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ACT Writing

The Writing portion of the ACT has always been an optional portion of the exam. However, it was significantly revised in fall 2015 with the aim of better testing the kinds of analytical writing skills that are necessary for college work. Some colleges require or recommend that students take it for their application, and others don't.

With the recent revision of the SAT , the SAT Essay portion has also become optional. In light of this change, many colleges are changing their admissions policies and no longer requiring or recommending the SAT Essay or the ACT Writing section. But what does this whirlwind of change mean for you? Is the optional ACT Writing section still important?

In this article I'll break it down. First I'll give a brief of overview of the ACT writing section and how it's scored, which colleges require ACT Plus Writing, why schools require the Writing section and how they use it, and why other schools won't require the Writing section going forward. Finally I'll provide guidance on how to figure out if the ACT Writing section is important for you.

ACT Writing: a Brief Overview

On the ACT Writing section, you'll be presented with an issue and then three perspectives on that issue. You then have 40 minutes to write a unified essay that addresses the following two tasks:

#1: Present and support your own opinion on the issue

#2: Explain how your opinion and at least one other perspective is related.

The scoring system for the resulting essay is fairly complex. Two graders score your essay in 4 domains from 1-6, giving you a total potential score of 12 in each domain. Your scores between the four domains are then averaged to get your overall score from 2-12. For more on ACT Writing scoring, see our complete breakdown .

It's important to note that your score on the Writing section does not affect your composite score. However, it is a part of your English-Language Arts subscore, for which your English, Reading, and Writing scores (scaled to a 1-36 score range to calculate the ELA score) are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number.

The Writing section will also cost you an extra $16-17.

It's a little-known fact that the first step in grading your ACT essay is solving an elaborate maze.

Who Requires ACT Plus Writing?

Most (over two-thirds) of colleges do not require the ACT Writing section . However, there are quite few institutions that continue to require it for applicants, especially among elite-tier schools (including UC Berkeley and UCLA).

For the most up-to-date information on a school's position on the ACT plus Writing , check a school's admissions website.

Those schools that do require Writing have gone on the record with specific reasons for doing so. I'll break those down in the next section.

Why Do Schools Require the ACT Plus Writing?

You may be curious about why some schools require the Writing section of the ACT in light of the fact that so many schools have made it completely optional. Based on public statements from school officials, there seem to be three main reasons why schools require the ACT's optional Writing section:

Consistency

Many schools feel that the revised SAT essay is much better at testing the kinds of analytical skills important for college writing. For those schools that feel the SAT essay is worthwhile, it makes sense for them to also require the ACT's Writing section for the sake of consistency.

More Information Is Better

Some college admissions offices have the philosophy that all of the information they can get is useful in evaluating applicants. The Writing section provides another data point on a student's language and writing skills in addition to transcripts and admissions essays. Thus, schools that value having all the information that it is conceivably possible to obtain about a student tend to require ACT Writing.

See Your Writing Skills Under Pressure

The ACT Writing section gives admissions officers a unique chance to see how you use your analytical writing skills under time pressure. Your college admissions essays are polished and tightly edited pieces of writing, while your ACT Writing efforts will be much more raw and unvarnished. Again, it's another data point for schools.

The infamous Tower of Time Pressure.

These reasons provide some insight as to why schools require ACT Writing—but how do they use your scores?

How Do Schools Use ACT Plus Writing?

If you are applying to schools that require ACT Writing, it's important to know how they use it in evaluating your application. Is it a critical piece, a bit of extra fluff, or something in between?

I spoke on the phone to admissions officers at different schools about how they use the ACT's Writing section. Some themes emerged:

• Admissions officers feel that the ACT Plus Writing gives a more "rounded" picture of an applicant's skills than the ACT without Writing. Essentially, they value having the additional information about an applicant's language skills as part of their standardized test scores.
• However, they also stress that students are evaluated holistically, and their primary concern would be if a student's essay score seemed inconsistent with the student's other writing-based application materials. For example, if your application essay was phenomenal and you got straight-As in your English classes but then a overall score of 5/12 on the essay, that would be a red flag that something bizarre was going on.

The general consensus is that schools do really look at the score, but it's not a super-important part of the application unless the score seems inconsistent with an applicant's other qualifications. However, your best bet if you are interested in a given school that requires the Writing section and you want to know exactly how they use it to evaluate applicants is to call the admissions office and ask.

It's also worth (re)stating that except for in the most selective tier of institutions, schools that require the ACT Writing section are in the minority. Most schools won't require or even recommend the new optional essay, and they have their own reasons for doing so.

UC Berkeley does require the ACT plus Writing.

Why Don't Schools Require the ACT Plus Writing?

There are three main reasons that schools have given for not requiring the ACT Writing section going forward:

When the essay portion of the SAT was required, it made sense for schools to require the optional Writing section of the ACT for consistencies' sake. Now that the SAT essay is optional, however, schools can re-evaluate their stance on the issue. Schools that have decided to not require the optional SAT essay have, in general, also removed their ACT Writing requirement to preserve consistency in testing guidelines between the two tests."

The Writing Section Is Redundant

Some schools feel that they already have sufficient evidence of an applicant's writing capability through application essays and student transcripts in English. This is particularly true at institutions where multiple essays are required as part of the application.

Requiring the ACT Writing Is a Burden to Underprivileged Students

Some schools are concerned that the extra cost associated with the Writing section may be a deterrent to underprivileged students. University of Pennsylvania has stated that minority and first-generation college applicants are least likely to have a "complete testing profile." They've eliminated the ACT Writing requirement in the hopes of attracting a more diverse applicant pool.

A diverse applicant pool as represented by these decorative squashes.

Is the ACT Writing Section Important for You?

I've gone over how and why schools will require or not require the ACT Writing section going forward. But how does this affect you?

Should I Take the ACT Plus Writing?

This comes down primarily to whether or not you are applying to schools that require or recommend the ACT Writing Section. (I generally err on the side of treating recommendations as nicely-worded requirements in the college application process.)

If you don't take the ACT Writing section and later realize you need it, you will unfortunately have to retake the entire exam! So if there is even a chance you might be interested in a school that does require/recommend the Writing section, you should take it. This is especially salient if you are applying to top-tier schools, as some many require or recommend the ACT Writing section.

If you know for certain that you are definitively not interested in a single school that requires or recommends the Writing section, go ahead and skip it. But only if you know you won't change your mind!

Another note here is that if you are very good at timed analytical essay-writing, you might also want to take the Writing section even if you are only applying to schools where it is optional. A stellar score will look good on your application even if it's not required—in fact, it will show that you took some initiative.

How Important Is My Score?

The answer to this question is not completely clear-cut, as it does depend on the schools to which you are applying. What's most important in general is that your Writing score is consistent with your other test scores. It certainly doesn't have to be a perfect correlation—if you get a 36 for your composite and a 9/12 on writing, I wouldn't stress too much. But if you have a 30 composite and an 6/12 on the essay, that may cause concern among admissions officers that you aren't ready for college-level writing.

How Can I Succeed on the ACT Writing Section?

If you do need to take the Writing section, you can definitely learn the skills necessary to do well. Here are some general tips:

• Take a few minutes to plan out your essay before you start writing it!
• Be sure to discuss at least two of the perspectives in your essay, and definitely make your own opinion clear.
• Support all of the points you make with specific examples.
• Make sure your essay is logically organized and has an introduction and a conclusion.
• Write more than a page!

For more on how to hit ACT Writing out of the park, see our step- by-step guide to writing an ACT essay , 15 tips to raise your essay score , or our guide to a perfect essay score .

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Key Takeaways

Because the SAT has made the essay section of the exam optional, schools are taking the time to reevaluate their requirements for the ACT Writing section as well. Many schools have dropped the requirement entirely. However, elite-tier institutions are divided on the issue, with some continuing to require the Writing section and others dropping it.

For those schools that do require the Writing section, it may not be clear exactly how they use it in evaluating your application. The general consensus among admissions officers I spoke to was that the Writing score provided valuable information, but that it was mostly used to check for consistency in an applicant's language skills.

In evaluating whether the ACT Writing section is important for you, consider the following:

• Are you applying to schools that consider, recommend, or require the ACT Writing section? Then take the ACT Plus Writing.
• Are you not sure where you're applying yet? Take the ACT Plus Writing, because otherwise if you end up needing it later you will have to sit for the whole exam again.

If you are taking the Writing section, how important is your score? Well, it's most important that your score is generally consistent with the rest of your test scores and application profile. But the good news is that it's very possible to learn how to write an excellent ACT essay.

My final word, then, would be don't ignore the Writing section and definitely prepare for it if you're going to take it, but don't stress too much about getting a perfect score.

Nothing is truly perfect...except this puppy.

What's Next?

Wondering about the SAT essay? See our expert guide on the importance of the SAT essay.

If you're not sure how important the ACT is for college admissions, see our guide.

Prepping for the ACT? See our collection of free ACT practice tests , our comprehensive list of ACT guides , and our total guide to ACT test day .

Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points?

Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program . We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more.

Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses . If you liked this ACT Writing lesson, you'll love our program. Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get your ACT essays hand-graded by a master instructor who will give you customized feedback on how you can improve. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next.

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Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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ACT Writing Test Tips

Writing test-taking tips:.

• Budget your time . Determine how much time you will spend on planning, writing, and reviewing. Be ready to write directly from your outline since it is unlikely that you will have time to draft, review, and recopy your essay.
• Understand the prompt . Before writing, carefully read and consider the prompt. Be sure you understand the issue, the different perspectives, and your task. 
• Use the planning questions . Planning questions are included with the prompt and can help you analyze the different perspectives. Use these questions to think critically about the prompt and generate an effective response. (Planning questions are optional and not scored.) 
• Structure your essay . Use the planning space in your test booklet to structure or outline your response before writing. 
• Establish focus . Establish the focus of your essay by making your argument clear with organized ideas.  
• Support your argument . Explain and illustrate your ideas with sound reasoning and meaningful examples. Discuss the significance of your ideas. Show why your argument is important to consider. 
• Choose your words wisely . Use words that accurately and clearly communicate your ideas.  
• Check for errors.  Take a few minutes before time is called to read over your essay and correct any mistakes. If you find words that are hard to read, rewrite them. 

Eliminating Wordiness

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What is the ACT?

Many colleges require scores from the ACT or SAT tests as a part of the admissions process.  Your ACT score is a key component of your college applications.

ACT Basics

About the act.

The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

When should I take the ACT?

Most high school students take the ACT, SAT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The ACT exam is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February*, April, June, and July*.  View all upcoming  ACT test dates. *No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February or July test dates. No test centers are scheduled in California for the July test date.

What is on the ACT?

There are four ACT sections:  

The ACT also includes an optional 40-minute Writing Test. Some colleges may require that you complete the ACT Writing Test. You can confirm each college's admissions policies on the school website or on our  school profiles.

How long is the ACT?

The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long . If you choose to take the ACT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 35 minutes long.

How is the ACT scored?

Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1 to 36 point scale. Your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores, also on a scale from 1 to 36. If you take the ACT with Writing Test, you will receive a separate score on the Writing Test.

Should I take the ACT or the SAT?

Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other. That said, college-bound students are increasingly taking  both the SAT and ACT.  Changes made to the SAT in 2016 have made it easier than ever to prep for both tests concurrently—and earn competitive scores on both! The best way to decide if taking the SAT, ACT, or both tests is right for you is to take a timed  full-length practice test  of each type. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit. Try our  QUIZ: SAT, ACT, or Both?  to learn more

How do I register for the ACT?

Registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each ACT test date. You can get registration materials from your school counselor, or you can register online on the  ACT website.

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What’s Covered:

What is the act writing section, is the act writing section required, how will the writing section help you, how much does the writing section cost, how will the act impact my college chances.

Colleges are becoming increasingly test-optional, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many institutions are making exceptions to testing requirements or dropping the test altogether.

But if you’re able to take the ACT, should you also take the Writing section? Here’s what you need to consider.

The Writing section is an optional 40-minute essay that students take at the end of the multiple choice section of the ACT. This section evaluates students’ ability to communicate clearly and think critically from various perspectives on the given topic. 

The prompt you will be given presents a summary of an issue or topic, along with three statements depicting three different perspectives on that issue. Your task is to describe each of the perspectives while developing your own argument about the prompt. Your completed essay should be around 400 words long. 

The Writing section is testing your ability to present your own perspective on an issue and analyze the relationship between your perspective and at least one of the other given perspectives. You must develop and support your ideas with explanations and examples, while  organizing your ideas clearly and logically.

Two people will individually grade your essay on a 1-6 scale in four different domains: Analysis, Development Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. These scores are then averaged and scaled for a final numerical score between 2-12. 

It depends. Schools have varying policies about the Writing Section. Generally, more selective schools may require or recommend a writing score, while less selective ones may not (though there certainly are exceptions). It’s worth noting that most schools no longer require the ACT with Writing, though many schools recommend it.

However, in light of COVID-19, most schools have adopted test-optional policies and don’t require or recommend that you submit any test scores at all. Of course, it’s always best to have a strong test score to support your application if possible, but if you’re unable to take the ACT with Writing (or the entire ACT) this year, don’t worry. 

The ACT Writing Section has actually never been super important because it wasn’t factored into the composite score (unlike the Essay on the old 2400-point SAT). It’s highly possible that the ACT Essay may even get discontinued, given the College Board’s recent decision to eliminate the SAT Essay after June 2021. Some schools have stopped considering the SAT/ACT Essay altogether, including the University of California system, which used to require the essay.

Some states, however, may require the ACT with Writing for state testing purposes, or offer the full test for free to students. These states include: 

• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• South Carolina

If your state requires the test with writing, you will take the ACT with Writing during a school day for free. If your school offers the full test for free, you should strongly consider taking advantage of the opportunity.

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Demonstrating a strong Writing score to college admissions committees may slightly boost a student’s chances, especially if the student has an otherwise weak English background (that may be apparent is other aspects of the application). However, generally colleges do not value a strong Writing score as heavily as English grades and the strength of the application essays. 

If you’re homeschooled or an international student, getting a high score on the ACT with Writing may give you a larger boost (and the Writing section could be required in non-COVID years for you). Because these students have a less standardized curriculum, the Writing section gives admissions officers another way to evaluate their writing and language skills.

During COVID-19, it really isn’t necessary to take the Writing section, unless one of your schools still requires it (which would be a very rare situation). If you’re able to prepare properly and test safely, taking the Writing section can give you a small boost, however.

In non-COVID years, we recommend that you take the Writing Section if any of your schools require or encourage it. If you’re not sure where you’re applying, you should take it just to be safe.

The ACT Writing section costs an additional $15, making the overall test $70 with the Writing section. If the cost poses a challenge for students, they may qualify for a fee waiver . 

To qualify, students must be in 11th or 12th grade, be taking the test in the U.S., U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico, and meet at least one of the indicators of economic need found on the ACT fee waiver form . However, students may not apply for a waiver themselves, rather, their high school must apply for them. We suggest you work with your school counselor to determine eligibility. 

Of course, there is also a time cost for preparing for and taking the ACT with Writing. Students are also encouraged to prepare for the essay section by reading through the grading rubric and some example essays, as well as trying a few practice essays to simulate the exam day. 

The ACT is just one factor of the college admissions process. A strong score can boost a student’s chances and get their application read, but will not guarantee admission. Selective colleges use a metric called the Academic Index (AI) to evaluate the strength of applicants’ grades and test scores. If your AI is below a certain threshold (varies by school), certain schools may not even review your entire application. 

We’ve designed a free Admissions Chances Calculator to help you understand the impact of your ACT score. The calculator will plot out your score against other applicants to give you an idea how you compare to others. In addition, we provide tips on improving other aspects of your application, including grades and extracurriculars.

You can also use this tool to search for schools based on preferences like location, major, cost, and more. Try it out to help you refine your college strategy!

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How to Write an ACT Exam?

Your high school GPA may play an important role in your college admission, but the ACT exam may have the final say. What is an ACT exam? The ACT is an entrance exam that most colleges utilize to decide on a candidate's admission. The main purpose of the writing test is to disclose and measure the applicants' readiness for college studies. 

The admission officers review the test score along with your high school GPA to make their final decision. Of course, the classes that you took, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation from your teachers, and your application, where you discuss the high school experience from your own perspective, will be reviewed as well. While the importance of the ACT scores may vary from college to college, the higher the score, the more options for the college enrollment you have. 

The ACT exam consists of four sections that include English, Reading, Math, and Science. Aside from that, the prospective candidates are given forty minutes to do the writing test. Writing an essay can be quite difficult; that's why you need to prepare for it. The good news is that ACT essay examples are available online, and you can view sample in this article as well. So, basically, that's what the ACT exam is about. But let's dive into the details with our dissertation help services team. 

What is the ACT Exam?

The ACT exam 2022 consists of several sections that reveal your knowledge of various school subjects. The ACT exam stands for “American College Test”. It's a multiple-choice test where you have a number of questions and several options of answers. And you need to be ready to give it almost four hours. 

How long is the ACT exam exactly? You have two hours and fifty-five minutes for the multiple-choice test and forty minutes for the writing section. The ACT exam 2022 length gives you enough time to choose the correct answers and dive into your essay, which is quite complex. Basically, in the writing test, you will have to expand on the provided important topic and three different perspectives on it. 

When writing a coherent essay, make sure that you show your abilities in several core aspects. You need to be capable of generating ideas and analyzing them from various perspectives. It's also crucial that you provide pieces of evidence that support your viewpoint. The essay must be organized logically, so the reader can easily slide through the narrative. Finally, proper written language use and conventions are also extremely important. 

The Structure of the ACT Writing Test

If you are planning to pass the ACT exam 2022, you need to know the structure of the exam. First, let's look at the time you're given for completing each section, as well as the number of questions each ACT section has. What is the ACT exam, if not an exercise on time management? You have to plan basically every minute while you're taking it. Let's divide the ACT exam length for every section:

How to Write an Act Exam

All in all, you have 3 hours and 35 minutes for the ACT exam, meaning that you have just enough time to go through the test once and mark all of the right answers. Aside from it, students have a ten-minute break after the Math section and five minutes rest before they start writing the essay. Try doing an ACT practice exam and actually see when you might need breaks. You've already learned the most important aspects of the written ACT exam scoring. Now, let's take a look at each section of the multiple-choice test. 

English Test

The ACT English test consists of 75 questions, and the 45 minutes given for it means that you'll have between 30 and 40 seconds for each writing. This section can be divided into three parts in terms of content:

Conventions of Standard English 

This is by far the largest part of the test, as more than 50% of the test is devoted to the conventions. The questions focus on grammar, syntax, punctuation, and the correct use of words. Here you may be asked to choose the correct verb or tense. This part focuses on the general rules of English, so you don't have to write essays, sharing your own perspective on world problems or books.

Production of Writing

Around 30% of the test is devoted to the production of writing. Here, students are given passages from the various texts to check how good they are at seeing the big picture. You must choose the correct answer based on the tone or purpose of the passage. Questions in this section also concern the literary style and strategies used by the author. 

You may need to also know what is diversity essay while preparing for the exams.

Knowledge of Language

This is the smallest part of the English test, as its share ranges between 10% and 20%. This segment focuses on style, tone, and precision. 

The Math test may seem to be a bit too easy at the beginning. But that's because it's arranged in order of difficulty. Basically, you can say that out of sixty questions; the first twenty are quite easy. The next twenty questions are of medium difficulty, while the last twenty questions are the most difficult ones. Check an ACT practice exam to see at what point you really start to struggle with the questions so that you have an idea of what to review. Now, let's see the percentages that each math topic has in the test:

• Pre-algebra - accounts for 20%-25% of questions;
• Elementary algebra - ranges between 15% to 20% of questions;
• Intermediate algebra - up to 20% of questions;
• Coordinate geometry - takes 15%-20% of questions;
• Plane geometry - around 25% of questions;
• Trigonometry - ranges between 5% to 10% of questions;

The good thing is that the ACT exam allows using a calculator, so you don't have to waste a lot of time if you are not the brightest in terms of calculation. 

Reading Test

The reading test has a lot in common with the production of writing questions in the English test. In this section, students are given passages from texts and questions about the passages. You may be asked to identify the author's attitude toward the main subject of the passage. The meaning of this or that word in the context of the passage. The main idea of the body paragraphs. The meaning of the phrase or the function this or that sentence serves within the text. The important part is that you don't have to develop your unique perspective of the text - this is the part of the test that measures your ability to analyze given information without adding your own perspective on the issue.

Science Test

The Science section includes topics like biology, chemistry, space and earth sciences, and physics. You may be asked to pick the right conclusion from the options you have for graphs and diagrams. The section includes questions on conflicting viewpoints. Here, students are provided with a description of a certain phenomenon with several hypotheses on its explanation. Then you need to choose which assumption reflects the notion provided in the questions. 

How to Improve Your Writing Skills?

Considering the ACT exam dates 2022, you still have time to practice the ability to discuss ideas and convey arguments with clarity - improve your writing skills for the essay. You don't know the topic you’ll get, so deciding to buy an essay paper won't be that helpful. But there are a few things that you can do to improve your writing for the ACT exam. 

• Read and write - if you do it frequently, you won't have problems with the test;
• Get familiar with current social issues and various opinions on them;
• Taking debate classes will prepare you for the essay;
• Try writing extracurricular activities, like creative writing clubs;
• Share your writing with others;

Basically, improving your writing can be shaped into a simple formula: read-write-repeat. Read how other people write and try writing yourself. That will master the style and improve your ACT exam scoring. You can try blogging to master your skills. As for the organization of your writing, you can always seek advice from your English teachers and generate productive ideas. Asking your classmates and friends what they think of your writing can also help greatly. Just remember that no one is born with perfect writing skills. You can achieve it only through practice. 

Use our free Plagiarism Checker!

How to Write an ACT Essay?

After all, despite the complexity of the ACT exam 2022 multiple-choice tests, the essay task remains the most difficult part of it. You might have checked ACT essay examples, but writing one yourself in a short time of 40 minutes can be quite stressful. You need to have a strategy for writing. So, here are the steps that can help you. 

• Devote around ten minutes to planning your essay. 
• Think of the way you're going to organize it. 
• Read the one writing prompt and the multiple perspectives, and choose the one you're going to work on. If you check an example ACT essay, you know what to do. 
• Brainstorm the ideas and analysis, as well as supporting pieces of evidence you can provide. 
• Picture the structure of your essay, and then devote 30 minutes to writing it so that you will have just enough time on the test day. 

You want to know how to write Common App Essay Prompts 2022-2023? We encourage you to check out the fresh topics in our article.

ACT Essay Sample

Finally, we are getting to something you can build your essay on. So, you are to get a prompt with three different perspectives on it, and you need to choose which one of them you're going to write your essay, just like the example ACT essay. Let's imagine that the writing prompt you get will be on cancel culture, as shown in many of last year's ACT essay examples.

"Cancel or callout culture is a tradition of removing the support for certain individuals or their work based on their actions or opinions that can be considered objectionable. Traditionally, individuals are called out on social media, which leads to the general awareness of their perceived offense. In most cases, canceling takes the form of pressuring organizations to prevent the subject of the canceling from public appearances. When it comes to business, it can include boycotting their products" — that's what the writing prompt may look like. 

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Now, let's check the three perspectives that you can be provided to defeat the ACT exam scoring system:

Perspective 1:

Cancel culture allows marginalized people to hold their tormentors accountable via public opinion when the justice system fails them. Movements like #metoo allowed numerous women and men to call out their abusers. The cancel culture leads to a safer world, free from abuse of various forms. 

Perspective 2:

While the cancel culture allows people to call out their abusers, we cannot disregard the fact that certain people can use it for their own benefit. The culture leads to people being canceled based on proofless claims, which turns the anti-abuse campaign into witch-hunting. 

Perspective 3:

Cancel culture may lead to a change in power but is ultimately unproductive when it comes to social change. As soon as it became big, it turned into simply casting stones at each other. While we may think that it leads to social justice, it's just engaging in the social media frenzy that doesn't affect real life. 

So, here you have the complex issue and three perspectives on it. First, you need to analyze and organize ideas of everything you know about the cancel culture. Think about the examples that you are acquainted with well. Then, examine each of the perspectives presented to you. Think which one is closest to your own thoughts about the issue. Alternatively, you can choose the perspective that you can support with more pieces of evidence. 

You start your essay with an analysis of the cancel culture as a whole. Then you should move to one of the perspectives given. There, you can expand and convey arguments on the topic by providing your own viewpoint. Your viewpoint must be supported by pieces of evidence. Regardless of the perspective you've chosen, in the case of cancel culture, the Harvey Weinstein and Depp vs. Heard cases will surely have something to do with it. Then you finish your essay with a logical conclusion. 

Don't forget that there must be a logical transition between the passages of your essay. The next passage must expand on the information provided in the preceding one. Your viewpoint must be followed by the supporting evidence. Here’s a sample of an essay that uses perspective two as the foundation: Here you go the ACT exam sample:

Is the ACT Essay Optional?

If you checked the ACT exam dates 2022, you have several months to prepare yourself. The first exam will occur on September 10, 2022, while the last one in the calendar year will be held on December 10, 2022. The biggest question that bugs students is whether the essay is optional. Yes, it is.  Moreover, not every college requires applicants to write an optional ACT essay.

Another important thing is that the total ACT exam scoring is not affected by your essay score. Some colleges think writing the ACT test gives candidates a more rounded score. So, all in all, the essay score matters only together with your multiple-choice results. So, why bother writing the essay at all? 

If you are highly competitive, you should try your hand in the ACT writing section. To prepare for it, you can follow the instructions given in this article and read through the ACT essay examples. If you are a mid-range student, you can opt for the writing test, but you should stress out about it, considering that many colleges do not require completing this section. Less competitive students should avoid the ACT writing test and stick to the multiple-choice test. The only reason they should take it is if the college board requires the essay for admission. 

How to Pass ACT with Flying Colors?

Now that we have discussed the ACT exam meaning, you can realize that it is not an easy task, but it's not that difficult either. Given all the information provided here, you know what to expect from the multiple-choice test and the writing portion, and you already know the ACT exam scoring system. ACT exam dates 2022 are approaching, but there is nothing to be scared of. Check the ACT essay examples , read through test tips once again, solve a few training tests, think about the logical structure of your essay, and keep the scoring rubric in mind- now you are ready to go and take the test without fearing the final score!

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What is the ACT

The act: everything you need to know.

Bonus Material: Want your FREE Step-By-Step Guide to Making an ACT Prep Plan? Download it FOR FREE here!

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test that colleges use to measure how well a student will do once they enroll in college. It’s an important part of any college application, and a high score on the ACT can distinguish you from among other applicants. 

While a standardized test such as the ACT or SAT won’t make-or-break your application, it’s still an important element of your application and a high score can help make up for other weaknesses on your application such as a less-than-perfect GPA. For students applying to competitive schools like the Ivies, a great ACT score is crucial. 

Sound intimidating? It doesn’t have to be! One of our expert tutors can guide you through the process. Contact us to learn more about how we’ve helped thousands of students gain admission to their dream schools.

In the meantime, read below to learn more about the ACT, and check out the wealth of resources we’ve gathered to help you ace the ACT. 

Download the Step by Step Guide To Making an ACT Prep Plan

Jump to section: Why should I take the ACT?  What’s on the ACT?  The ACT English Section The ACT Math Section The ACT Reading Section The ACT Science Section The ACT Essay What is considered a “good” ACT score?  When should I take the ACT?  How do I know if I’m ready to take the ACT?  What are some ways to prepare for the ACT?  What’s the difference between the ACT and the SAT? Next steps

Why Should I Take the ACT?

The point of the ACT is to try to measure what students have learned in high school. The ACT evaluates a student’s abilities in core academic areas, providing insight into how the student will perform on college-level coursework and their readiness for college. The test assesses a college-bound student’s written, quantitative, verbal, and scientific skills. 

That means taking the ACT and doing well on it can help make your college application more competitive. If you can achieve a high score on the ACT, that can help your application stand out to the admissions department at your dream school– it shows schools that you’re ready for college-level courses!

High standardized test scores aren’t make-or-break, but they can definitely give your application a boost during the admission process, especially for selective schools!

You should identify what admitted students at your target school usually score on the ACT. This will help give you a better idea of what your target score should be in order to be a competitive applicant at your target schools. 

Want to learn more about average ACT scores, and what’s considered a competitive score for admission? Skip right to our section on What is considered a “good” ACT score?

Over the pandemic, some schools went “test-optional,” meaning that students could decide whether or not to take the ACT as part of their admissions application to their chosen schools. 

Some schools have since started requiring the ACT again – you should make sure to check if your target school requires the ACT or not. 

If your target school or schools do not require the ACT, you still might want to take it anyway. Why? A good ACT score can help distinguish your application, especially in comparison to other students. 

At PrepMaven, we strongly recommend taking at least one standardized test – either the ACT or the SAT– if you plan to apply to colleges. Many schools require at least one test as part of the admission process, but even if your schools don’t, an impressive score on the ACT or SAT helps you stand out from the crowd, especially in an increasingly competitive admissions environment. For selective schools, you’ll definitely want to take either the ACT or SAT. 

Plus, a high score on the ACT can mean that you find yourself eligible for merit scholarships, better course placement once you get to college, or better financial aid. Plus, a competitive standardized test score can help make up for weaker spots on your application, such as a weaker GPA or lack of extracurricular activities, or it can make an already strong application even stronger. 

Ready to get started? Download our Step-By-Step Guide to preparing for the ACT for free here!

What’s on the ACT?

The ACT consists of four sections that test your college readiness in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional writing section that includes one essay.

Now, what about each section of the test? 

The ACT English Section

The ACT English has five passages with corresponding multiple-choice questions. You’ll be asked to evaluate each of the passages and decide whether the grammar and punctuation are correct. This will test your understanding of the English language and verbal reasoning skills. 

You’ll be asked to be an editor when you look at each passage– not only will you be asked about the basics of grammar and punctuation, you’ll also be asked to evaluate the rhetoric and flow of sentences within a passage.

Broken down more precisely, you’ll be asked to prove your knowledge on: 

Production of Writing (29-32% of the test)

• Topic Development: Determine whether a text or part of a text has achieved its intended goal and demonstrate a mastery with the rhetorical part of a text. 
• Organization, Unity, and Cohesion: Demonstrate that you know how to best make a text flow smoothly and ensure that it is logically organized.

Knowledge of Language (15-17%)

• This section of the ACT English will ask you to show your ability to use precise and concise word choices while maintaining the core meaning of the sentence.

Conventions of Standard English (52-55%)

• Sentence Structure and Formation: You will be asked to make revisions to improve the writing of given sentences. 
• Punctuation: You will need to recognize punctuation errors and revise the writing accordingly. 
• Usage: You will need to recognize any errors with English language usage and make revisions to improve the passage.

One of the trickier aspects of the ACT English section is that it moves fast. In standard timing conditions, you only have about 36 seconds per question!

That’s why getting to know the test and what strategies you’ll use is crucial for success on this section. One way to maximize your chances for success on the English ACT is to learn core grammar rules: 

• Punctuation
• Verb forms: tense and agreement
• Word Choice
• Comparisons
• Sentence construction
• Parallel construction
• Faulty modifiers

Another way to maximize your ACT English score is to learn to identify the types of questions you’ll encounter. Make sure to read the full text, then determine what the question is really asking. Is the question testing your knowledge of Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language, or Conventions of Standard English? 

Once you’ve identified the type of question, remember that there’s only one right answer. Don’t get tripped up by answers that are “close” to being right. Prove each answer wrong, and then use the process of elimination until you get to the exact right answer. 

To take a deep dive into the ACT English section, which includes tips and strategies on how to maximize your score, check out our other post here: ACT English: Everything You Need to Know

The ACT Math Section

The Math section of the ACT is the longest section of the ACT at 60 minutes. Therefore, making sure to fight fatigue is important in this section. The math tested on the ACT Math will not only test your problem-solving skills, but also require you to have knowledge of certain essential concepts in many areas, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics, as well as general quantitative reasoning skills.

The breakdown of the math section is as follows: 

Preparing for Higher Math (57-60%)

• Number & Quantity (7-10%)

Questions like these will require students to demonstrate their knowledge of real 

and complex number systems. This will include knowledge of integer and rational 

exponents, and vectors and matrices.

• Algebra (12-15%)

Students will be asked to evaluate different algebraic expressions. They will also 

be asked to evaluate linear, polynomial, radical, and exponential relationships.

• Functions (12-15%)

Functions include linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial, and logarithmic functions. Students will also be asked to manipulate and translate functions.

• Geometry (12-15%)

Students will be asked to define and apply the relationships of shapes and solids, as well as solve for missing values in triangles, circles, and other figures.

• Statistics (8-12%)

Using their knowledge of statistics, students will calculate probabilities and analyze data. 

Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%)

This section will cover skills such as rates and percentages; proportional relationships; area, surface area and volume; and average and median . You will also be asked to solve more complex problems that combine different concepts into one problem. 

For maximum success on the Math ACT section, identify any gaps in your mathematical knowledge by using an ACT diagnostic test. Once you’ve identified any concepts you need review on, make a plan to go over each concept until you feel confident tackling every type of math question that appears on the ACT. 

Here’s a brief look of the concepts you’ll need to master for the Math ACT: 

• Statistics & Probability
• Algebra 1 and 2
• Number and Quantity
• Pre-Algebra
• Rates and Percentages
• Ratios and Proportions
• Volume, Surface Area, Area
• Average and Median

For a further breakdown of every math concept you need for the Math ACT section, check out our post: ACT Math: Everything You Need to Know

Learning basic standardized testing strategies will help to make the ACT Math not only less fatiguing, but will improve the accuracy of your answers. Make sure to work on: 

• Using the process of elimination to your advantage
• Interpreting word problems to make sure you know what the question is asking
• Plugging in your own numbers for variables to make abstract concepts more concrete
• Plugging numbers from the answers back into problems to improve both speed and accuracy for questions with variables
• Becoming confident in your quantitative reasoning abilities 

Sometimes it helps to consult an expert to learn standardized testing strategies. Our private tutors can help break down the ACT Math section in a way that makes it easy and doable. Contact us today to learn more about how our private tutors can help you. 

The ACT Reading Section

The ACT Reading test asks students to answer 40 questions in 35 minutes. Therefore, time management is crucial in this section! 

This section has four sections which have either one passage or two shorter passages, along with a set of accompanying multiple-choice questions, and will test your reading comprehension abilities. The topics of the passages include social studies, natural sciences, prose fiction, and the humanities. 

While the reading section can seem intimidating at first, the types of questions that will appear are very predictable. The types of questions students can expect to see on the test are questions that ask students to: 

• Find and interpret details
• Identify the main idea of a passage or paragraph
• Interpret cause and effect relationships
• Draw inferences
• Identify the meaning of vocabulary in context
• Determine sequence of events
• Identify “tone,” or an author’s point of view or attitude

How can you succeed in getting correct answers for all these different types of questions? First, make sure to answer the easiest questions first. Conquer the easier passages to preserve your mental energy for the harder passages later. Take notes on the passage as you read, highlighting important information you’ll need later. 

Then, make sure you can always prove your answer in the text. Lastly, get to know common wrong answer choices, such as extreme answers, vague answer choices, answers that make too large of a leap from the text, or answers that have the right facts from the passage, but don’t actually answer the question being asked. 

Our private tutors are experts on identifying common incorrect answers on the ACT Reading. You can contact us to learn more about how private tutoring can help you become an expert on the most common “wrong” answers. 

That being said, sometimes using the above test-taking strategies might not be enough– in that case, make good use of the process of elimination to disprove every wrong answer until you’re absolutely positive that your answer is correct. 

Want to take a deep dive into the ACT Reading section, which includes more tips and strategies on how to maximize your score? Check out our other post, ACT Reading: Everything You Need to Know . 

The ACT Science Section

The ACT Science section tests basic science concepts, but in ways that might be confusing to students. Since the science concepts have to be standardized to students across the country, the concepts themselves aren’t advanced, but the way they’re presented require a high level of analysis and thought. 

The breakdown of the ACT Science section is as follows:

Interpretation of Data (40-50%)

Students will be asked to interpret data presented in scientific tables, graphs, and diagrams; they will need to recognize trends and reason mathematically based on the data presented. 

Scientific Investigation (20-30%)

With questions that utilize Scientific Investigation, students will need to understand experimental tools, procedures, and designs, such as in scenarios that involve controls and variables, as well as the possible outcomes of experiments. 

Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (25-35%)

In this section, you’ll be asked to make predictions about the outcomes of experiments based on given models or data. You’ll also be asked to evaluate the validity of information based on how an experiment is designed or data is presented. 

For maximum success on the Science ACT section, get familiar with quickly scanning the text to find the evidence that will answer each question. You’ll need to work efficiently and accurately, especially when analyzing different charts and tables. 

Regular practice and a dedicated study plan will help you work with precision on test day. A private tutor can help you hold you accountable to your study plan. Contact us to learn more about how one of our private tutors can help create a personalized study plan for you. 

Want to take a deep dive into the ACT Science section? Check out our other post, The ACT Science Section: Everything You Need to Know . 

The ACT Essay

You’ll also have the opportunity to write an essay that will be evaluated on a scale from 2-12. You’ll receive a score from 1-6 from two trained readers. This part of the ACT is optional and won’t be factored into your final score, known as your composite score. Your essay will be graded on the strength of your: 

• Ideas and Analysis
• Development and Support
• Organization
• Language Use and Conventions

Since the essay is optional, should you bother writing one as part of your ACT test? 

Very few schools actually require the ACT writing, and we recommend taking it only if you’re targeting one of the few schools that does. 

Remember that every reader will probably spend a short amount of time analyzing your essay for quality. That means, you need to make it clear to the reader right away that you’ve organized your essay in a logical way, and that you’re ready to prove your perspective. 

Make it clear what your perspective is on the issue. Then, use concrete and specific examples to illustrate each point you make. It’s also important to show sophistication of organization in your essay. Use topic sentences that make it clear what point you’ll make in each paragraph, and use transitions to help your essay flow logically from point to point. 

How is the ACT scored?

It’s important to know how the ACT is scored, especially if you want to take diagnostic and practice tests– which you definitely should! To learn about how to proctor your own ACT diagnostic, check out our post here: How to Proctor Your Own ACT Test  

For the ACT, you get a raw score which is then computed into a scaled score for each section: English, Reading, Math, and Science. (Your writing score isn’t part of your composite score). Then, these four scores are averaged to give you a composite score, which can range from 1 (the lowest) to 36 (the highest). 

To calculate your raw score on a diagnostic test, give yourself a point for every answer that you get right. Don’t give yourself any points for any answers you get wrong or leave blank, but don’t take any points away, either. There’s no wrong answer penalty on the ACT. 

Once you add up all your points for a section, you can convert them using one of ACT’s scaling charts. Each test is slightly different, so each scaling chart will be a little different from test to test, but it should give you a close estimate. 

Excerpt from scoring table from the 2022-2023 Preparing for the ACT from www.actstudent.org . 

Once you’ve scored each section using the scaling chart, average your four sections. That will give you your composite score. 

What is considered a “good” ACT score?

A good ACT score depends on what your goals are. What schools are you trying to gain admission to? The average ACT score in 2022 was 19.8 – so if you do better than that, you’re doing better than the national average! You can learn about the latest average scores in our post here: Average ACT Scores: The Latest Data

However, better than the national average might not be enough to get you into your target school. You should check out what your target school’s incoming freshmen score on the ACT on average. The average test score at your target school will give you a better idea of what to aim for when taking the ACT. 

To give you an idea, Class of 2025 admits to Harvard had an average ACT score of 34. To learn more about what’s a “good” score on the ACT, check out our post here: Your Guide to a Good ACT Score in 2023

When should I take the ACT?

You should take the ACT at least one year before you plan to enroll in your chosen college or university – so for example, if you’re going to enroll in Fall 2025, you should take the ACT in the fall of 2024 the latest, so that you have the opportunity to possibly take multiple tests before January, when most schools have their deadlines. 

However, many students elect to take the ACT in the spring of their junior year for the first time, so that they have a chance to improve their score if needed. Make sure to keep track of the testing dates for the year, so you have plenty of opportunities to retake the test if you want. 

For a more in-depth guide as to when to take the ACT and sample testing schedules, check out our post When should you take the SAT or ACT . 

How do I know if I’m ready to take the ACT?

One of the easiest ways to know if you’re ready to take the ACT is to take a diagnostic test. You should take the test under conditions as close to the real test as possible – you should do the test timed, asking a parent or friend to help you if at all possible. 

If you want a guide to proctoring your own test, check out our post here: How to Proctor Your Own ACT Test  

Since one of the challenges of the test is the short amount of time given to answer a lot of questions, it’s important to get a sense of the timing of the test. 

What are some ways to prepare for the ACT?

One of the most important ways to prepare for the ACT: practice, practice, practice! The more you can get familiar with the types of questions you’ll see on testing day, the more likely you’ll snag a higher score. 

Our Step-by-Step Guide to the ACT helps you plan out a study timeline to help you figure out how much time you’ll need to put aside for studying leading up to the test once you’ve set your goal score. Download it for free to begin planning how you’ll prep for this important test!

Try to set aside regular time to do practice problems, especially focusing on practice test questions you struggled with. The ACT website offers from free options for online ACT practice: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html  

You don’t have to do it all alone, either. Finding a private tutor to help you make a strategic study plan is a great way to find out what concepts and question types you should be focusing on. A private tutor can help you not only make your study plan, they can hold you accountable with homework and study time. If you’re ready to learn more about what services we offer, contact us today: https://prepmaven.com/contact-us/  

We also have a comprehensive guide to preparing for the ACT so that you’ll be your best on test day. You can check it out here: https://prepmaven.com/blog/test-prep/how-to-prepare-act  

What’s the difference between the ACT and the SAT?

You might have asked yourself, should I take the ACT or the SAT? What’s the difference? While schools accept both for admissions, it is important to consider the key differences between both tests and take whatever test plays to your advantages. 

Because the ACT has four separate sections, it’s easier to “bury” a weaker math score, since it will be averaged in among three other sections, whereas on the SAT, the math score will make up 50% of your total score. 

On the other hand, the ACT tests a few advanced math concepts (like matrices and logs) not tested on the SAT. 

The ACT is also a fast-paced test – students will be expected to answer more questions in a shorter amount of time. Some students also find the ACT more straightforward and the questions less ambiguous. 

However, more and more students are choosing to take both tests and see which test they can score higher on. 

To see the ACT and SAT compared in greater detail, check out our post SAT vs ACT .

Only you can decide if taking the ACT is right for you. If you’re looking to score admission into a competitive school, you’ll likely want to take either the SAT or the ACT. Taking one or both of these tests can improve your chances of admission. 

You’ll also need to decide if your strengths are more suited to the SAT or the ACT. (That’s why you should check out our post, SAT vs ACT !) 

And if you do decide to take the ACT, you’re not alone! We can help you prepare for this important test with tutoring services from our highly skilled private tutors. They’ve helped hundreds of students get into the schools of their dreams and conquer standardized tests like the ACT. 

Contact us today to find out more about what we can offer you to help boost your ACT scores and get into the school of your dreams. And don’t forget to download our FREE Step-By-Step Guide to Making an ACT Prep Plan!

Related ACT Posts

• Average ACT Scores: The Latest Data
• ACT Scoring: Your Complete Guide for 202 4
• Your Guide to a Good ACT Score in 202 4
• When should you take the SAT or ACT
• How to Proctor Your Own ACT Test  
• SAT vs ACT : Everything You Need to Know
• ACT English: Everything You Need to Know
• ACT Math: Everything You Need to Know
• ACT Reading: Everything You Need to Know
• The ACT Science Section: Everything You Need to Know

Alexis graduated from Princeton University and holds a Masters in Music from Mannes College. She was a Fulbright scholar to Austria and a research fellow at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. She is enrolled in a doctoral program at City University New York, where she is on a prestigious Five-Year Fellowship. She has over a decade of subject tutoring and test prep (SSAT / ISEE / SAT / ACT) experience.

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Here’s How Ivy League Schools Evaluate Student GPAs

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One of the main gates on the Brown University campus, decorated with the University crest. (Photo by ... [+] Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)

A stellar GPA is one of the building blocks of a successful Ivy League application, and as the school year winds down, many students are anxiously seeking to give theirs a final boost. While most students and families understand the importance of a 4.0, few are aware of how top colleges evaluate student GPAs or what they look for when reviewing student transcripts. Though your GPA may seem to be a simple metric, nothing could be further from the case—colleges consider more than just the number, accounting for complexities such as diverse grading systems across schools, trends in grade inflation, and level of course rigor.

Here are three important facts to keep in mind about your GPA as you choose your courses:

1. Your GPA doesn’t directly compare to that of students at other schools.

One common misconception among college applicants is that they can compare their GPAs with those of students attending different schools. However, the GPA is not a universal metric but rather a reflection of an individual's academic performance within their specific educational environment. As a result, comparing GPAs from different schools is like comparing apples and oranges. For instance, some schools offer a plethora of AP, IB, and honors courses, while others may have limited options or offer none at all. Additionally, the weight assigned to AP versus honors versus regular classes varies from school to school. So, your GPA may not hold the same weight as those of your peers at different schools, even if you all have 4.0s.

Admissions officers understand that schools vary in their rigor, curriculum, and grading policies. Therefore, they evaluate your GPA in the context of your high school, considering the courses offered and the academic challenges presented. Instead of fixating on how your GPA compares to your friends’ from other schools, focus on challenging yourself and taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you at your school.

2. GPAs across the country are inflated—and colleges know it.

The last few years have seen surges in high school student GPAs nationwide. While GPA inflation has been on the rise over the last decade, average ACT composite scores are steadily declining. “For the 1.4 million ACT test-takers in the high school class of 2023, the average composite score on the exam was 19.5 out of 36, the lowest score since 1991,” according to The New York Times . The parallel differences, coupled with academic differences across schools, suggest that GPA must be considered in tandem with multiple other factors. Simply put, an A no longer means what it used to on a transcript.

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Ivy League and other top colleges are well aware of this trend and evaluate student GPAs alongside other metrics such as standardized test scores and AP exam scores in order to better understand a student’s academic skill sets. While some Ivy League and other top schools remain test-optional , they still place emphasis on course rigor and the context offered by your high school profile in order to understand the grades on your transcript.

3. Colleges will recalculate your GPA.

Given the abundance of variables in GPA calculations, colleges often recalculate the metric to create a standardized baseline for comparison between students across different schools. The recalibration may involve adjusting for variations in grading scales or the weighting of honors, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The University of California system, for example, calculates students’ UC GPAs by converting grades to grade points (an A is equivalent to 4 points, a B to three points, etc.) for classes taken between summer after 9th and summer after 11th grade, and adding one point for each honors class, and dividing by total classes taken to yield final GPA.*

Other colleges also take additional factors that impact academic performance into consideration, and envelop GPA into a broader, holistic consideration. For instance, the Harvard University lawsuit over affirmative action revealed that Harvard rates students on a scale of 1–6 (with one being the most desirable) in academic, extracurricular, athletic and personal categories. A student’s GPA and test scores are folded together into an academic score which “summarizes the applicant’s academic achievement and potential based on grades, testing results, letters of recommendation, academic prizes, and any submitted academic work.”

This process aims to provide a fair and equitable evaluation of students from different educational backgrounds. Keep in mind that Harvard considers not only your grades, test scores, and academic rigor in this score, but also “evidence of substantial scholarship” and “academic creativity,” which can make the difference between a 1 and a 2 in the scoring system. These systems underscore the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity, showcasing your unique personality and creativity, and seeking to maximize opportunities to improve your performance within the academic landscape of your institution.

By understanding the complex way by which colleges evaluate students’ GPAs, you are better equipped to present a comprehensive and competitive picture of your academic achievements on your transcript and stand out in the competitive Ivy League admissions landscape.

*Variations exist for in-state versus out-of-state students and by high school. Be sure to calculate your GPA following the UC issued guidelines.

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