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Many future college students understand they will need to take the ACT to gain admission to college but are left with many questions about it.

One of the top questions is about the difference between the ACT and SAT. The ACT is an achievement test that measures what a student has learned in school. The SAT is an aptitude test that tests reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components including English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has three components: Verbal, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.

Many students also want to know when they should take the ACT. Students should test at least two months ahead of the application deadlines of all the colleges and scholarship agencies where they intend to apply. It typically takes four to eight weeks after a test date to receive score reports. However, there are advantages to testing earlier (as much as one year earlier, such as during the junior year in high school). This can allow retesting if results are lower than necessary so that performance can be improved. It will also allow time for further study and preparation if necessary to raise scores. Another advantage to earlier testing is that colleges and scholarship programs will have access to your interests and scores in time to contact you early on about admissions, course placement, scholarships, and special programs.

Future college applicants frequently question whether or not it is to their advantage to retake the ACT. The answer to this question varies upon circumstances and individuals. Obviously if outside factors, such as illness or personal problems, were a distraction or problem on the test date, then retesting after these have been resolved can be beneficial. Similarly, if additional study or practice is expected to raise scores, then retesting can also be a good idea. ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once 55% increased their composite score; however 23% decreased their composite score. So obviously simply retesting is a bit of a gamble.