What is the PreACT?

High school can initially feel a bit overwhelming—there’s a lot to learn, and you’ve got to begin preparing for any number of tests. Before you’ve really begun this phase of your life, you’re already being asked to think about college.

One of the things virtually every high school student has to deal with is standardized testing. While this often happens within the curriculum of your school, you’ve also got the option of completing testing that will gain you admittance to the colleges and universities you hope to attend. Sure, you’ve heard of the ACT and SAT—but what about the PreACT?

What exactly is the PreACT?

Simply put, the PreACT acts as preparation for the ACT, which is typically taken during your junior or senior year of high school (if you choose to take it). According to act.org, the PreACT is designed to be an early indication of progress to help guide action plans, provide fast reporting so students and educators can turn PreACT data into action, and easy, flexible, affordable administration to give students high-stakes practice.

The PreACT can be taken by students anytime between September 1st and June 1st.

Practice makes perfect

One of the best things about the PreACT is that it offers the ability to practice taking the ACT in a simulated environment. Your PreACT score is offered in the same format as your ACT score, which can help students feel more prepared and ultimately raise their scores.

The act of testing can also give students valuable insights into areas they may wish to study more or those where they’re excelling, allowing teachers and students to further tailor learning plans.

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Guidance for your future

The PreACT can also be a great tool for helping you decide what exactly it is you’d like to do in your future career. While you certainly have some time to decide, it can be helpful to at least have an idea now about what career path you may wish to ultimately follow.

The PreACT can offer some insight into strengths or weaknesses and help guidance counselors, parents, and educators encourage students into particular fields that may fit them best.

An opportunity for colleges

While you’re not required to share your PreACT scores with colleges or scholarship sponsors, you may do so if you choose. This can give universities the opportunity to recruit you, which can open new doors. You may also receive more personal correspondence, scholarships, and recruitment when you perform particularly well on the test.

Helping make education better

The PreACT is beneficial for students and teachers alike, offering guidance and perspective into ideas for more effective education concepts for students. The data gathered from this test can be used to support or amend important decisions about facets of the high school curriculum that will ideally help students in the long-term.

The next step

Once students have taken the PreACT, they can use that foundation to keep reviewing for the ACT in an effective manner that appeals to their strengths and weaknesses, perhaps by using ACT practice tests or an ACT prep book. Preparing for the ACT is a multi-step process—taking the PreACT is only the beginning.

By adequately preparing for the ACT, you’re ensuring that you’re giving yourself the best chance for a promising academic future.