For high school students planning for college, standardized testing can feel like just one more item on an already long to-do list. With college admissions policies changing frequently, students and families may wonder whether taking the ACT is still worthwhile.

For many students, the answer can be yes. The ACT can provide an additional way to demonstrate academic preparation, help students identify areas for improvement, and keep more college and scholarship options available.

Here are several reasons students should consider taking the ACT.

1. The ACT Can Strengthen a College Application

A college application typically includes many different pieces of information, including grades, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and other accomplishments.

An ACT score can provide another data point for admissions offices to consider. Because the test is administered under standardized conditions, it can give colleges a common measure of academic skills across students who attend different high schools.

For students who earn strong scores, submitting an ACT result may provide additional evidence of their academic preparation.

2. It Can Demonstrate Academic Strengths

Students have different academic strengths. Some may excel in the classroom but find standardized tests challenging, while others may perform particularly well on timed assessments.

The ACT measures skills in areas including English, mathematics, reading, and science, with an optional Writing component. Performing well in one or more of these areas can help demonstrate a student's academic abilities.

A student's score report can also reveal areas that may benefit from additional preparation.

3. Taking the ACT Can Keep College Options Open

College testing policies vary. Some schools require standardized-test scores, while others are test-optional or have different requirements depending on the applicant.

Taking the ACT gives students a score that they can potentially use if a college, program, scholarship, or other opportunity considers standardized-test results.

Students should always research the current testing policies of the colleges they are considering, since requirements can change.

4. ACT Scores May Help With Scholarships

Some colleges and organizations consider standardized-test scores when awarding merit scholarships or determining eligibility for certain academic programs.

A strong ACT score can therefore have value beyond the admissions application itself. For families concerned about the cost of college, researching scholarship requirements early can be particularly important.

Not every scholarship uses ACT scores, however, so students should check the specific requirements for each opportunity.

5. The ACT Can Help Students Prepare for College-Level Work

Preparing for the ACT involves practicing skills that can be useful beyond the test itself.

Students may spend time reviewing mathematics, improving reading comprehension, strengthening grammar and writing skills, and learning how to work efficiently under time constraints.

Developing these habits can contribute to stronger academic preparation as students transition from high school to college.

6. Students Can Use the ACT to Identify Areas for Improvement

One of the most useful reasons to take the ACT is the information it can provide.

A student may discover that mathematics is a strength but reading requires additional practice. Another student might find the opposite. Knowing where improvement is needed allows students to create a more targeted study plan.

Rather than simply viewing the ACT as a score, students can use their results as feedback.

7. The ACT Provides an Opportunity to Practice Standardized Testing

Standardized tests can be unfamiliar and stressful, particularly for students who have never taken one before.

Taking the ACT gives students an opportunity to become familiar with the testing environment, question formats, pacing, and time-management requirements.

Even if a student's first score isn't the one they hoped for, the experience can provide valuable information for future preparation.

8. The ACT Is Not the Only Measure of a Student's Potential

While the ACT can be useful, students should remember that a test score does not define their academic ability or future potential.

Colleges may consider many factors when evaluating applicants. High school performance, course selection, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and other accomplishments can all contribute to an application.

The ACT should therefore be viewed as one component of a broader college-planning strategy.

How Students Can Make the Most of the ACT

Students who decide to take the ACT can improve their preparation by starting early and developing a realistic study plan.

A good preparation strategy might include:

• Taking a practice test to establish a baseline.

• Identifying strengths and weaknesses.

• Reviewing concepts that need additional work.

• Practicing with questions that reflect the current ACT format.

• Developing time-management strategies.

• Taking additional practice tests as test day approaches.

• Getting help from a teacher, tutor, or test-preparation program when needed.

The goal isn't simply to spend as many hours as possible studying. Effective preparation focuses on identifying what needs improvement and using study time efficiently.

The Bottom Line

The ACT remains a useful option for many college-bound students. It can provide another way to demonstrate academic preparation, help students identify areas for improvement, and potentially support applications for colleges, scholarships, and academic programs that consider test scores.

Because college testing policies differ, students should research the requirements of the schools they are interested in before deciding how the ACT fits into their plans.

For students who choose to take it, the ACT can be more than a standardized test. It can be an opportunity to measure academic skills, develop better study habits, gain testing experience, and keep future options open.

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