To Write... Or not to Write

Should you opt to take the writing portion of the ACT?

Most students know that the ACT includes english, reading, math and science sections, but did you know that in February 2005 an optional 30-minute essay test was added?

In an attempt to provide college admissions boards with information on writing skills, students can now choose to write an essay based on a prompt about a social issue relevant to high school students. This section is always administered at the end of the test. Scores are not affected by students' point of view, and no particular essay structure is required.

Check out this ACT Web site link for sample essay prompts to help you practice:
www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html

Students who opt to take the writing test receive their five existing scores (english, math, reading, science and composite), plus a writing test score and a combined english/writing score on the 1-36 scale.

Two trained readers rate each essay between one and six. (A score of zero is reserved for essays that are blank, off-topic, non-English, not written with no. 2 pencil or considered illegible.) The scores are summed to produce a final score from two to 12 (or zero). If the two readers' scores differ by more than one point, a senior reader decides the final score.

Most four-year colleges and universities don't yet require applicants to submit writing test scores. To determine whether or not you need to take the writing test, log onto ACT's student Web site, www.actstudent.org. There, you can search schools to find out which ones require the writing test. You can also check directly with the colleges you are applying to, or speak with your counselor to decide whether or not the ACT Plus Writing is right for you.

This blog was written by Valerie Anderson

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