If you have a student who is preparing to take the ACT this fall, you have no doubt heard rumblings of a change to the way the ACT college entrance exam is scored. The test is scored according to a 1-36 scale for four subject areas - English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. But the optional Writing test (i.e. the essay) recently underwent a scoring change, reverting from a 1-36 scale back to the 2-12 scale that it had prior to 2015. So here's how it works: The Writing (essay) test is scored by two independent readers, who score the submission on a scale of 1-6 for four (4) writing domains:

• • • Your ability to analyze and evaluate multiple perspectives,

 

• • • state and develop your own perspective,

 

• • • explain and support your ideas, and

 

• • • clearly and logically organize your ideas, and effectively communicate your ideas.

 

For a brief period of time, the makers of the ACT test adopted a 1-36 scoring range for the Writing test, in an effort to make it more uniform with the other subject tests on the ACT; however, the general feedback received about the change was largely negative, finding that the new scoring was confusing. So, beginning with the September 10, 2016 ACT test, students can again expect to see a range from 2-12 on the Writing test score. Although it is an optional part of the ACT exam, it is strongly recommended that you take the Writing test to better demonstrate your English Language Arts mastery to your potential colleges, and to remain competitive with other applicants in the college admissions process. For help improving your ACT Writing score, call Club Z! at 1-800-434-2582 today.