ACT

Last updated 8/29/2011

The ACT is a national college admissions test that assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. It is a curriculum-based test, not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, reading, and science.

Colleges and universities in Michigan and the Midwest require the ACT test. All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT, but different institutions place different emphasis on standardized tests such as the ACT, compared to other factors of evaluation, such as class rank, GPA, and extracurricular activities.

The ACT consists of:

The ACT Plus Writing is available on all national test dates. The 30 minute ACT Writing Test complements the English Test. The combined information from both tests tells post-secondary institutions about students’ understanding of the conventions of standard written English and their ability to produce a direct sample of writing.

Because post-secondary institutions have varying needs, ACT offers the writing test as an option so that students are not required to take a test they do not need to take, thus avoiding unnecessary expense, and institutions have the freedom to require the tests that best meet their information needs.

Colleges make their own decisions about whether to require the results from the ACT Writing Test for admissions and/or course placement purposes. Therefore, students should decide whether to take the writing test based on the requirements of the institutions they are considering. Most colleges will accept scores from the Writing Test even if they do not require it.

Check directly with the institutions you are considering to find out their requirements, or ask your high school counselor which test option you should take.

Find more information online at www.act.org.

How do I register?

Register online at www.actstudent.org or pick up a registration packet in the counseling center of either high school and mail in your registration before the deadline (two first-class postage stamps required). Online registration requires a MasterCard, VISA, Discover, or American Express. Registration using any other method of payment must be done using the paper registration form.

What does it cost?

The 2011-2012 basic fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $49.50. This includes score reports for up to four college choices for which a valid code is listed at the time of registration. The basic fee for the ACT if you don’t take the Writing Test is $15.50 less ($34).

Visit www.actstudent.org/regist/actfees.html to view the fee structure for other options and services.

Michigan Merit Examination

Students in the state of Michigan take the Michigan Merit Examination in March of their junior year. As a part of this exam, all juniors in the state of Michigan will take the ACT on a special testing date approved by ACT for Michigan eleventh graders only. This will be the ACT plus writing test; taking the ACT without the writing portion of the test is not an option on this test date. The test date is set for Tuesday, March 6, 2012. There is no cost to the student for the exam on this date. Please see our Michigan Merit Examination page for more in-depth information.

Check to see if your college of choice prefers the ACT or SAT and plan accordingly.

Testing dates

2011-2012
Test Date Registration Deadline ($21 Late Fee Required) Area Test Center Locations
Sept. 10, 2011 Aug. 12, 2011 Aug. 13 - 26, 2011 Delta College
Central Michigan Univ.
Oct. 22, 2011 Sept. 16, 2011 Sept. 17 - Sept. 30, 2011 Delta College
Central Michigan Univ.
Dec. 10, 2011 Nov. 4, 2011 Nov. 5 - 18, 2011 Delta College
Central Michigan Univ.
Feb. 11, 2012 Jan. 13, 2012 Jan. 14 - 20, 2012 Delta College
Central Michigan Univ.
April 14, 2012 March 9, 2012 March 10 - March 23, 2012 Delta College
Central Michigan Univ.
June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012 May 5 - 18, 2012 H. H. Dow High School
Midland High School


ACT Registration Codes

High School Code

  • Midland High School: 232585
  • H. H. Dow High School: 232582

Test Center Code

  • Midland High School: 177100
  • H. H. Dow High School: 160390
  • Delta College: 019660
  • Central Michigan University: 019720

Testing Dates 2012-2013

  • September 8, 2012
  • October 27, 2012
  • December 8, 2012
  • February 9, 2013
  • April 13, 2013
  • June 8, 2013

Testing Dates 2013-2014

  • September 21, 2013
  • October 26, 2013
  • December 14, 2013
  • February 8, 2014
  • April 12, 2014
  • June 14, 2014