What is the ACT Writing Test?
ACT writing is an optional section of the test and consists of one 40 minute essay on a modern topic with social relevance. The prompt provides a brief background paragraph followed by three separate perspectives on the subject. Students are asked to analyze and examine each perspective, develop their own positions, and explain how each perspective relates to the student's own position. It's designed to be in line with first-year college writing courses and places an emphasis on critical discussion versus argumentative essays.
How is the Test Scored?
There are limitations when it comes to the ACT Writing Test and colleges understand this. Even the most competitive schools in the country average a score of 8-10 (a perfect score would be a 12) for their incoming freshman. For that reason, a score of 6 or 7 shouldn't be a cause of concern when it comes to less selective schools.
A score is arrived at based on the following categories:
Ideas and Analysis (Thesis presentation, perspective engagement, context, relationships). A good essay takes a clear position and considers strengths/weaknesses of prompt perspectives.
Development and Support (Usage of examples to support ideas, explanation of how and why the examples support their discussion)
Organization (Maintaining focus on the position taken, transitioning well between and within paragraphs)
Language (Grammar, sentence structure, tone, and word usage)
Should I Sign Up?
This really depends on whether the colleges you want to apply to require a writing score.
In general, more selective schools expect you to submit a Writing score, while less selective ones don't. The essay is required by about 10% of selective schools. Students may as well take it just in case options open at these selective colleges.
If you’re not sure which schools you want to apply to, I would recommend taking the test with the Writing section, just to be safe.
If a student decides to take the test, I highly recommend they practice writing essays with some example prompts!