ACT Exam 2025: Registration, Dates, Fees, Tips

For students looking to enrol in colleges and universities in the US, the ACT exam is one of the most essential standardised tests. It is a widely accepted test by colleges and universities in the US. The test is also accepted by more than 225 universities outside the US. If you’re in Class 12 or have completed your board exams and are considering your higher studies in the US, it’s never too late to familiarise yourself with the ACT! Starting in 2025, the ACT will be administered on multiple dates throughout the year, with the first test scheduled for February 8, 2025. 

This article covers everything you need to know about the ACT exam: registration, study materials, fees, and the best ways to prepare yourself.

Overview of the ACT Exam 2025

What is the ACT Exam?

American College Testing, or ACT, is a standardised test used by colleges and universities to determine a student’s readiness for undergraduate study. It assesses your proficiency in Reading, Science, Maths, and English. There is occasionally an optional writing section as well. 

ACT scores are accepted by a large number of universities in the US, Canada, and other nations as part of the admissions process. Unlike Indian board exams, the ACT focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills rather than rote memorisation.

ACT Exam 2025 Syllabus

Like most standardised tests, the ACT is also broken down into test sections in addition to an optional writing section. Below is a spectrum of information on what each section contains:

English (45 mins – 75 questions) 

Requires you to check short excerpts for proper and succinct writing. This section evaluates your command over grammar, punctuation, sentence formation, and writing style.

Maths – Section 2 (60 mins – 60 questions)

This section focuses on algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic concepts of statistics. You will perform various calculations using the provided formulas.

Reading – Section 3 (35 mins – 40 questions)

You are required to comprehend various passages and respond to questions demonstrating your understanding, analysis skills, and interpretation abilities. 

Science – Section 4 (35 mins – 40 questions)

Unlike the other sections, the science section is reasoning-based. Here, focus will be placed on measuring comprehension of scientific information, data interpretation, and experiment evaluation.  Starting September 2025, the Science section will become optional. Students will have the choice to include or exclude science-based questions on their test.

Also read: Tips to Improve Your English Language Skills

Registration for the ACT Exam

Anticipating taking the ACT exam in India? Here’s how to register:  

• Create an account on the official ACT website.  
• Select a test date as well as the centre of your choice (there are multiple test centres located in large metropolitan cities in India).  
• Complete the application form by entering your details.  
• Use a credit/debit card to pay for the ACT exam fee.  
• Complete your registration before the deadline to avoid incurring late fees.  

Keep in mind that the registration deadline is typically 3-4 weeks in advance of the examination date. While late registration is possible, it does incur additional costs.

ACT 2025 Exam Dates

Below are some important ACT exam dates for 2025 in India. You can take the ACT exam multiple times in a year if you want to improve your score.

What are the Requirements for ACT Exam?

To appear for the ACT exam, you need:

• A valid photo ID (like a passport or school ID).
• Your registration confirmation and admit card.
• To be familiar with the exam rules and timings.
• To bring necessary stationery (pencils, erasers).
• To reach the test centre on time.

ACT Exam Fee 2025

Here is the fee structure for the ACT exam in India:

ACT Exam 2025 Admit Card

After registration, your ACT admit card needs to be downloaded and printed from the MyACT portal. Ensure that your name, date of the exam, and test venue are accurate. This ticket, along with your government-issued ID, must be presented at the centre on the examination day.

How to Calculate ACT Scores?

The ACT comprises four major sections, English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, each graded from 1 to 36. Your composite score, which is the average of the four section scores, must be rounded off to a whole number.

Your Writing score is supplementary if you decide to select the Writing section. The scores range from 2 to 12 for your essay. This will have no impact on your composite.

For example, if you scored 28 in English, 30 in Maths, 27 in Reading, and 29 in Science, your composite score would be:

Composite Score= (28+30+27+29) / 4 = 114/4 = 28.5 → 29

Tips and Strategies for ACT 2025 Preparation

Achieving a high score on the ACT requires both strategic planning and practice. Here are a few pointers to help you prepare yourself:  

• Establish a Target Score: Check the average ACT scores for the colleges you want to apply to and try to achieve a higher score than that.  
• Stick to Study Resources: Get familiar with the ACT format by using ACT prep books, relevant online materials, and practice tests.  
• Simulated Practice: Take a practice test using a stopwatch to emulate the exam’s time constraints.  
• Track Improvement: Analyse your practice test results and allocate additional study time to your lowest-scoring subjects.  
• Developed Customised Techniques: For example, make sure to attempt all questions as there is no negative marking, read the instructions accurately, and pay attention to time so that they do not get stuck on difficult questions.
• Keep Organised: Make sure that your exam material is prepped in advance and know how to get to the test centre prior to the scheduled time.

Conclusion

For students looking to gain admission to prestigious colleges and universities in the US and other countries, the ACT exam is one of the major requirements. With multiple test dates and a plethora of resources available, you can effectively devise a well-structured plan that is tailored to your schedule to achieve the best possible score. To perform well on the ACT exam 2025, all you need to do is begin your preparation early, stay fit, and think positively.