Everything you Need to Know About ACT but Were Afraid to Ask
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Every student who dreams of college or higher education after high school has probably heard of the ACT. Maybe you are a parent or student that has even found this page because you want to understand more about it. You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will demystify the ACT and break down the following:
- What is ACT?
- Why is it so important?
- Do colleges even need ACT scores?
- What does the ACT cover?
- What can you do to increase your score?
- How can you maximize your scholarship?
What is the ACT?
The ACT (originally the American College Test), like the SAT, is a standardized test accepted by most colleges and universities for admissions and scholarship purposes. The exam was created in 1959 by a University of Iowa professor who wanted an alternative to the SAT. The exam was inherently different than the pre-2016 SAT. With the release of a redesigned SAT in March of 2016, the tests are now strikingly similar, as they test information students learn in school.
Why is the ACT So Important?
The ACT is a link between the high school curriculum and college performance. Colleges need a standardized scale to assess student competence properly: an A in the #1 Ranked school in a city often differs from a remote county school. Colleges look for a holistic student: ACT is one source of data employed to help them make that decision. Additionally, college scholarships are frequently dependent on standardized scores.
Wait… I Thought Colleges Don’t Need ACT Scores Anymore!
Your college application is like your resume. Each piece of information gives colleges a source to check the compatibility of the students with the college: GPA, extracurricular activities, volunteer hours, test scores, awards all compose a complete picture of the student. If ACT scores are not included, that excludes a vital puzzle piece. If the scholarships don’t matter to you, you need not worry about the ACT. However, if you want to get a scholarship, working towards your best possible score is in your best interest.
A well-disciplined student may practice consistently and improve their score. If they need a guide with 8+ years of experience in giving tips, tricks, strategies, Rocket City Learning Center is here to help.
What’s On the ACT Test?
The ACT measures a student’s skills in five core areas: English, math, reading, science, and writing (optional). Traditionally, students in grades 11 & 12 take the ACT and submit their scores to colleges as part of the application process.
You can see what’s specifically covered in each core area here: www.act.org/content
What You Can Do to Increase Your ACT Score
ACT is different from the usual tests taken at school, so students need to acquire the necessary skills. If a student can walk into the test and make a score of 33 or greater, there is nothing to worry about, but most students can’t do that. Here are a few things you can do at home to improve the score:
- Encourage Kids to read books from different genres and authors
- Get a benchmark of what their current score is
- Set a goal depending on the desired college
- Practice, practice, practice!
How You Can Maximize Your Scholarship Chances
A well-disciplined student may practice consistently and improve their score. If they need a guide with 8+ years of experience in giving tips, tricks, strategies, Rocket City Learning Center is here to help. We start by administering a sample test then use those results to customize a study plan according to student needs. We have various options: small group, standard group, and one-on-one classes.
Rocket City Learning Center ACT Prep Tutoring
Location: 540 Hughes Road, Madison Al 35758 (map)
Phone: 256-251-5447
View Website | Facebook Page
Compare our ACT prep course offerings here.
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ABOUT ROCKET CITY LEARNING CENTER
RLC is a leader in test prep in the Madison and Huntsville areas and expanding. We are raising the score by +5-average points consistently for seven years, saving families thousands of dollars in college tuition. Our students come from every high school in Madison County. Our Online students now include areas from Atlanta, Detriot, Florida, and California. We have served over 3000 ACT students, creating over 100 million in scholarship money. We have more than 100,000+ tutoring hours under our belts. The RLC students are attending Duke, UAB, UAH, Emory, and many other prestigious colleges. They are proud to say that the first group is in prestigious medical, business, and law schools. RLC participates with local schools as a partner to help them provide quality education for the local children.
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