What does ACT stand for when it means the college entrance exam? The letters began as short for American College Testing, the name of the program that launched the test in 1959. The organization later shortened its name, and today ACT is the official name on its own, with no longer form behind it.
So if a form or teacher asks for your ACT score, they mean the standardized exam that juniors and seniors across the country sit for college admissions and scholarships. The same three letters also show up in law, health care and geography, covered further down.
Quick facts
Stands for
American College Testing (original name)Today
ACT is the official name, not an abbreviationType
Initialism, said A C TUsed for
College admissions, scholarships, placementScored
1 to 36 for each section and the compositeStarted
1959Not to be confused with
ACT stands for a name that was dropped
The test was created as an alternative to the SAT, and the company behind it was called the American College Testing Program. Over time the group grew into more than a test maker, offering career tools and research, and it rebranded with just the three letters. This is common for organizations. Once the letters are better known than the words, the words get retired.
Because of that history, you will still see "American College Testing" in older books, school guides and quiz questions. Either answer is reasonable: the letters stood for American College Testing, and today ACT simply means ACT.
What does ACT stand for in education today?
In schools, the ACT is a timed exam taken in grades 11 or 12, sometimes earlier. The classic version tests skills students build in high school:
- English: grammar, punctuation and the way sentences fit together.
- Math: algebra, geometry and some trigonometry.
- Reading: passages followed by questions on meaning and detail.
- Science: reading charts, experiments and data, not memorized facts.
- Writing: an optional essay scored separately.
Each section is scored from 1 to 36, and the composite is their average, rounded. The format has been shortened and adjusted in recent years, so students should check the current rules before test day.
A scholarship form: "Composite ACT or SAT score (optional): ____." Here the school wants your overall ACT number, the one between 1 and 36, or your SAT total instead.
ACT vs SAT: how they compare
| Point | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Top score | 36 | 1600 |
| Science section | Yes, in the classic format | No separate section |
| Accepted by colleges | Widely | Widely |
Most colleges that ask for scores accept either test and treat them equally. Many students try a practice test of each and pick the one that suits them. Younger students may take the PSAT first as a warmup for the SAT.
Other meanings of ACT by field
| Field | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Law | An Act, a law passed by a legislature | "The Act takes effect next month" |
| Psychology | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | "Her counselor uses ACT" |
| Geography | Australian Capital Territory | "Canberra, ACT" |
| Hospitals | Activated clotting time, a blood test | "Check the ACT before surgery" |
When people ask "what does the act stand for" about a law, the answer is usually not an acronym at all. "Act" is just the word for a bill that has become law, as in the Clean Air Act. Some laws do carry acronym names, like RICO or ADA, and the A or final letter in them often stands for Act.
Writing and saying ACT
Say the letters, "A C T," not the word "act." Write them in capitals and use an before them, since A is a vowel sound: an ACT score, an ACT prep class. Students often say "the ACT," with "the" in front, the same way they say "the SAT."
- "I am taking the ACT in April."
- "Her ACT composite was a 29."
- "Our school gives the ACT to every junior."
More letters you will see on a transcript or course guide are on the school acronyms page.
Questions people ask
What does ACT stand for in school?
It names the college entrance test. The letters originally came from American College Testing, but today ACT is the full official name.
Does ACT stand for anything anymore?
Not officially. The organization dropped the long form, so ACT is now a name, like many companies that kept only their initials.
What is a good ACT score?
It depends on the colleges you are aiming for. The national average composite has tended to sit near 20, and selective schools often look for scores in the high 20s or 30s.
Is the ACT easier than the SAT?
Neither is easier for everyone. They cover similar skills with different timing and formats, so a practice test of each is the best guide.
What does the A in a law name like ADA stand for?
In many law acronyms the final A stands for Act. In ADA, the D and the A come from Disabilities Act, and the first A from Americans.