TAKING THE ACT OR SAT
What are college entrance exams?
Colleges and universities set different entrance exam (ACT/SAT) score requirements for
admission purposes. Scores vary from school to school. These are usually combined
with a GPA requirement for admission to each school.
Is the ACT or SAT required at all colleges and junior colleges?
Most all four-year colleges and universities will have a minimum requirement for
admission. Some have a set minimum while others may base theirs on the average
ACT/SAT score of the previous freshman class admitted. ACT subject scores may be
used to determine freshman year course placement.
Junior colleges in Alabama do not usually require a minimum score for admission.
However, they may utilize scores for academic scholarship awards. ACT subject scores
may be used to determine freshman year course placement.
Should I take the ACT Plus Writing?
All juniors who take the state-mandated ACT in April will take the ACT Plus Writing.
Juniors will have assistance with registering for this ACT because it is given at JHS.
This is the ONLY time the ACT is given at JHS. To take the ACT additional times,
students must create an ACT account and register through their online account.
When should I take the ACT?
The ACT tests on information students are exposed to through their high school
curriculum. Most recent information from ACT suggests students should begin testing
once they have completed courses covering the majority of what will be tested. It is
usually suggested students begin taking the ACT by at least the middle of the junior
year.
Select your ACT test dates based on deadlines determined by colleges of interest to you. Colleges and universities have their own deadlines for receipt of ACT scores to be used in determining your admission and your scholarships. As you research colleges of interest, make note of their deadlines for both admission and scholarship. You want to select ACT test dates prior to these deadlines. Select test dates where your scores will be received by each college or university by its specific deadline(s).
Remember, each time you take the ACT you must select the colleges and universities that will receive each score. For example, if you take the ACT three times, and you want JSU to receive all three scores, you must select JSU each time you register.
*All juniors will be given the ACT Plus Writing in April of the junior year at JHS. This ACT is given at no cost to the student. Students wishing to take the ACT additional times must set up an ACT
Student Account at and pay for each additional test. These exams are not
given at JHS.
How many times should I take the ACT?
Although students may take the ACT up to 12 times, research indicates most students
achieve their highest ACT composite score within 3 test settings. Many students find
their scores do not change even if they continue to test well beyond 3 test settings.
How do I register to take the ACT?
Students set up an account through Students should be able
to access scores from the ACT Plus Writing given at the high school if they use the
exact student name, address, and date of birth when registering through the online
account.
What information do I need to provide (each time I register) in order to register?
STUDENTS SHOULD REGISTER THEMSELVES FOR THE ACT. You will have
a 72-question interest inventory that ACT uses to match student interests with possible
areas of major and careers.
Students will select the test center at which they want to take the ACT.
Students will select the colleges, universities, athletic clearinghouses,...they want
to receive their ACT scores each time they register to test.
Students will give a self-reported GPA and information as to core courses they have
taken and/or plan to take while in high school.
Students must upload an ACT acceptable photo during registration. This photo prints
on the student admission ticket which must be presented at the test center upon testing.
How do I best prepare to take the ACT?
According to ACT, the best preparation for the ACT is taking the most rigorous courses
available in high school. Your interaction in each of your courses, your understanding of
the material, and the effort you put in with each of your courses should positively impact
your ACT score.
ACT does offer test preparation through their website at a cost. Students who qualify for
and register to take the ACT using a fee waiver also qualify to use the fee waiver to cover
The cost of this test prep.
What do I take the day of the exam?
Be sure to read your registration material carefully. Be sure to take everything required
(admission ticket, photo I.D., #2 pencils, approved calculator,...) and DO NOT TAKE
ANYTHING THAT IS PROHIBITED.
It is your responsibility to know what to take with you to the test center.
What kind of score do I need?
For admission?
ACT admission score requirements vary with different colleges or universities.
For scholarships?
ACT scores for scholarship requirements vary with different colleges or
universities. However, scores required for scholarships are generally higher than
scores required for admission within the same college or university.
Students should begin researching ACT admission and scholarship requirements
well before taking the ACT.
What may help improve my score?
During the registration process for the ACT, students have the option to order a score
report which will provide them with the questions from the ACT, their answers, and
whether or not their answer to a specific question was correct or incorrect. Students
may find this information valuable in indicating areas of strengths or weaknesses
when testing. This information may help a student better prepare for future testing.
What are ACT College Readiness Benchmarks?
These indicate your likelihood of success in specific first-year college coursework.
Scoring at or above the Benchmark indicates you have at least a 50% chance of
obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in specific
first-year college courses in corresponding subject areas.
What is the cost?
Of the ACT?
$42.50
Of the ACT Plus Writing?
$58.50
Juniors and seniors who qualify for free or reduced lunch also qualify for a fee waiver to cover the cost of the ACT. You may use a total of two fee waivers.
*Some colleges will waive their application fee if you provide them with a copy of your fee waiver upon application.
YOU MUST HAVE ACT/SAT SCORES SENT DIRECTLY FROM THE TESTING AGENCY TO JHS AND TO COLLEGES TO WHICH YOU APPLY. COLLEGES WILL NOT ACCEPT ACT/SAT SCORES FROM YOUR JHS TRANSCRIPT. THESE SCORES MUST BE SENT BY THE DEADLINE SET BY EACH COLLEGE.
Sending scores to JHS: Our high school code is 011530.
Sending scores to colleges: College code information is found in the dropdown
box during your ACT/SAT registration process.
Student Athletes
Student Athletes planning to play a sport at a Division I or Division II college must have ACT/SAT scores sent directly from the testing agency to the NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility determination. It is your responsibility to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse during your junior year and to know/meet their requirements.