The Skinny on the ACT Writing Test Santa Fe NM

The Skinny on the ACT Writing Test

If you're making plans to take your standardized college entrance exams, make sure you've checked out what to expect! For instance, did you know that the ACT includes a hand-written section? Even if you already know about it, you might not be aware that the ACT Writing Test is currently optional, as long as the schools you're sending your scores to don't require it.

However, even if it's not required, you may want to take it anyway — if you’re a good writer, it could be the perfect addition to your enrollment application. 

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it
The Writing Test is a 30-minute addition to the standard ACT with a pretty straightforward format. After being provided paper to record your answer, you’ll be given a written prompt introducing your topic. The prompt will lay out differing views on the topic and ask you to either support one of those viewpoints or to provide a different angle of your own.

It’s important that whichever route you choose to go, your essay provides reasons for your opinion, as well as information or examples that support it. Scoring is based on your ability to express your point of view in a focused, organized, and logical manner. Since you have a limited time to write your response, take a few minutes to organize your thoughts. (Perhaps jot down short notes or a brief outline.) Then start writing away!

Author: Alan Frost

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