For the first time, college-bound students will have the option
to take a writing test in addition to the four other test
components that are part of the American College Test
Assessment.
Hollister – For the first time, college-bound students will have the option to take a writing test in addition to the four other test components that are part of the American College Test Assessment.
The ACT will introduce its writing component in February for students testing in the United States who are applying to college for the fall of 2006 or later. Although the majority of colleges will not require an ACT writing score, some will. Specific college test requirements can be found at www.actstudent.org.
No colleges will require the ACT writing test for students planning to enter college before fall 2006. The writing component of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, is still mandatory.
For ACT’s writing test, students read a writing prompt that defines an issue and describes dual points of view on that issue. They are then asked which position they take on the issue, using one of the perspectives provided or an original opinion. Scores are not affected by the point of view students take.
The test targets skills taught in high school English classes and entry-level college composition courses. Faculty and staff at colleges and high schools will be able to view students’ writing samples online and provide feedback to students.
The ACT measures students’ academic achievement via four primary tests: English, reading, math and science. The exam will now take about three-and-a-half hours, with the extra 30 minutes for the writing test, which complements the English test.
Registration costs $42 with the writing test and $28 without it. The national test date is Feb. 12, and the deadline to register is Jan. 7. The deadline for late registration is Jan. 21. The test will be administered at San Benito High School.
Students can obtain registration packets from guidance counselors at their high schools or register online at www.actstudent.org. The Web site also provides sample questions and writing test tips.
Scoring for the ACTs is based on a scale of 1, the lowest, to 36, the highest. The composite score is the average of each of the four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. California’s composite ACT scores over the past three years have hovered around 21.5, with between 13 and 15 percent of the state’s high school graduates tested.
Katie Niekerk is a staff writer. Reach her at 408-847-7097 or [email protected].
