Assessment Overview

ACT is adding a 30-minute Writing Test as an optional component to the ACT Assessment beginning in February 2005 for students testing within the United States who are applying to college for the fall of 2006 or later.

The ACT Writing Test complements the English Test. The combined information from both tests tells postsecondary institutions about students' understanding of the conventions of standard written English and their ability to produce a direct sample of writing.

Because postsecondary institutions have varying needs, the ACT Writing Test is offered as an option.

Postsecondary institutions are making their own decisions about whether to require the results from the ACT Writing Test for admissions and/or course placement purposes. Students will decide whether to take the Writing Test based on the requirements of the institutions they are considering. Students are not required to take a test that they do not need to take, thus incurring unnecessary expense, and institutions have the freedom to require the tests that best meet their information needs.

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