How Post-High School Plans Can Affect When You Take the ACT

In last week’s post, I wrote about some considerations students should have when deciding when to take the ACT.  Today’s topic on the blog is the first consideration mentioned: what are your plans post-high school?

With respect to a student, the primary purpose of an ACT score is as a possible requirement for college or university admittance and scholarships.  So, if a student has plans other than going to college, there may not be a reason to take the ACT.  If a student is unsure whether he or she will go to college, it is best to go ahead and register, prepare, and take the test.  

Even though the term “test optional” (we’ll discuss this in an upcoming post) has gained popularity at schools in recent years, there is some indication that this may be lessening for scholarships.  Most merit-based scholarships are still highly dependent on GPAs and test scores.  Even if an admittance or scholarship does not require a minimum ACT score, if college is in the future, it is probably a good idea to take the test and do your best in case the score is needed at some point.

Most "test optional" schools allow a student to decide whether or not to submit their test scores as part of the admissions process.

Most schools and scholarships are going to have deadlines for applications, and this will include a deadline for receiving test scores.  ACT usually releases scores about 2-4 weeks after taking the test.  When a student registers for the ACT, they can specify several schools they wish to have their scores sent to for free.  After that there is a fee, but you can send scores to other schools and organizations.  Knowing the deadlines and when you should test, and possibly re-test for a better score, are things students need to consider when planning ACT dates.  If a deadline is February 1 and a student takes the test for the first time in the previous December, that is the only test score that will make it for that application. Know your dates and plan appropriately.

There could be state or federal accountability purposes for schools or districts to give the test to their students, so this would be another reason a student may be “required” to take the test.  That date will be determined by the school, district, or state, and the student will probably be asked to take the test with the school administering it.

With primary focus on the student, each student should be encouraged to think through interests for their future and to research plans to determine what testing is needed and when scores are needed for the next level in whatever they choose to pursue.  If an ACT is not required, that is time and money that can be used elsewhere. But because plans and interests can change quite often for teenagers, it is not a bad idea to consider choosing a good time to take the ACT and try to do your best in case you need to use the score as a prerequisite in the future.