The ACT® Writing section is an optional paper-and-pencil essay test that assesses your writing skills and knowledge of standard English. The test complements the ACT English and Reading Tests to evaluate your understanding of the English language and how you use it to communicate an idea and logically develop a thesis. It is an optional section that doesn't affect your composite ACT score.
This test looks good on your college application if you want to study language, literature, or any allied subject. A good ACT Writing test score will indicate your readiness for introductory college composition courses or any related subjects you wish to pursue.
ACT Writing Format
The ACT Writing section comprises 40 minutes of the total testing time and consists of a passage, followed by 3 perspectives associated with that passage and a few writing prompts. After carefully reading the passage and perspectives, you'll need to formulate a thesis by outlining the points addressed in the prompts. To make the most of your time, follow a structured essay template that contains a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
You can incorporate a partial or complete perspective from the prompt or derive your own. Either way, your essay should examine the relationship between your perspective and the perspective(s) already presented in the prompt. You will only be evaluated on your comprehension, analytical, and writing abilities, and your ability to logically create and defend a thesis. Practice with our ACT Question Bank to sharpen your essay writing skills.
ACT writing prompts are a crucial part of the writing test. Remember to address the intent of the prompts when composing your essay.
You must write your essay on the answer sheets provided to you. Remember to carry pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Mechanical pencils or ink pens are prohibited. If you have a documented disability that affects how you take the test, you can request ACT testing accommodations.
Why is the ACT Writing Section Optional?
While the ACT English, Reading, and Math Tests assess your overall college readiness parameters, the ACT Writing Test focuses only on your command of standard written English. The test evaluates targeted skills required for specific college course placements and/or admissions.
However, some states require you to take the ACT Writing Test to graduate from high school, so check your high school, state, and college admission requirements. Check out our blog on the Role of ACT Writing in College Admissions to learn how an ACT Writing score can help bolster your career.
What Skills Are Assessed on the ACT Writing Test?
The ACT does not publish a syllabus for the writing test. However, the subject typically involves social and political issues, so staying current is recommended.
The ACT publishes a list of skills that are assessed on the ACT Writing Test. Each skill carries a specific number of points that are reported on your ACT scorecard. This score is a measurement of your readiness for college-level English language and composition courses. The list below explains the skills tested on the ACT Writing:
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Ideas and Analysis
The first writing skill assesses how you engage with and develop critical perspectives on a given issue. You must understand the issue at hand, your audience, and the purpose of your assignment.
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Development and Support
As the name suggests, this skill evaluates your ability to develop an idea or argument and support it with logic and examples.
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Organization
This skill tests how you organize your arguments and ideas with clarity and purpose. You must arrange your essay by maintaining a cohesive link between your perspective, argument, evidence, and example, followed by your conclusion.
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Language Use and Conventions
As you may have guessed, this skill assesses your command of written English. You must demonstrate how you use your knowledge of standard grammar conventions, syntax, and usage to develop your thesis. You will also have to adjust your writing and tone for your target reader so you can communicate your argument effectively.
ACT Writing Score
The ACT Writing score is reported as 4 domain scores and 1 holistic score. Each domain score relates to one writing skill discussed in the previous section. The holistic and domain scores are scored on a scale of 2 to 12. Your final ACT Writing score is calculated by averaging the 4 domain scores and rounding them to the nearest whole number. To make it easy for you, we've put together the table below showing the scoring structure for ACT Writing:
| Score Type | Score Category | Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Score | Ideas and Analysis | 2 - 12 |
| Development and Support | 2 - 12 | |
| Organization | 2 - 12 | |
| Language Use and Conventions | 2 - 12 | |
| Total ACT Writing Score | 2 - 12 | |
Remember that your ACT score report contains an ELA (English Language Arts) score. This score is calculated based on your ACT English, ACT Reading, and ACT Writing scores and is crucial if you plan to major in the humanities. You will not get an ELA score if you do not opt for the ACT Writing Test. If you're curious about how the ACT is scored, check out our article on the ACT scoring structure.
How Hard is ACT Writing?
The ACT Writing section can be challenging, depending on how well you can execute a cohesive essay and demonstrate your mastery of standard written English. Assessment is based on your ability to read a text critically, form an argument, and support it with logic.
Below are the ACT Writing Test scores from the past 3 years (2022-2024). The table shows the number of students who took the ACT Writing Test between 2022 to 2024 and the average score for each test year. We've also included the average ELA score and the percentage of students who fulfilled the ELA college readiness benchmark set by ACT.org:
| Year |
ACT Writing
Test Takers |
Avg.
ACT Writing Score |
Avg. ELA Score |
% of Students who met the ELA Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 369,535 | 6.1 | 17.6 | 36% |
| 2023 | 380,279 | 6.1 | 17.6 | 35% |
| 2022 | 333,194 | 6.2 | 18.3 | 39% |
As you can see from the table above, the average writing and ELA scores have gone down in the last 3 years. This decrease also reflects the percentage of students who could not meet the ELA college readiness benchmark. After looking at the data, it appears that scoring has become more rigorous over the years.
ACT Writing Tips
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Read, read, read
Read texts like short stories, essays, news articles, blogs, and research essays. These will give you an idea of how a well-written article or text is constructed and how the writer supports their perspective through evidence and examples. You will also learn about the different types of writing styles, language use, and other elements of writing.
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Understand the structure of an essay
An ideal essay should contain the following:
- Introduction (1 paragraph)
- Body text (2-3 paragraphs)
- Conclusion (1 paragraph)
As you read, you will get an idea of how a written piece is structured. Reading will help you learn how the author organizes their thesis and connects the introduction to the body text and the conclusion.
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Write
Reading should be followed by repeated practice. Taking regular ACT assessment tests will help you train for the exam and manage time. Write essays, stories, poems, editorials, and reports. This way, you can get an idea of the time it takes to write a cohesive text. Also, you will understand how to develop an essay's introduction, body, and conclusion to make it coherent and meaningful.
Check out our free practice test PDF with answers to see where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you take the ACT Writing test separately?
No, you cannot take the ACT Writing Test separately.
Do colleges look at your ACT Writing score?
Some colleges look at your ACT Writing score, especially if you’re applying for a major related to language and/or composition.
What is the minimum score required to pass the ACT Writing test?
ACT Writing is not a pass/fail test. However, a score of 6 to 7 is considered average.
Is there a penalty for not completing the ACT Writing test?
No, there is no penalty for not completing the ACT Writing Test.
Should I take the ACT with or without the Writing test?
It depends on which colleges you are applying to and your career goals.
Can the ACT Writing test hurt your score?
No, your final ACT score does not include ACT Writing since it is an optional test.
Can you superscore the ACT without the Writing test?
Yes, you can. The Writing Test is not a component of the final ACT score, so it is not considered when superscoring your ACT.
What is a good ACT Writing score?
A score of 8 and above is considered a good ACT Writing score.
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