The ACT College Report
The ACT College Report provides comprehensive information about a college-bound student's needs, interests, background, and abilities. Each report includes the following sections:
- Identifying Information
- Scores and Predictive Data
- Admission/Enrollment Data
- College Selection Items
- Educational and Vocational Plans
- Educational Needs and Interests
- High School Course/Grade Information
- Interest Inventory Scores and Map Regions
Additional information can be found in The ACT User Handbook for Educators: 2013–2014 (PDF; 48 pages, 864KB).
Detailed explanations and close-up views of each of these sections are provided below.
Identifying Information
The top left section show the student's name, mailing address including country if not U.S., and gender, provided at the time of registration or testing. The top right section shows the last 4 digits of the student's Social Security number (if the student provided it) or ACT ID, birthdate, and phone number (Telephone Types are: H = Home, C = Cell, O = Other). If the student did not provide an SSN, ACT has assigned an ACT ID that begins with a dash.
The bottom left section includes the code number, name, and address of the student's high school, as reported at the time of registration or testing.
Test Location
Test Location: To help colleges identify different sets of test scores that may be achieved in the same month, ACT reports the location where the test was taken. All test locations must be authorized by ACT. The possible test locations are:
- NATIONAL: Testing at a national test center on a national test date (National test centers are those within the U.S. plus those in U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada.)
- INTRNATL: Testing at an international test center on an international test date (International test centers are those outside the U.S., U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada.)
- STATE: In-school testing on a state test date.
- SCHOOL: Testing not through national, international, state, or DANTES.
- DANTES: Testing at a DANTES military test center.
In addition, scores achieved through locally scheduled on-campus administrations for admitted or applicant students are reported as RESIDUAL.
Date Tested: The month and year the student took the ACT.
Year of high school graduation or equivalent, reported by the student.
Scores and Predictive Data
Student's four multiple-choice test scores (scale 1–36), Composite score (scale 1–36), and seven subscores (scale 1–18).
Norms are reported as cumulative percents, which are based on the most recent scores of high school seniors in the U.S. who graduated during the previous three years and who tested as 10th, 11th, or 12th graders under standard time conditions.
- National cumulative percents compare the student's performance with that of recent ACT-tested high school graduates.
- Local cumulative percents are reported for the student's scores and subscores if the college receiving the report has participated in ACT Research Services.
If the student took the ACT Plus Writing, a Combined English/Writing score (scale 1–36) and a Writing subscore (scale 2–12) are also provided. A student's Writing scores have no impact on the subject area scores or the Composite score.
- Cumulative percents for these scores are based on the most recent scores of high school seniors in the U.S. who graduated during the previous three years and who took the English and Writing tests as 10th, 11th, or 12th graders under standard time conditions.
- Local cumulative percents for Writing scores are not yet available.
Comments on the student's essay are reported on the Student Report and are represented as Comment Codes on the College Report.
Predictive Data
Predictive information is provided if the institution participates in ACT's Research Services.
- Overall GPA predictions, ranking the student's predicted overall grade point average (under "PGPA") and probabilities (under "PROB.") of student attaining an overall average of C or higher for groups selected by the institution.
- Specific course predictions, ranking the student's predicted grades (under "GRADE") and probabilities (under "PROB.") of attaining a C grade or better in specific courses selected by the institution.
Admission / Enrollment Data
- The institution's ACT code and choice among institutions authorized by the student to receive College Reports. "S" under "Choice" indicates a Supplemental report and "C" indicates Residual Testing.
- Self-reported disability information, reported only if volunteered by the student and if reporting is authorized by the college.
College Selection Items by Rank Order
The student's ranking of seven college choice factors and preferences regarding five of the factors.
Educational and Vocational Plans
A major and first vocational choice, selected by the student from an extensive list of educational majors and vocational choices. For both the major choice and first vocational choice, the student's indicated degree of certainty is VERY SURE, FAIRLY SURE, or NOT SURE.
Student's ultimate degree objective from among the following:
- BUS/TECH CERTIFICATE—vocational/technical or certificate program
- ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE (2 YR)—two-year college degree
- BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4 YR)—bachelor's degree program
- GRAD STUDY/MASTER'S LEVEL—one or two years of graduate study (MA, MBA, etc.)
- DOCTORATE/PROF DEGREE—professional level degree (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
- OTHER
College Educational Needs and Interests
Expressed need for assistance with educational development and interest in selected programs.
Indication of plans to seek financial aid or work while in school.
Interest Inventory
The ACT Interest Inventory measures six major types of interest. The six standard scores and percentile ranks are based on a nationally representative sample of grade 12 students.
On the World-of-Work Map, region indicators help the student relate work activity preferences, as assessed by the ACT Interest Inventory, to groups of occupations. The World-of-Work Map appears on the back of the College Report.
Self-Reported High School Information
Information about the student's high school graduating class and record, including self-reported rank and range of grade point average on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Subjects Studied and Advanced Placement
The number of years the student studied these subjects in high school. YES indicates the student was enrolled in an advanced placement, accelerated, or Honors course.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities. In the top row, Y (yes) or N (no) indicates whether the student participated in the stated activities in high school. Responses in the bottom row indicate whether the student plans to participate in these activities in college.
Student E-mail
If the student provided an e-mail address when he or she established an ACT Web account or tested on a state test date, it is shown here.
Background Information
The first three Background Information items can be released only to colleges that authorize ACT Reporting Services to report them.
Special Message
An asterisk (*) prints in the special message box if enough information is not available to provide predictive information to colleges that participate in ACT Predictive Services.
Self-Reported High School Course/Grade Information
- Covers 30 college-preparatory courses in six major curricular areas: English, mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, language, and arts. This information is provided only for students who test through national, international, or state testing and report this information.
- Indicates courses taken (T), courses not taken but planned (P), and courses not planned at all (N).
- Provides self-reported grades for courses completed (A, B, C, D, or F).
- Download an actual-size copy of the sample report (PDF; 1 page).