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Why Take the ACT?
Top 6 Reasons to Take the ACT
Reason #2: Financial Aid & Scholarships
Reason #3: Academic Guidance
Reason #4: Vocational Exploration
Crimson Insights: Q & A
Wondering if you should take the ACT? What's the purpose of the ACT? What are the benefits? In this blog post, we'll explore six key reasons to take the ACT, even if you're applying to test-optional schools. From college admissions to merit-based scholarships and career exploration, the ACT offers a range of benefits that can help you succeed in college and beyond. Read on to learn more about the purpose of the ACT and why you should consider taking it!
Some students wonder, Should I take the ACT? What’s the purpose? What are the benefits?
A top reason students take the ACT is for college admissions. According to ACT.org, test scores reflect what students have learned throughout high school and provide colleges and universities with excellent information for recruiting, advising, placement, and retention...
But did you know that over a million students take the ACT each year? That’s a lot, and college applications aren't the only purpose of all of these test takers. Of course ACT scores are often important for college admissions, but you may not realize how many other potential benefits taking the ACT offers.
Finally, in some cases the decision to take the ACT might not be up to you — some high schools require all students to take the test, or take a similar test, such as the SAT or the PSAT.
Once you’ve taken the ACT, however, it’s still important to make informed decisions about retaking the ACT, including whether you should, and how many times.
With these points in mind let's delve into the top 6 reasons you may want to take the ACT. College Admissions is top reason #1 of course, but there are many others to explore, so keep reading!
One of the most important reasons to take the ACT is to make sure you give yourself the best odds possible when applying to college, especially if you’re applying to any highly competitive or moderately competitive schools.
1. Avoiding missed opportunities.
According to FairTest, a public interest group that reports on the use of standardized tests, some 90% of US colleges and universities are now test-optional, test-free, or test-blind. This can lead many students to think there’s no need to take the ACT, period.
That said, I'm quick to tell students they should consider which schools still do require testing — since these include schools like MIT, Georgetown, and Purdue.
And, with a shift back to test requirements gaining momentum, there are now several Ivy League schools, plus Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and other impressive institutions reinstating testing in the very near future.
This trend means taking the ACT will increase the odds you’re ready to meet all application requirements on time — wherever you decide to apply and regardless of shifting test policies at individual schools.
2. Benefits to think about even when applying to test-optional schools.
A good number of test-optional schools rank among the best and most selective universities in the US — schools such as Columbia, UPenn, University of Chicago, Tufts, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, and others...
However, many of these top schools still recommend students submit test scores.
So it's probably best not to leave anything to chance. Taking the ACT can help your applications stand out across a range of top schools, be they test-required or test-optional!
3. Other ways taking the ACT can benefit your college admissions goals:
As you can see, there are many benefits to taking the ACT, for college admissions alone, not to mention other ways taking the ACT test can benefit high school students.
Check out these posts from Crimson Strategists for more about how to assess your ACT score and score rank, and tips for improving your score:
How Many Times Can You Take the ACT?
Whether you’re already taking the ACT or still deciding whether to take it, it’s worth remembering there are many ways to benefit from ACT test results, even beyond vying for college admission at top-ranked schools.
Keep reading to discover more reasons you should consider taking the ACT for your college journey…
In addition to boosting college applications, an ACT score report can help students qualify for and win merit-based financial aid, which could take the form of programmatic scholarships or full-ride institutional grants.
In fact, according to the BBC, a survey from The Princeton Review found that 36% of respondents said financial aid was their main reason for taking standardized exams.
Crimson admissions strategists point out, however, that many merit-based scholarships are likely to assess academic merit without requiring an ACT score, and merit-based scholarships are also less prevalent at the most competitive schools, so each individual needs to evaluate the potential benefits of taking the ACT for securing financial aid.
Here are some key insights to think about when weighing the potential benefits of taking the ACT for merit-based scholarships, based on recent reporting by FairTest and by Forbes:
Over the last forty years, says educator Peter Greene writing for Forbes, “states have been shifting scholarship money away from needs-based and towards merit-based programs." This trend highlights why taking the ACT could help you qualify for some scholarships.
However, researchers with FairTest present a slightly different perspective, pointing out that only about half of state merit-based scholarship programs relied on test scores — which also means of course that about half don't require scores.
Moreover, among merit scholarship programs at “flagship” public universities, only about a third required test scores.
Clearly, earning a solid ACT score may open doors to some important scholarship opportunities, but organizations such as FairTest are more skeptical, arguing that marketing campaigns by test publishers and test prep vendors may overly influence families’ concerns about standardized testing and merit-based scholarships.
According to FairTest, “only a quarter of all current ‘merit’ aid scholarships have test-score requirements.” Therefore, they argue, students should think twice before allocating lots of effort and resources to test taking and test preparation.
Another potential benefit of taking the ACT is that the detailed score reporting can provide additional academic guidance as you chart a path through high school course selections.
If you’re planning to apply to a selective college or university, admissions officers will most likely be looking to see if you challenged yourself by selecting courses that increase in academic rigor from one year to the next. One purpose of the ACT test is to help students assess their readiness for more challenging academic curriculum.
And, even if you’re not planning on applying to a top-ranking university, you’ll want to finish high school with as strong an academic foundation as possible, as a stepping stone to the best possible opportunities after high school.
Here are four specific ways to think about the benefits of the ACT test for academic guidance:
Using ACT scores to assess and track your academic progress could also provide some practical insights for vocational exploration.
Across all sections of the ACT, but especially the Reading and English sections, your test performance will reveal a lot about your English language proficiency.
If English is your second language and/or you’re an international student applying to top schools in the US or UK, ACT testing could further prepare you to perform better on English proficiency tests, often required for international applicants, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET…
Likewise, ACT offers subject matter tests that may be of interest to English learners or international students making plans to study in the US. These include the following subjects: English 1, English 2, and US History.
And did you know that students who earn a certain ACT score on relevant tests may qualify to waive language testing requirements for admission, at some US colleges and universities?
Columbia University in New York, for example, allows international students who achieve a certain ACT score to qualify as English proficient, as per Columbia's official policy:
To be considered for admission to Columbia, you must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English. There are several different ways to demonstrate that you are proficient in English on your application:
If you meet one or more of the above criteria, you have fulfilled Columbia’s English language proficiency requirement.
Policies and required score levels vary, so be sure to review all admissions policies and requirements carefully wherever you plan to apply.
Many students and families are understandably hyper-focused on college applications and admissions, as the outcome can be so transformative. This makes it easy to forget that many motivated high school students will be applying to more than colleges...
In addition to potentially applying for scholarships, you may decide to apply to competitive, merit-based honors or enrichment programs — while still in high school or after enrolling in college. These could include:
A strong ACT score record offers you one more way to demonstrate your qualifications and readiness for these kinds of exceptional programs, one more reason it may make sense to to take the ACT.
Here are some common questions I get from students about the ACT, reasons to take it, and when to take it along with some tips and suggestions to guide your own decision making and next steps.
Some strategists and students don’t see too many compelling reasons to pick the ACT over the SAT, or vice versa. But certain features of the ACT make it a favorable choice for some of our students.
For more insights, check out: ACT vs. SAT: What’s the Difference and Which Test Should You Take?
Some education advocates in the anti-testing camp argue that test scores are not very relevant indicators of success in college and aren’t worth your time and resources, especially now that a significant majority of colleges are test-optional or test-free.
As admissions strategists with insights from the Crimson FAOs (Former Admissions Officers) in our network, however, we encourage students to consider which schools they plan to apply to and to stay attuned to the changing testing landscape.
Remember, many top schools either require test scores or recommend submitting them, making ACT testing (or taking the rival SAT) an almost essential step for most highly motivated students.
Let’s recap some of the important points students and families should keep in mind when making final decisions about whether to take the ACT or not…
To find out which US colleges and universities currently require ACT/SAT testing or are reverting to test requirements in the near future, check out: Top Colleges that Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2024/2025.
For a list of test-optional schools check out: Top 100 Colleges that Are Test Optional in 2024/25.
To perform well, many students will find it helpful to get some practice by taking and then retaking the ACT, leaving time between test cycles to get and review score reports and doing additional test prep accordingly.
Remember, in many cases you'll typically get more benefit from the ACT by scoring above the 75th percentile nationally overall, or even better, in the top 5–to–10% nationally when targeting very selective schools.
To allow time for multiple attempts and interim study, review, and practice, Crimson strategists typically recommend students start taking the ACT in the spring of their sophomore year or the summer or fall as (rising) juniors.
That said, knowing the best time to take the ACT really depends on each individual’s circumstances, interests, and goals, which is why we take a very personalized approach to helping students navigate admissions planning and decision making.
Some steps to consider for deciding when it makes sense to take the ACT based on your own circumstances and priorities include:
What Makes Crimson Different
You now know that the ACT offers students a multitude of benefits beyond boosting outcomes for college admissions.
ACT test taking provides a comprehensive assessment of academic skills, facilitates vocational exploration, and opens doors to merit-based scholarships and financial aid. Even for students applying to test-optional schools, the ACT can enhance their applications and provide valuable insights.
Remember, the decision to take the ACT is not always a choice, but when it is a choice, consider the potential benefits for your larger college journey: assessing your personal areas for academic growth or acceleration, or for reflecting on which college major or future career path to pursue.
For further guidance and support, we encourage you to request a free feedback session with our Crimson Education Strategists. They can answer any questions you have about ACT testing, provide personalized feedback on your scores, and help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence. Schedule your personal feedback session today!