ACT - SAT Comparison Brochure - Using ACT Scores for K-12 Professionals

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Guide for K-12 professionals on how ACT scores support student success beyond college admission. The brochure explains five strategies, from academic advising and access promotion to admissions decisions, scholarship and loan applications, and accurate course placement. It emphasizes longitudinal insights for instruction and intervention, early testing with PreACT®, test preparation and ACT Superscore planning, fee waivers to remove financial barriers, and using ACT results for STEM-focused readiness and placement decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Five Strategies for Using ACT Scores

Strategy 1: Academic Advising

Strategy 2: Promote Access

Strategy 3: Admissions Decisions

Strategy 4: Scholarship and Loan Applications

Strategy 5: Accurate Course Placement

How many times do you get asked by a student,“Do I need to take the ACT® test?” or “Why should I take the ACT?” They might assume ACT test results are only used for college admission purposes, but they mean so much more. No matter their chosen paths after graduation, students having an ACT score will have a predictor of future achievements, proof of what they’ve accomplished to date, and strategic tools to help open doors toward success. Here are five strategies for using ACT scores that K-12 professionals can implement today. STRATEGY \#1 ACADEMIC ADVISING STRATEGY \#2 PROMOTE ACCESS national average student-tocounselor ratio 23/24 school year source ASCA Build confidence and gather intel in record time to inform secondary instruction and advisory conversations. Using ACT scores can help busy counselors serve more students with personalized insights. Students can take the ACT system of assessments as early as grade 8 (with PreACT® 8/9) to predict future achievement and grow confidence. In grades 10-12, you can offer them more test practice or start building an ACT® Superscore—averaging their best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. Use this longitudinal insight to inform instruction, meet benchmarks, and advise students on their next steps. • Measure progress toward your standards achievement plan. • Measure critical readiness skills to help students who need more targeted instruction or to inform intervention. • Identify potential gifted and talented, dual enrollment, and advanced students. • Uncover strengths and interests for holistic course recommendations and selection process. high school students applied to college using a fee waiver source ACT Apply to college for free. An ACT score can help close opportunity and outcomes gaps for students with economic challenges. ACT Fee Waivers provide eligible students with access to free test prep, up to two free test attempts, and college application fee waivers—removing financial barriers so students can apply to schools they might have thought out of reach. • Ensure opportunities for a college education. • Join ACT’s American College Application Campaign which helps first-generation and under-resourced students complete and submit at least one college application. STRATEGY \#3 ADMISSIONS DECISIONS STRATEGY \#4 SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN APPLICATIONS STRATEGY \#5 ACCURATE COURSE PLACEMENT of college applicants DID submit test scores in the 24/25 cycle source Common App Have a score ready for students to submit. Just because test-optional institutions don’t require applicants to submit scores doesn’t mean they won’t consider them if submitted. Continue to help students stand out in a sea of college applicants. With test-optional policies at the higher education institutions changing each season, having a score—whether they use it or not—for admission helps students stand out. • Show readiness for college-level work verified by benchmark performance. • Highlight STEM achievement (ACT score exclusive) . • Apply for institutional scholarships. dollars is available in private merit-based scholarships source ASCA Set them up for financial success. An ACT score can open doors for students and help them avoid financial burden in the future. If they take the test and score well, students will be eligible for thousands of dollars in scholarships just based on their scores. • Get matched to colleges and scholarships and find college funding sources through ACT Recruit Me. • Get a “full ride”—some schools offer full-tuition scholarships starting in the 22–25 ACT score range, but most full-ride scholarships require a 28 or higher. (Source: College Aid Pro) of private scholarships are provided to STEM students Show more accurate achievement for proper course placement. Many colleges and universities encourage applicants to submit ACT scores for course placement or direct admission into certain major

FAQs

Why should students take the ACT test if they think it’s only for college admission?

The brochure highlights that ACT results help predict future achievement, show progress to date, and provide tools to open doors to success across multiple post-graduation steps.

How can ACT scores help counselors and educators support instruction?

ACT scores can inform secondary instruction and advisory conversations, help measure progress toward standards, and identify readiness needs for targeted instruction or intervention.

What role do ACT scores play in access, scholarships, and financial barriers?

The brochure explains that ACT Fee Waivers can provide free test prep, additional free test attempts, and application fee waivers, and that strong scores can make students eligible for thousands of dollars in scholarships.

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana