When Should You Take the ACT?

ACT is a standardized test that can significantly impact your chances of getting into a college and your college application journey.

With all the pressure going around the ACT, there’s always one question that is constant among students: When should you take the ACT?

Taking the ACT at the right time can make your college application journey a lot easier and can also affect your chances if taken at the wrong time. So, you need to have a perfect balance to make colleges see your potential.

Don’t worry, future freshman! This blog will help you in deciding when you should take the ACT. We will cover all the necessary information from key factors to additional tips.

So, read the blog till the end to understand and gain the knowledge to pick the right ACT test date for your college success.

Need help with preparing for ACT 2024? Register for a free demo with our online ACT Tutors today.

When should you sit for the ACT for the first time?

Most students prefer to take the ACT exam in their junior or senior year as by that time, they covered the majority of their coursework which comes in ACT.

If you take the ACT exam in

• Fall of Junior Year: This is the time when many students take the ACT for the first time. This is because the score you receive this time allows you to identify your areas of improvement and gives the right way to your future preparation for college.

• Spring of Junior Year: Taking the ACT in the spring of your junior year shows that you have given yourself plenty of time to prepare for it. The score you receive this time also allows you to understand your position and your areas of improvement.

• Fall of Senior Year: If you are targeting scholarships in your selected colleges, then taking the ACT in the fall of senior year is the best time. This is because it provides you an opportunity to further improve yourself.

We suggest you take the ACT in your junior year as it helps you identify your areas of strength and improvement.

By taking the ACT in your junior year, you also get ample time for preparation for future attempts.

Note: The above suggestion is a general one. Each student has unique circumstances which makes their journey unique. So, if your plan or circumstance doesn’t align with our suggestion, you can take the ACT at the time that fits you best.

How many times can you take the ACT?

ACT Inc., which administers the ACT exam, lets you take the ACT up to 12 times. ACT offers 7 national dates throughout the year.

Always stay updated on ACT test dates as it’ll help you plan your learning schedules ahead. 

If you take the ACT multiple times, you can take advantage of the ACT superscoring. ACT superscore represents your highest section scores in all the sections (English, Reading, Math, and Science) for all the times you have taken the ACT exam.

Pros and Cons of taking ACT in different grades

Grades	Pros	Cons
Freshman Year	Allows you to understand the test format and gives you early exposure.	Not enough knowledge which is required for the ACT exam.
	Allows you to make a long-term plan for your improvement.	Lack of necessary skills and strategies required to manage the ACT exam stress.
Sophomore Year	Allows you to understand the areas where you need to work hard for better results.	Not enough knowledge which is required for the ACT exam.
	Whatever the ACT scores you receive helps you in your school electives or other extracurricular activities.	Lack of necessary skills and strategies required to manage the ACT exam stress.
Junior Year	It is the popular year among students to take the ACT, so it allows you to challenge yourself and see where you stand among other students.	Difficulty in managing the time between high school work, extracurricular activities, and ACT preparation.
	By this time, you have sufficient knowledge of ACT coursework, so it provides you with a solid base.	Retaking for the ACT exam gets difficult from here as the pressure will be building simultaneously.
Senior Year	By this time, you have identified your strengths and weaknesses perfectly. This helps you in focusing on the right areas and giving the ACT exam with your full potential.	You might miss out on colleges with early application deadlines as you might receive your ACT scores a little late.
	You will have more academic confidence which will help you in having a calmer and focused test-taking experience.	Difficulty in managing the time between checking for college applications, coursework, essays, extracurricular activities, and ACT preparation.

Pros and Cons of ACT in different grades

Factors to consider when choosing your ACT date

When choosing the right ACT test date for yourself, you can consider the following factors:

• Academic Progress

Consider your academic progress and take the ACT exam when you feel you are ready. It might be in your junior year, sophomore year, or senior year.

When you feel confident enough, you should take the ACT exam and if you don’t get the desired results, you can identify your areas of improvement and retake the exam.

• College Application Deadlines

If you are planning to apply for colleges which have early application deadlines, let’s say, by the end of fall, then you must consider taking your final ACT by early fall.

If you are planning to apply for colleges which have application deadlines, let’s say, by the end of spring, then you must consider taking your final ACT by the end of fall or early spring.

• Test-Prep Timeline

You should consider your test-prep timeline and manage your study schedule accordingly.

Now, you can either do self-paced preparation to build your skills or enroll yourself in structured prep programs which usually have fixed start and end dates.

• Personal Factors

Considering personal factors like academic load and extracurricular activities helps you in choosing the right ACT exam date for you. Remember, don’t overload yourself.

Look for any sport events or other such commitments related to your coursework or any extracurricular activity coming up, manage them, and then pick an exam date.

Additional tips for success

Along with choosing the optimal ACT exam date, you can follow the following tips to make your ACT exam a success and have a smooth college application journey:

• Focus on Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify areas which you are good at and which need improvement. Spend time and focus on your weak areas.

• Take Practice Test: Taking regular practice tests helps you tackle different types of questions and manage time.

• Seek Guidance: Enroll yourself in a prep program for personalized guidance or connect with your counselor for motivation.

• Manage Exam Stress: Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises to keep you calm and away from the exam stress. According to a study published by the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, “adopting a mindfulness practice for as little as once per week for six weeks may reduce stress and anxiety in college students.”

Need help with preparing for ACT 2024? Register for a free demo with our online ACT Tutors today.

Conclusion

ACT Inc. lets you take the ACT up to 12 times and offers 7 national dates throughout the year. Fall of junior year is the popular choice among students but if that is not working for you, take the ACT exam when it’s best for you.

Explore the pros and cons of taking the ACT exam in different grades and evaluate factors like your academic progress, college deadline, test prep timeline, and personal commitments before choosing the ACT exam date.

Also don’t forget to look and adapt the additional tips that we have provided as they might help you with your exam.

With a strategic approach and a perfectly chosen exam date, you can consistently take up the ACT exam and get into your desired college. All the best!

Additional Reads

What is ACT? [All Things ACT Covered]

Digital ACT – All About the Digital ACT Structure

ACT Test Dates | All Dates Updated for 2024

When do ACT Scores come out? 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should you take the ACT for the first time?

Most students prefer to take the ACT exam for the first time in the fall or early spring of their junior year as this is the ideal time for students to know about their areas of improvement.

Which month ACT is the easiest?

ACT is the same in all the months. Your ACT score depends on how well you have prepared for the exam.

Can you take the ACT in 9th grade?

Yes. People of all ages and grades can take the ACT exam.

References

• When Should You Take the ACT?: ACT. (n.d.). Retrieved from July 08, 2024, from https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/when-to-take-the-act.html#:~:text=You%20can%20take%20the%20ACT,to%20achieve%20your%20desired%20results.
• Impact of a Yoga and Meditation Intervention on a Students’ Stress and Anxiety Levels: American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from July 08, 2024, from here.