Deadline set to register for ACT test

Students can take the achievement test during their junior and senior years.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The next nationwide American College Test exam date for college-bound high school students is June 10.
Students must register online or have their paper registrations postmarked by the end of the day May 5. The late registration postmark deadline is May 19 and an additional $18 fee is required for registration after May 5. The test cost is $29.
Many high school juniors take the test in June, check their scores and then decide whether to re-test in the fall or winter of their senior year.
By looking at their scores during the summer, students can study to boost academic weaknesses before taking the test again as seniors. The ACT allows students to report only the scores that they want sent to colleges.
The ACT includes an optional writing test which most colleges don't require. Students should check the admissions requirements of colleges they're considering before registering for the ACT. Adding the writing test raises the ACT cost to $43.
Students can receive registration information from their high school guidance counselors or they can register online at www.actstudent.org. The Web site also features test tips, practice tests, an online test prep program and a database for students to find out if a prospective college requires a writing score.
ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges and universities in the nation, including all Ivy League schools. The ACT is an academic achievement exam that includes four tests -- English, reading, math and science. Students who choose to take the writing test will add 30 minutes to the normal three-hour testing time.