ACT, Inc.

ACT, Inc. is an American nonprofit organization best known for administering the ACT, a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Founded in 1959 by Everett Franklin Lindquist, a professor at the University of Iowa, it was established as a competitor to the College Board's SAT. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, the organization has expanded its mission beyond the flagship college entrance exam to provide a broad suite of educational and workforce assessment services, research, and credentialing.

History

The organization was incorporated in 1959 as the American College Testing Program, with its first administration of the ACT occurring in 1959 to over 75,000 students. Its creation was driven by Everett Franklin Lindquist, who sought an alternative to the SAT that was more directly tied to high school curricula. Initially focused on the Midwestern United States, the exam's popularity grew nationally, particularly after the University of California system began accepting it in the 1960s. A significant evolution came in 1989 with the introduction of the enhanced ACT, which included a science reasoning section. The organization changed its name to ACT, Inc. in 1996 to reflect its broadening scope beyond college testing. Major milestones include the 2005 launch of the optional ACT Writing Test and the 2016 announcement of significant revisions, including making the writing section optional and offering a computer-based testing format alongside traditional paper-based testing.

ACT test

The ACT is a standardized test measuring academic readiness for college. It consists of four required multiple-choice sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science, with an optional essay section. Scores for each section range from 1 to 36, with a composite score being the average of the four required sections. The test is administered seven times annually in the United States and additional dates internationally, at designated testing centers. The content is designed to assess skills typically acquired in high school core courses, and it is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States, often as an alternative to the SAT. The organization also provides related preparatory materials and the PreACT for younger students.

Other assessments and services

Beyond the college entrance exam, ACT, Inc. develops and administers a wide array of assessments. The WorkKeys system measures foundational workplace skills and is used for the National Career Readiness Certificate. For the K–12 market, it offers ACT Aspire, a longitudinal assessment system tracking student progress. The organization provides ACT Tessera, which measures social and emotional learning skills. It also engages in extensive educational research and policy analysis through its ACT Research division and offers instructional improvement and college planning resources for students and counselors through platforms like ACT Academy.

Operations and governance

ACT, Inc. is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors composed of educators and professionals from various sectors. Its operational headquarters are in Iowa City, Iowa, with additional offices across the United States, including in Washington, D.C., and internationally. The organization employs over 1,000 individuals. Revenue is generated primarily through test registration fees, sales of preparatory materials, and fees for other assessment services. A significant portion of its operational focus involves test development, scoring, and reporting, as well as combating test security issues like cheating. It also partners with state departments of education and districts to provide large-scale testing programs.

Criticism and controversies

ACT, Inc. has faced various criticisms and controversies. A primary critique is that, like the SAT, its exams may reflect or exacerbate socioeconomic and racial inequality in education, with score gaps observed among different demographic groups. The organization has encountered significant test security breaches, including incidents of widespread cheating in international testing locations. The 2016 redesign and the shift to computer-based testing prompted concerns about digital divide access issues. It has also been involved in legal disputes, notably a 2018 class-action lawsuit regarding the privacy of test-taker information, which was settled. Furthermore, the growing trend of test-optional admissions at institutions like the University of Chicago has challenged the necessity of standardized testing.