What can you not do on the ACT?

Remember these rules while taking the ACT test:
  • Don't bother bringing these forbidden items to the test center: highlighters, colored pens or pencils, scratch paper, notes, dictionaries, or other study aids. ...
  • Turn off all alarms, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets while in the test room.


What is not allowed in the ACT?

Don't bring any of these; you can't access them:

Textbooks, foreign language or other dictionaries, scratch paper, notes, or other aids. Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, or correction fluid/tape. Any electronic device, other than a permitted calculator and acceptable watch or timing device. Reading material.

Can I listen to music during ACT?

Whichever category you fall into, you should never have the TV or music playing while you take an ACT practice test. Familiarize yourself with taking the ACT in a quiet room.


Is it hard to get an 18 on the ACT?

Earning an 18 on the ACT puts you at the 38th percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 38% of all test takers.

What should you not do before the ACT?

Don't cram

You should not be studying any new material! You can certainly review ACT math formulas you intend to use and recommended ACT approaches, but do not cram new information into your brain!


Why You Should Take the ACT®



Is a 19 okay on the ACT?

What percentile is a 19 ACT score? A 19 ACT score puts you at a 44th percentile, meaning you score higher than 44% of all test takers.

Is a 23 on the ACT OK?

A score of 23 on the ACT is above the current national average and will make you a strong applicant at many universities, but it may fall below the average score for accepted students at more selective colleges. The higher your ACT score, the more options are open to you.

What is the lowest ACT score to get into college?

The top 100 US colleges and universities consider ACT scores from 17 to 36 good. The majority of highly selective schools prefer applicants with ACT scores of 30 and higher. On the other hand, many high-ranking US schools that are not that selective accept students with ACT scores of at least 18.


Is a 21 on the ACT OK?

Is a 21 ACT Score (50th Percentile) Good? A 21 ACT score is a little bit better than the average score of 20.8. Because of this, a 21 is a commonly accepted score at many schools, but it may not make you competitive at selective schools.

What if I have a high GPA but low ACT scores?

In most colleges, a high GPA may compensate for low ACT/SAT scores. Put extra time into writing an exceptional admission essay that will impress the judges and sway their decision in your favor, regardless of your test scores.

Can I go to the bathroom during ACT?

Yes, examinees may go to the restroom during testing, however they may not make up the time and the Room Supervisor may have to recheck the examinee's identification.


Can I take ACT just for fun?

Taking the ACT is definitely not something to do for fun. Preparing for the ACT is a big time commitment (not to mention spending 4+ hours on a Saturday to take the test). Don't do take the ACT if you don't need to, but there are three good reasons to take the ACT.

Should I chew gum during the ACT?

Chew Gum. Just like listening to music, chewing gum has been found to boost your brainpower. It increases reaction times and helps with your studying. Keep a pack next to you while you're working through your next study hour for the SAT or ACT.

Can you talk during ACT break?

Don't talk about exam content at any time.

This is a tough rule to follow, but don't talk about specific questions during breaks or after the test. The ACT doesn't want you sharing information about test questions because questions are often reused.


Is a 20 on the ACT OK?

What Is a Good ACT Score Overall? A good ACT score ranks you higher than the majority of test-takers. As such, any composite score above the 50th percentile, or 19-20, can be considered a solid score. That said, a 20 won't cut it at many competitive colleges.

Is a 25 on the ACT okay?

Earning an ACT score of 25 puts you above average, making you eligible at a wide variety of schools and competitive at some selective institutions. To put this accomplishment in another light, a 25 ACT score puts you at the 75th percentile — that means you scored higher than 75% of all test takers.

What ACT score is needed for Harvard?

Average ACT score for Harvard University (With Writing)

The average ACT score for students who get accepted into Harvard is between 32 and 35. This is well above the national average of 21.


Is a 27 ACT score good?

Is a 27 ACT Score (85th Percentile) Good? A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid!

What score do you need on the ACT to get a full scholarship?

Overall, my research so far has been surprising in that there are a few schools that will offer full-tuition scholarships starting in the 22 – 25 ACT range, but most full-ride scholarships require a 28 ACT or higher.

How many times can you take the ACT?

ACT Inc., which administers the exam, lets you take the test up to 12 times, though it's best to take it no more than 2-3 times. Beyond that, you're unlikely to boost your scores substantially. What's more, multiple retakes might reflect negatively on your college application.


Which ACT scores do colleges look at?

In general, most colleges will use your best scores on the ACT to judge your application whether that means Superscoring or just using your best one-time composite score out of the scores you decide to send them.

How hard is the ACT test?

At its core, the ACT tests relatively basic concepts, so you're unlikely to see any content that's totally unfamiliar to you. However, it can definitely be challenging depending on how much you prepare and how well you've learned the material in school.

Is 26 a low ACT score?

Is 26 ACT Score Good? With a score of 26, you are in the 83th to 85th percentile of all test takers. More likely than not, with a score of 26, you'll often be in or near the commonly accepted range at selective colleges.


Is 21 a good ACT score for a 7th grader?

What's a Good SAT / ACT Score for a 7th Grader? From the table above, we can conclude that a good SAT / ACT score for 7th graders, a score that beats three-quarters of similar students in the USA, is a 16 on the ACT and an 800 on the SAT.

Is 20 a low ACT score?

A 20 ACT score puts you at the 49th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 49% of all test takers — which is certainly something to be proud of! To increase your competitiveness during the college application process, though, you'll want to meet or exceed the national average, which is closer to a score of 21.