Registration deadline for ACT nears

Some juniors take the test to find their weaknesses, and take it again as a senior.
YOUNGSTOWN -- College-bound high school students can take the ACT Assessment on April 8, the next nationwide test date.
The registration postmark deadline is Friday, and the late registration postmark deadline is March 17.
The cost of the test is $29 if registration is completed by the regular deadline.
A late filing carries an additional $18 fee. Students wanting to take the optional writing test must pay an additional $14 fee, regardless of when they register.
Information
Registration information is available from high school guidance counselors or students can register directly on the ACT Web site at www.actstudent.org.
The Web site also offers test tips, practice tests, online test prep 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.
Scores are used, along with a student's high school grade point average, high school courses taken, extracurricular activities and other information to help determine if a student is academically ready for college-level course work.
Second chance
Many juniors choose to take the test in April, giving them a chance to determine their strengths and weaknesses and then get help from tutors or peers and take courses to improve in weak areas.
Students can take the test again early in their senior year and then report only the score they want colleges to see.
The ACT Assessment is an achievement test that includes four exams: English, reading, math and science.
Students who take the optional writing test will add 30 minutes to the three-hour normal testing time.
Most colleges and universities don't require a writing score, so students should check the writing test requirements of colleges they're considering before registering for the ACT.