ACT State Testing

Bringing ACT Solutions to the Classroom

We are working directly with our state partners to offer alternate administration solutions for ACT State Testing. More information about your testing program will come directly from your state.

Provide Statewide Access and Opportunity for ALL Students

Raise expectations and meet the needs of students beyond accountability. Statewide testing provides your students with the opportunity to assess their academic skills and level of college readiness in a familiar environment. Having all students participate, raises college awareness and exposure among all students, rather than only self-selected, college-bound students. For some students, the experience may help them realize they have the skills to perform college-level coursework. 

 

Opportunities

Statewide testing raises awareness and exposure among all students, not just self-selected, college-bound students.

A great equalizer of opportunity, bringing more underserved and first generation college students, and middle- and low-income students into the enrollment pipeline.

Meaningful Data

Norm and criterion-referenced assessments focus on the integrated, higher-order thinking skills students develop in grades K–12 that are important for success both during and after high school.

Flexibility

The assessment system is flexible, allowing customized State Allowed Accommodations, and test administration on designated weekdays or weekends.

Smart Business

States can expect to enjoy a high return on investment and see a reduction in remediation. In addition, ACT protects student privacy and facilitates easy integration of test results into state systems by using state-assigned IDs instead of Social Security numbers.

ACT Education and Career Solutions Provided at the State Level

State Partnerships

Alabama

ACT Online Prep, PreACT®, ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™, ACT WorkKeys®, the ACT®

 

Alaska

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Arizona

The ACT

 

Arkansas

ACT® Aspire®, ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

Colorado

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Florida

PreACT

 

Hawaii

PreACT,  the ACT, ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Iowa

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Kansas

PreACT 8/9®, ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

Kentucky

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

Massachusetts

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, ACT WorkKeys® Curriculum

 

Michigan

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Minnesota

The ACT

 

Mississippi

The ACT

 

Missouri

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Montana

PreACT,  the ACT

 

Nebraska

PreACT, ACT Online Prep, the ACT

 

Nevada

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

New Mexico

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

North Carolina

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, PreACT, the ACT

 

North Dakota

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

Louisiana

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

Ohio

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

Oklahoma

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, PreACT, the ACT

 

South Carolina

PreACT, the ACT

 

South Dakota

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys

 

Tennessee

The ACT

 

Texas

The ACT

 

Utah

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

 

Wisconsin

ACT Aspire, the ACT

 

Wyoming

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, ACT WorkKeys, the ACT

Related Research

Getting Started

The process for setting up an ACT Statewide Testing program typically follows the schedule below.

January
The state commits to the program, signing an agreement to proceed. ACT will provide a detailed description of the services. The state decides which testing dates will occur and which tests will be administered.

February/March
A launch meeting takes place, involving representatives from the state and the ACT implementation team. Final decisions are made about the testing schedule and the roles and responsibilities of each party. 

March/April
The state signs off on the description of services and the schedule, including affirmation of all critical dates (such as training workshops, interpretive workshops, and test dates), data transfers, reporting options, psychometric procedures, augmentation (if applicable), number of days, student population participation, school participation, state use questions, and data collection requirements.

April/May
Implementation training takes place for districts and key decision makers. The training sets expectations regarding the implementation of the assessment programs and must take place before the end of the spring semester.

August/September
Training takes place for principals and school decision makers at the test sites. This sets expectations regarding the test site establishment process and appointment of testing staff.

October
Each school must identify a test coordinator. Training materials are provided for test accommodations and English learner support coordinators to set expectations regarding the process of administering accommodations and supports.

November/December/January
Training materials are provided for school-level personnel.

February to May
Administration of the ACT test on selected date.

June to August
Aggregate reports are delivered to the schools, districts, and state.