Kỳ thi ACT là gì? Thông tin về kỳ thi ACT mới nhất 2026

ACT is an entrance exam commonly used in most universities in the US. The test is considered a measure to assess whether candidates are qualified to study at universities in the US or not. In today's article, ETEST English for Study Abroad will help you learn more about What is the ACT test?Should I choose SCT or ACT?

What is the ACT test?

ACT stands for American College Testing is a test to determine whether candidates are qualified to participate in university programs in the US or not. Universities in the US have recognized the ACT exam results as an admission criterion for the schools.

In addition, the US college entrance exam is also considered an assessment criterion to help students understand themselves better. From there, they can choose the appropriate environment and development direction.

ACT test structure

One ACT test The structure includes 5 test sections: English, Reading, Math, Science and an essay section (this is an optional test). The distribution and number of questions in the tests are unchanged. Below is the detailed structure of each test section.

ACT English Test

The English test includes:

• 45 minutes to answer 75 questions, meaning the time for 1 question will be 30 seconds.
• This section is divided into 5 sub-sections, each section has 15 questions.

The English section is used to test each candidate's understanding of grammar, sentence structure and rhetorical skills through multiple-choice questions in excerpts.

In addition, there is a question form, choosing a synonym that can replace the underlined idea below in the passages. or another question form is the most correct answer to answer one, a question passage underlined in the quotations.

Math Section of the ACT

The math section includes:

• 60 minutes to answer 60 questions, equivalent to 1 question per minute.
• Questions include Pre-Algebra, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate and Plane Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Question types

All questions in this section are basic multiple choice. The test is a measure of a candidate's mathematical knowledge up to the beginning of grade 12. The test content fully covers the topics of function systems, geometry, probability statistics and other general skills.

In addition, some types of questions not included in the Vietnamese Mathematics curriculum such as box plots, scatter plots, etc. may still be covered in the exam.

Note that calculators are allowed in this section of the exam.

ACT Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension includes:

• 35 minutes to answer 40 questions, which is about 50 seconds per question.
• Divided into 4 paragraphs, each paragraph has 10 sentences.
• In this section you will be tested on topics from Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Literature or Fiction and Humanities.

Your reading and analytical skills will be assessed in this section. Candidates will be asked to use arguments and evidence from a variety of sources in a variety of fields to answer questions that appear in the test.

Some questions that will appear in this section:

• What is the main idea of the paragraph? The location of the main idea and the importance of this detail.
• Meaning of the chain of events
• Determine the meaning of words based on the context within the passage.
• Analyze the author's voice
• Analyze a quote and provide evidence for your argument.

Four types of topics: Social sciences, natural sciences, literature or fiction and humanities will be divided into four passages in the test. Each passage is about 1000 words and has 10 answers. The level of difficulty is similar to that in 'university level' textbooks.

ACT Science Section

The Science section includes:

• 35 minutes to answer 40 questions, so you have 50 seconds per question.
• This section has 7 paragraphs, each paragraph has 5 – 7 sentences.

Scientific information from fields such as biology, chemistry, earth, physics and space science will be incorporated into questions in the test.

Candidates need to have a good understanding of the basic knowledge foundations of multi-dimensional assessment, scientific content assessment and scientific practical skills.

There will usually be six paragraphs presenting scientific data, based on specific experiments. In addition, there will be an additional paragraph presenting the opposing analyses of two scientists, each paragraph will consist of 5-7 sentences.

Note: there will be some sections that use technical jargon so they are quite difficult to understand, but these sections have easier questions than the other sections.

The Writing Section of the ACT

The Writing section includes:

• Time to make in 30 minutes
• You will be given a topic or issue and asked to give your opinion and use evidence and arguments to support that opinion.

Although this is an independent test, many universities now require students to have this test score as a mandatory part of the admission process.

In this section, you will mainly focus on expressing your opinion, arguing tightly with many specific examples. Moreover, the examiner will not pay full attention to grammar and punctuation. The important thing in the ACT writing test is the clarity of each sentence.

See also: Summary ACT test preparation materials free and effective

How much does an ACT exam cost?

The basic fee for an ACT exam without the essay is $168.50. The fee for the essay is $188.50. You will be charged $35 if you register late.

In case a candidate has problems and cannot attend the essay test, the fee of 25 USD will be refunded to the candidate.

Costs may also vary based on factors such as location, support services, and additional fees.

How to calculate ACT score

A scale of 1-36 is used on most required sections of the ACT. The composite ACT score is the average of the test scores.

Essay scores are considered individual scores and are rated on a scale of 2 to 12. The essay score is the sum of the essay score and individual scores. It is rated on a scale of 1 to 36.

The essay section does not affect the calculation of the ACT's composite score. However, some schools now require your application to include the essay. Therefore, when choosing a school, you need to find out the information clearly so that you can prepare well for your test.

Scores will be sent to you 2.5 weeks after you take the test. Essay scores are released approximately 2 weeks later than multiple choice scores. For February and October test sessions, scores are released approximately 3-8 weeks later.

Useful information for you: Calendar ACT test in Vietnam – ACT test fees and how to register

Should I take the ACT or the SAT?

Nowadays, many people wonder whether they should choose to take the ACT or not. SAT? To be able to choose the right exam certificate, you need to determine the needs and purposes of the field you are aiming for so that you can choose the best exam for you.

Below are some criteria for you to choose:

• Suitable for needs, strengths: Instead, compare which test is easier. Consider your ability in each section to make the best choice. In addition, the choice of test should be appropriate for the field you choose. For example, if you want to study STEM, the ACT is the best choice for you.
• Time pressure: Each section of the test will have a different test duration. While the SAT focuses on vocabulary, the ACT limits time and pressure in many sections such as: Reading, Science, English. Therefore, reasonable time management is extremely important for you to be able to choose the right test.
• Focus on choosing just one: Depending on the requirements of the environment you intend to study in, you can choose one of these two competitions.

Some questions about the ACT exam

Below are some common ACT test questions people encounter when preparing for the ACT.

How long is the act certificate valid for?

According to the official ACT website, an ACT test certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of test.

However, there are currently some schools that only accept results within 1-2 months at the latest. Because the 1-2 year program may change. Therefore, you need to find out clearly to be able to register in a suitable environment.

What ACT score is high enough?

ACT score ranges help you evaluate your test performance and predict your chances of getting into college. There are three test score ranges:

• Below average score range: 1-16
• Average score range: 17-24
• Above average score range: 25-36

You can ACT practice test to know your score and from there have the most suitable study path.

Where to register for the ACT?

The ACT exam is typically offered several times a year in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. To register for the exam, you need to visit the website of ACT and register. After successfully registering, you should check your email regularly to be able to update your exam schedule and location.

Can I take the ACT more than once?

If you've achieved your desired score, congratulations! You can now prepare for other tests like SAT subject tests, AP tests, and college applications.

If you’re not completely satisfied with your score, don’t be discouraged. Most students take the ACT more than once, and some even take it a third time. Use the information on the test to learn about your strengths and weaknesses and prepare better for the next ACT.

Reference:

• Course ACT Test Prep at ETEST English Language Study Abroad
• ACT Preparation Center best quality reputation

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Trên đây là bài viết ETEST English for Study Abroad đã giải thích cho bạn hiểu rõ hơn về “Thi ACT là gì?”, cũng như so sánh 2 bài thi ACT và SAT. Hy vọng những thông tin trên có thể giúp bạn nắm bắt được chính xác nhất về 2 bài thi này. Nếu bạn đang tìm khóa học ôn luyện ACT chất lượng, hãy tham khảo ngay khóa ôn luyện bên ETEST English for Study Abroad đảm bảo bạn sẽ “gặt hái” được kết quả tốt.