PreACT Assessments

Practice for the ACT Test

An Early Indicator of College and Career Readiness

PreACT® assessments offer 8th, 9th, and 10th graders an early experience with ACT test items, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready. 

Anchored on the ACT college and career readiness standards, PreACT assessments help educators, students, and parents, identify areas of academic strength and opportunity. Students may opt to have their information shared with colleges and scholarship agencies when they take PreACT 8/9, PreACT, or PreACT Secure, providing greater opportunities for recruitment and scholarship awards.  

New: PreACT 8/9 and PreACT Now Have an Online Option

PreACT gives you more flexibility and choice between online or paper-pencil formats as you make your assessment plans for next year. Sign up to be notified when 2024-25 enrollment opens.

One ACT Solution Builds on the Next

PreACT Continuum graphic

PreACT Assessment Comparison Chart

Features PreACT 8/9 PreACT PreACT Secure
Value Gives students an early measure of college and career readiness while providing performance predictions and instructional support. Gives students practice with taking the ACT. Educators can use insights from PreACT report data to understand performance predictions, inform interventions, and give instructional support. Schools, districts, or states can use for high-stakes or accountability purposes while giving students practice with taking the ACT. Educators get insights from PreACT report data to understand performance predictions, inform interventions, and give instructional support.
Validated Standards and Benchmarks Based on validated ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. Based on validated ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. Based on validated ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and ACT College Readiness Benchmarks.
Scoring and Score Predictions Aligned to the same 1-36 score scale as the ACT, PreACT 8/9 has a top score of 30. Provides predicted score ranges for PreACT and ACT Subject and Composite scores. PreACT 8/9 also provides a STEM score. Aligned to the same 1-36 score scale as the ACT, PreACT has a top score of 35. Provides predicted score ranges for the ACT Subject and Composite Scores. PreACT also provides a STEM score. Aligned to the same 1-36 score scale as the ACT, PreACT Secure has a top score of 35. Provides predicted score ranges for the ACT Subject and Composite scores. PreACT Secure also provides a STEM score.
Educator and Student Reports Multiple reports including: Item Response Summary Report by Grade, Student Report, online Educator Reports, Interest Inventory and test booklets returned to students. Multiple reports including: Item Response Summary Report by Grade, Student Report, online Educator Reports, Interest Inventory and test booklets returned to students. Multiple reports including: Student Report and online Educator Reports.
Career and Navigation Career suggestions based on student goals and interests are provided based on answers to the Student Profile and Interest Inventory. Career suggestions based on student goals and interests are provided based on answers to the Student Profile and Interest Inventory. PreACT Secure scores can inform high school course selection, college and career planning, and test preparation activities.
Grades Grades 8-9 Grade 10 Grade 10
Flexible Administration  Schools choose when to test anytime between early September to late May. Schools choose when to test anytime between early September to late May. One six-week window in March-April.
Quick Implementation Materials received quickly, fast report turnaround time, and modularity allows for testing across multiple days.  Materials received quickly, fast report turnaround time, and modularity allows for testing across multiple days. Online administration is easily set up and delivered to students with fast report turnaround time.
Delivery Paper-pencil and Online options 
Multiple ohoice 
130 minutes		 Paper-pencil and Online options 
Multiple choice 
130 minutes		 Online 
Multiple choice 
155 minutes
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K12 Educators are Excited About PreACT Assessments and Here's What They're Saying!

Read more about experiences with the PreACT assessments and the remarkable results it helped them achieve.

 

“This test has given our students a "heads up" regarding the type of testing they will face for college entrance. After taking the PreACT, they realize that preparation will be necessary for real testing and become more serious about that. I like the interest inventory. It's helpful in guiding the student towards the best fit for their career.”

"I specifically liked that it aligned to the ACT Test and it gave our 10th graders a chance to see what a nationally normed test looks like and then it also gave them an indication about the time factor involved in taking the test. It was a good practice test for our students.”

 

“The turnaround for test scores as well as the easy to understand score sheet was a great testing experience. Students are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and can use those while preparing for the ACT and college prep.”

“The score reporting and it's similarity to the ACT reporting makes it easy for students and parents alike to understand goals for the ACT. I also like the flexibility of the exam date. It let us figure out the best date that works for our students."

Using PreACT Assessments

Create a Pathway to Success

With predicted performance on PreACT and the ACT, your students can have an earlier indication of success and a starting point to the path of college. 

Course Placement 

Set students up for success by placing them in the correct level during critical transition points from junior high to high school. 

 

Create a College Going Culture

Start counseling students earlier on their college and career options by utilizing the Student Profile and Interest Inventory. 

College and Career Readiness Day

Consider establishing a College and Career Readiness Day—a specific day dedicated to the readiness of your students. Your school can shut down the bells and deliver all assessments on the same day. 

Have questions? Call 877-789-2925