The ACT For Homeschoolers

Over 3.1 American students are homeschooled; that’s just about 1 in every 20. That number has been increasing steadily every year, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic when we saw a massive jump. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests, an improvement that only increases in marginalized populations. And while colleges are actively recruiting homeschooled students, the fact remains that these students do need to have numbers that can demonstrate their hard work and achievement. That’s where tests like the ACT come in. This test gives homeschooled students an avenue to prove just how ready they are for academic success. 

Why Homeschooled Students Need the ACT

Colleges evaluate homeschool applications with the same care and criteria as any other student’s. In fact, admissions officers are increasingly familiar with the strengths of homeschooled applicants, like creativity, independence, and academic curiosity. Most colleges have clear policies for homeschool admissions, and many even have dedicated staff to review these applications. However, because homeschool curricula differ widely, objective measures like the ACT help admissions teams make fair and informed decisions.

When reviewing a homeschool application, colleges look for three main indicators: academic rigor, consistency, and readiness for higher education. The ACT provides measurable evidence of these qualities. A strong score demonstrates that a student’s education meets or exceeds national academic benchmarks. It reassures admissions officers that the applicant can handle the coursework they’ll encounter on campus.

Colleges use the ACT as a consistent, objective measure to compare applicants from different educational backgrounds. While transcripts from public and private schools are standardized within districts, homeschool transcripts vary in structure and grading. A strong ACT score provides reassurance that a student’s academic achievements meet the same high standards expected across the nation. This test can be a powerful way to validate a homeschool education and demonstrate readiness for college-level work. But there are some potential challenges that homeschooled students face on the ACT that their peers at conventional schools do not. Fortunately, with some work and smart studying, these challenges can be overcome. If you’re a homeschool student or you teach your child at home, the ACT isn’t a barrier; it’s an opportunity.

Homeschooling Curricula and the ACT

The first major hurdle that homeschooled students face on the ACT is curriculum gaps. The ACT assumes every test-taker has followed a fairly standardized high school curriculum. The exam is designed around what students in traditional schools typically learn in four years of English, math, science, and social studies courses. For example, the math section covers everything from pre-algebra through trigonometry, while the English portion focuses on grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills usually taught in a sequence of high school language arts classes.

Because homeschooling allows for flexibility and creativity, a student’s coursework might not perfectly match these conventional categories. Some homeschoolers may have advanced knowledge in certain areas, such as biology or literature analysis, but less exposure to others like trigonometric functions or standardized grammar rules. This mismatch doesn’t mean a homeschool education is lacking; it simply reflects a different approach to learning. Still, understanding what the ACT expects helps students close any gaps before test day.

Standardized scores can help fill gaps in a homeschool transcript. If a student has taken nontraditional courses, such as project-based science or literature through community programs, test results offer a universal point of comparison. This doesn’t mean the ACT replaces a transcript; instead, it complements it by providing an external validation of what a student has learned. Homeschoolers are often quick to adapt because their education emphasizes independent thinking and self-motivation. By identifying and filling any curriculum gaps ahead of time, they can ensure they’re just as prepared as their traditionally schooled peers.

A good starting point is to review the official ACT content outline, which details the specific skills and topics covered on each section. Homeschoolers and their teachers can then map their own coursework or reading lists against that outline to see where additional review might be needed. For instance, if a student hasn’t studied coordinate geometry in depth, they can dedicate extra practice time to that topic. Similarly, if they’ve focused on creative writing more than mechanics, brushing up on punctuation and sentence structure will help boost their English score.

Test-Taking Strategies for the ACT

Conventional schools spend lots of time preparing students for standardized tests, especially year-end tests. But not all states require those for homeschoolers, and for many of those that do, those tests are nothing more than formalities. This leads to the second hurdle: unfamiliarity with standardized testing. Without taking standardized tests, how will you learn the strategies to succeed?

The answer is smart practice and test prep that teaches you how to take the test without overworrying about what’s on the test. There are countless ways to prepare for the ACT, but the most effective approach involves consistency and realistic conditions. 

It’s important to practice in conditions that simulate the test as much as possible. Since there are digital options for the ACT now, many homeschoolers prefer that approach; that way they don’t have to worry about the paper forms. Practice tests are best taken in a quiet room with strict timing and minimal distractions– as close to the real test conditions as possible. This helps the brain associate the format and pace with comfort and confidence rather than stress. 

Before you do any studying, start with a full-length diagnostic test to establish a baseline score. This helps identify strengths and weaknesses early on, allowing students to focus their efforts strategically. From there, students should aim to complete shorter, targeted practice sessions a few times per week, supplemented by occasional full-length exams under timed conditions.

After each practice session, reviewing mistakes is just as important as taking the test itself. Understanding why an answer was wrong teaches critical reasoning and pattern recognition, two of the most valuable test-taking skills.

Many homeschoolers benefit from structured prep programs, either online or in person. Companies like Prep Expert® offer ACT courses led by instructors who specialize in teaching test-taking strategies. These courses provide expert guidance while still allowing for the flexibility homeschoolers value. The key is not how a student prepares, but that they prepare regularly and thoughtfully.

Signing Up for the ACT as a Homeschooler

Signing up for the ACT as a homeschool student is straightforward and almost identical to the process for traditional students. Start by creating an account at ACT.org, where you’ll register, choose your test date, and select a nearby testing center. When asked for a high school code, enter 969-999, the universal code for homeschoolers in the United States. You’ll then be able to upload a photo, pay the registration fee, and print your admission ticket. 

It’s best to register at least a month before your preferred test date to secure your spot, and to check any specific ID or documentation requirements for your testing site. Keeping your ACT login information handy will also make it easy to access your scores, request score reports, or reschedule if needed. It’s that easy!

Prepare for the ACT the Right Way

Ultimately, the ACT offers homeschoolers a language colleges understand. It translates the depth and diversity of a home education into a score that admissions officers can readily interpret. When approached with preparation and perspective, it becomes more than just a number; it’s proof that independent learning produces capable, adaptable, and college-ready students. 

Taking the time to prepare for the ACT the right way makes your homeschooled student that much more appealing to colleges. They have the knowledge, and prep classes can fill the skill gap to help them present the best version of themselves on their application. Prep Expert® offers a full range of ACT courses for every test date that help students prepare with confidence. Browse our ACT course catalog today to find the session that works best for you!