ACT made simple
American College Testing
An alternative to the SAT for undergraduate admission to US universities.
What is the ACT?
Class 11 and 12 students applying for undergraduate admission to US universities who prefer the ACT’s format — including its dedicated Science section.
Undergraduate degrees in the USA across the sciences, engineering, business and liberal arts.
The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardised undergraduate admissions test accepted by all four-year universities in the United States, alongside the SAT. It is content-based and includes a dedicated Science reasoning section, which sets it apart from the SAT.
For Indian students applying to US Bachelor’s programs, the ACT is a fully interchangeable alternative to the SAT — universities accept either, with no preference. It is scored on a 1–36 scale as a composite of the English, Math, Reading and Science sections, with an optional Writing test some universities require.
Students who are comfortable with science data and a faster question pace often prefer the ACT. Scores are typically released within about two weeks, and while ACT results do not formally expire, universities generally prefer scores from the last five years.
What the ACT looks like
Scored 1–36 · About 2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with Writing) · valid Scores do not expire (universities usually prefer the last 5 years).
English
Grammar, usage, punctuation and rhetorical skills in passage form.
Math
Algebra, geometry and trigonometry; a calculator is permitted.
Reading
Comprehension across prose, social science, humanities and natural science passages.
Science
Interpretation, analysis and reasoning using data, graphs and experiments.
Writing (optional)
An essay analysing different perspectives on an issue — required by some universities.
Study with your ACT score
Explore destinations where the ACT is recognised — and where we help you apply.
From ACT to degree, funded
One education loan can cover exam prep, tuition, living costs and travel — so money never decides where you study.
- Covers exam fees, coaching & visa
- Tuition + living expenses abroad
- Collateral & non-collateral options
- Low interest, fast approvals
Fund the whole journey
Like the SAT, the ACT is the opening step in a multi-year undergraduate investment abroad. Planning your education loan while you prepare lets you budget all four years up front instead of intake by intake.
Our financing partners fund undergraduate study abroad — tuition, living costs and pre-departure expenses such as ACT fees, coaching, applications and the visa — through low-interest education loans with fast approvals. For undergraduate borrowers, the co-applicant (usually a parent) profile and any collateral shape the loan amount and rate.
A strong ACT score also feeds merit scholarships at many US universities, directly lowering tuition and the loan you need. We help you identify universities where your composite score makes aid realistic.
Loan eligibility, interest rates and amounts depend on your destination, course, co-applicant and lender. Figures on this page are indicative.
Not sure where to begin with the ACT?
Get a free plan — test timeline, target universities and a funding map.
ACT, explained
The questions Indian students and parents ask us most about the ACT.
Still have questions?
Our counsellors are just a call away — get clear, honest answers.
US universities accept both equally, so choose the one that suits you. The ACT has a dedicated Science section and a quicker pace; the SAT is fully digital and adaptive. Try a practice test of each and pick where you score better.
Crack the ACT. Study abroad.
Free counselling on prep, applications and an education loan that funds it all.