Is The ACT Still Important? 

Since its introduction in 1959, millions of hopeful college students have taken the ACT. Today, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic kickstarting test-optional policies, many students question whether or not the test is still worth taking. But honestly? The answer to that isn’t just a resounding yes, it’s “Yes, and it’s actually more important now than ever before.” With the rise of grade inflation, the increasing difficulty of college admissions, the growing pressure on high school students to perform in all aspects of their lives, and sky-high tuition costs, the ACT isn’t just a standardized test; it’s an answer to all of these. 

A Measure of Academic Merit

The ACT remains one of the most consistent measures of academic merit in higher education. High school transcripts vary widely depending on where a student lives, the rigor of their school’s curriculum, and even grading practices within individual districts. A 4.0 GPA from one school might not represent the same academic challenges as a 4.0 from another. The ACT provides a standardized way to compare students across these differences, reinforcing the ideal of a meritocracy: An ideal in which achievement is measured by effort and skill rather than access or privilege.

This consistency helps admissions officers interpret GPA and coursework in context. A strong ACT score can highlight a student’s dedication to learning, showing that they have mastered essential academic skills regardless of what opportunities were available to them. In a time when grade inflation and differing grading standards can complicate admissions decisions, the ACT offers a reliable, nationwide benchmark.

Seeing Beyond Grade Inflation

Another key reason the ACT remains relevant for today’s students is the problem of grade inflation. There is a big problem in today’s high schools with GPAs rising but content mastery not reflecting this. Grade inflation happens in all academic subjects, but it does not correspond with improvements in any measures of content mastery or academic achievement– particularly in math..That makes it harder for colleges to distinguish between students who have mastered the material and those who have benefitted from generous grading policies.

The ACT cuts through that uncertainty. Because it’s standardized, every student takes the same exam under the same conditions, which allows colleges to evaluate academic performance objectively. A strong ACT score confirms that a student’s high GPA represents genuine understanding rather than inflated marks. Likewise, for a student whose grades were high but whose coursework wasn’t especially challenging, the ACT can reveal where additional preparation might be needed. This lets the ACT support fairer comparisons across schools, districts, and states. It helps admissions officers see past grade inflation and focus on what truly matters: real readiness to succeed in college-level work. 

Promoting Fairness Across Districts

Grade inflation is a problem, but so too is the non-standardized GPA. Before the rise of honors classes and AP and IB curriculums, high school GPAs were simple. Today? Not so much. Today, in addition to grade inflation, students have to grapple with weighted GPAs and the reality of discrepancies in educational opportunities. One of the characteristics that makes the ACT most relevant is how it promotes fairness for all students.

Every student’s educational journey looks different. Some experience challenges that temporarily affect their grades, like family obligations, illness, or changes in schools. The ACT can serve as a way to demonstrate academic recovery or steady growth. A student whose GPA dipped during sophomore year but earns a high ACT score signals resilience and potential. This is especially important for students who are self-taught in certain subjects or who may have taken alternative educational paths. The ACT rewards preparation and persistence, giving students the chance to present their academic ability in a clear, quantifiable way. For students wondering how to address an uneven transcript, a strong ACT score can help answer the question before it’s ever asked.

The ACT can also help offset financial discrepancies between school districts. Some school districts are able to provide a full suite of AP courses, have fully-equipped STEM labs, and offer educational enrichment opportunities that cater to any interest. Not every school district is so fortunate, and not every family can afford every educational opportunity. But the ACT can help. In communities where advanced placement courses or specialized electives might not be available, standardized testing offers a way to demonstrate college readiness on equal footing with peers from more affluent schools. The test doesn’t rely on access to expensive extracurriculars or exclusive programs; it evaluates what students have learned and how well they can apply that knowledge.

The ACT organization provides fee waivers and free preparation resources to ensure that financial constraints don’t stand in the way of opportunity. Academic achievement should depend on a student’s abilities and effort, not their family’s income or zip code. This isn’t a problem that any standardized test can fix on its own, but the ACT is an important step. Standardized tests can be a lifeline for students with high potential whose environments might not let them demonstrate their abilities. While no system is perfect, the ACT remains one of the few available tools that rewards personal merit and preparation over privilege.

The ACT and Scholarships

Did you know that 85% of people who never went to college cite cost as the main reason they didn’t go? For many people, that’s an incredible lost opportunity, but the ACT can help make those dreams more attainable. Across the country, both universities and private organizations continue to use ACT scores as part of their merit-based scholarship criteria. These awards aren’t just small perks; they can cover substantial portions of tuition, fees, and even housing. For students whose families cannot afford the full cost of college, that financial relief can make all the difference.

Earning a high ACT score can also improve eligibility for state-level scholarship programs. Many states, like Kentucky, Florida, and Oklahoma, use ACT benchmarks to determine who qualifies for automatic merit-based awards. Even modest score increases can bump students into higher funding brackets, directly impacting how much they’ll owe after graduation. 

Private scholarships often follow a similar pattern. Thousands of corporate and nonprofit programs rely on standardized test scores to identify candidates who demonstrate academic excellence and persistence. For students who might not have extensive extracurricular experience or access to expensive college prep resources, the ACT offers another path to stand out. The ACT maintains a database of scholarships that students can explore; if you’re still not sure about whether or not the ACT is relevant, you might make up your mind when you see how financially helpful it can be!

Beyond finances, many colleges use ACT scores to determine placement in honors programs or eligibility for institutional aid. Higher scores can qualify students for competitive academic cohorts that come with added benefits such as smaller class sizes, research stipends, or early registration. These advantages extend beyond finances; they enhance the overall college experience and can make it more useful for you after you’ve graduated.

Reinforcing Readiness

The ACT isn’t just a test of memorization; it measures readiness for the academic expectations of college. It assesses skills in English, math, reading, and science reasoning, emphasizing comprehension and problem-solving. Students who prepare for and perform well on the ACT show that they are capable of handling rigorous coursework.

This connection between test performance and college success is supported by years of data. Colleges often find that students with strong ACT scores are more likely to persist through their first year and graduate on time. That makes the ACT both a predictor of admissions success and a meaningful indicator of long-term academic performance. But how can a single test do that? It’s not because of the material covered, but because the ACT tests how you think– not just what you know. 

The skills developed while preparing for the ACT, like reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, data analysis, and time management, are used in every college course… and beyond. When you train yourself to perform under timed conditions, you develop focus and adaptability. And beyond these important skills, the ACT offers feedback that helps students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Each section’s score report breaks down performance in detail, allowing students to see where they excel and where they might need additional practice. This kind of data-driven insight can inform study habits, college course selection, or even decisions about pursuing specific majors.

For educators and families, ACT results can serve as a roadmap for supporting a student’s academic development. Teachers can use these scores to target instruction, while parents can better understand how to encourage their child’s learning. This feedback loop reinforces accountability and supports continuous growth.

The ACT has always cared about relevancy, and it’s not designed to test you on rote memorization. Instead, it challenges your ability to work well and reason under pressure. Yes, you need to know the basic rules of the subjects it tests, especially in the English section where your knowledge of the mechanics of grammar are the foundation of correct answers. Yes, you need to know how to solve equations and the steps in a scientific process. But ultimately, the ACT is interested in your ability to take this basic information and draw on it to come to conclusions. And that’s a skill that will serve you well long after the test is over. 

The Enduring Value of the ACT

The ACT continues to matter because it measures something that grades and essays can’t fully capture: the ability to perform under equal conditions. It offers students the opportunity to define themselves through effort, persistence, and intellectual readiness. It gives colleges a fair, consistent measure to make informed decisions and provides pathways to scholarships that make higher education attainable for many.

For students committed to their futures, the ACT remains more than a test; it’s a chance to prove that merit still matters. You owe it to yourself to take this test seriously– and Prep Expert® can help. Browse our ACT course catalog today to find a class that works for your ACT test date.