Press kits provided by ACT are subject to change
4
Recent Updates
• In September 2015, ACT introduced enhancements to the optional writing test:
o The prompt was revised. Examinees are offered three diverse
perspectives on an issue and are asked to 1) analyze and evaluate the
perspectives given, 2) state and develop their own perspectives on the
issue, and 3) explain the relationship between their perspective and the
other perspectives given.
o The reported scores were revised. Examinees receive a subject-level
writing score on a 2-12 scale, and individual domain scores for "Ideas and
analysis," "Development and Support," "Organization," and "Language Use
and Conventions," on a 2-12 scale.
• In September 2015, ACT added four new scores/indicators on score sheets:
o Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) score: Represents a
student’s overall performance on the science and math portions of the
assessment on the 1-36 scale. The ACT is the only national college
admission exam to measure science skills. This new STEM score helps
students connect their strengths to career and study paths that they
might not otherwise have considered, especially when used with their
results from the ACT Interest Inventory.
o English Language Arts (ELA) score: This score, also on the 1-36 scale,
combines achievement on the English, reading, and writing portions of
the ACT for those who take all three sections, enabling students to see
how their performance compares with others who have been identified as
college ready. A student must take the optional writing test to receive this
score.
o Progress Toward Career Readiness Indicator: Helps students understand
their progress toward career readiness and helps educators prepare their
students for success in a variety of career pathways. It provides an
indicator of future performance on the ACT
®
National Career Readiness
Certificate
®
(ACT
®
NCRC
®
), an assessment-based credential that certifies
foundational work skills important for job success across industries and
occupations.
o Text Complexity Progress Indicator: Helps students understand if they are
making sufficient progress toward understanding the complex texts they
will encounter in college and during their careers