interpret the ACT composite score. Because each of the core sections contributes to one overall number, a strong performance in your best areas can help balance out a weaker section. This does not erase gaps, but it gives prepared students a chance to present one confident score that reflects their overall academic profile.

Flexibility

The ACT offers a level of scheduling flexibility that many busy high school students appreciate. Test dates are spread throughout the year, so you can choose a time that fits around school projects or major extracurricular responsibilities. If your first test date does not go as planned, you have multiple opportunities to try again and raise your score before college deadlines arrive.

There is also flexibility in how you take the test. In many locations, you can choose between traditional paper testing and a digital format. Some students feel more comfortable reading on paper and using a pencil for their work. Others like the clean layout and quick on screen tools that come with the digital experience. Having options lets you select the environment that makes it easier for you to focus.

Students can also choose different test configurations. Most will sit for the three core sections: English, Math, and Reading. But you also have the option to take Science or write an essay in the Writing section– which can highlight abilities that make you an appealing candidate for colleges. 

Let Your Writing Shine

Both students and administrators are concerned (and often confused) about the role AI plays in college admissions. It’s not a secret that students use it, and this has led to debate about how to police it, or even if it should be policed. If you’re a strong writer and you want to show that off, the ACT can create that opportunity. 

If you are confident in your writing, the ACT gives you a powerful way to highlight that strength. The optional ACT Writing test asks you to respond to a prompt by forming a clear argument, using supporting ideas, and organizing your thoughts within a short time frame. Because this essay is written in a proctored test setting, colleges can be confident that the work they see on that page truly reflects your own voice. This means that if you’re planning a course of study in a writing-heavy field like journalism or in a major that depends on essays and reports, a strong ACT Writing score can reinforce your strengths as a communicator. It shows that you can think on your feet, organize ideas quickly, and express yourself clearly under time pressure.

Making the Best Test Choice

Ultimately, the best test for you is the one that fits your strengths, your goals, and your schedule. For many students, the ACT ends up being that test. It provides a clear admissions benchmark, opens doors to scholarship opportunities, plays to the strengths of students who read quickly and reason well with data, and offers flexible options for timing and format.

If the benefits you have just read about sound like a match for your situation, the next step is to build a thoughtful study plan that helps you reach your target score, and Prep Expert® can help. Our instructors have spent years analyzing real test questions and coaching students just like you through the challenges of the ACT. Browse our ACT course catalog to find the class or tutoring option that fits your needs and start turning your test date into an opportunity.