ACT Writing (The ACT Essay)
The ACT Writing Test is an optional (for many colleges) addition to the ACT Test, but many schools require it any way. The absolute sections are these:
If the ACT Writing Test is optional, should I take it?
The ACT Writing Test Basics
- 30 minutes
- Produces two additional ACT Scores
- Written in essay format
- No multiple choice questions
- 1 prompts with two or three different perspectives
ACT Writing Test Scoring
The ACT Writing test will earn you two additional scores, one that's combined with the English test score to give you a number between 1-36, and an additional Writing score between 2-12 points. Neither of these scores affect your ACT Composite score at all. They are used as additional assessments.
The essay will be read by two trained graders, who will score you holistically based on a 1 (low)-6 (high) point rubric. Basically, they'll read your exam and decide if it meets the following criteria. If it does, you're good! You can expect a good score.
Tips for getting an excellent Writing score
ACT Writing Test Criteria
The writer must be able to:
- Stay focused on the writing topic.
- Make a judgment and support it with examples, facts, and logical reasoning
- Organize arguments into a cohesive thought process
- Use language clearly and effectively
- Maintain standards of English grammar
