The ACT is an assessment created and administered by ACT, Inc. and has been used as a college admissions test since 1959. Students may take the ACT to gain entrance into a four-year university, obtain scholarships, and/or assess their readiness for freshman-level college coursework. TEA recommends six steps for students and educators to prepare for and administer the ACT.
TEA supports and aligns with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in their 60x30TX goal, which states that at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree by 2030. By taking a college prep exam, such as the ACT, Texas students expand the number of postsecondary options available to them.
Students and administrators/educators can check out this useful comparison chart to identify similarities and differences between the college preparation assessments (SAT, ACT, and TSIA) and determine which one(s) is the best fit.
Over 200 school districts have participated in ACT School Day testing at least once in the last two years. ACT School Day offers an opportunity for students to take the assessment on their campus during the school day. By administering the assessment on a school day, districts/campuses increase access and reduce barriers for many students who may not be able to test on a Saturday (i.e., working students, students without transportation, etc.). Administrators can learn more about signing up for 2021-2022 ACT School Day here.
Students may also take the exam on weekends if their school does not offer ACT School Day. Students can register individually and choose their testing site.
House Bill 3 (HB 3), which passed in the 86th legislative session, permitted the state to reimburse districts for the amount of fees paid by the district for the administration of a college preparation assessment. This means that eligible students may take one SAT, ACT, or TSIA in the spring of their junior year or during their senior year for free (at state cost)!
As a result, TEA entered into a contract with the ACT, Inc. to negotiate a statewide rate for SAT School Day. The rates for the next four years are as follows:
ACT, Inc.
ACT State and District Testing
