Your Child Wants to Study in the US — Now What?
You’ve heard the term “ACT” from other parents, school counsellors, or your child’s friends. But you’re not entirely sure what it is, why it matters, or where to start.
You’re not alone.
Every year, hundreds of Singapore families begin the US university application journey without a clear understanding of standardized testing. The information online is overwhelming — and most of it is written for American students, not Singapore-based families.
This guide is different. It’s written specifically for Singapore families who are completely new to the ACT Test Preparation. No jargon. No assumptions. Just a clear, step-by-step roadmap from “What is the ACT?” to “My child is ready for test day.”
Whether you’re a parent trying to understand the process or a student just beginning to explore US university options — start here.
Quick Overview: What This Guide Covers
- What the ACT actually is and why it matters
- How the ACT is structured (simple breakdown)
- ACT vs SAT — which one should your child take?
- When Singapore students should start preparing
- How to register step by step
- What a good ACT score looks like
- How to build a preparation plan from zero
- Common misconceptions Singapore families have
- Real student timeline example
Section 1: What Is the ACT?
The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used by US universities to evaluate student readiness for college-level work.
Key facts:
- Accepted by all US universities that require standardized testing
- Tests four subjects: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science
- Has an optional Writing (essay) section
- Scored on a scale of 1 to 36
- Taken by approximately 1.4 million students annually worldwide
- Available at test centers in Singapore multiple times per year
Why it matters for Singapore students:
If your child is applying to US universities — whether Ivy League schools, state universities, or liberal arts colleges — most will either require or recommend an ACT (or SAT) score as part of the application.
Even universities with “test-optional” policies often view strong ACT scores favourably. A high score strengthens the application significantly.
Section 2: How the ACT Is Structured
Here’s the simplest possible breakdown of what your child will face on test day.
| Section | What It Tests | Questions | Time |
| English | Grammar, punctuation, writing style | 75 | 45 minutes |
| Mathematics | Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Reading | Comprehension, inference, analysis | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Science | Data interpretation, experimental reasoning | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Writing (Optional) | Essay argument and analysis | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
Total test time: About 3 hours without Writing. About 3 hours 40 minutes with Writing.
Scoring:
- Each section is scored 1–36
- The composite score is the average of the four section scores
- Writing is scored separately (2–12) and does not affect the composite
Important note for parents: The ACT Science section does NOT test memorized science facts. It tests your child’s ability to read graphs, interpret data, and understand experiments. Strong science grades help — but this section is really about analytical reasoning.
Section 3: ACT vs SAT — Which Should Your Child Take?
This is one of the most common questions Singapore families ask. Both tests are accepted equally by all US universities.
Quick comparison:
| Feature | ACT | SAT |
| Sections | English, Math, Reading, Science | Reading & Writing, Math |
| Science section | Yes | No |
| Math coverage | Up to trigonometry | Up to advanced algebra |
| Calculator policy | Allowed for entire Math section | One section with, one without |
| Scoring | 1–36 composite | 400–1600 total |
| Time pressure | Higher (more questions per minute) | Moderate |
| Guessing penalty | None | None |
| Essay | Optional | Not available (removed in 2024) |
Which is better for Singapore students?
| Your Child’s Strengths | Better Fit |
| Strong in science and data interpretation | ACT |
| Prefers faster-paced tests | ACT |
| Strong in math but prefers less time pressure | SAT |
| Comfortable with American English conventions | Either |
| Wants an essay option | ACT |
Our recommendation: Have your child take a diagnostic practice test for both the ACT and SAT. Compare scores using the official concordance table. Choose the test where they score higher naturally.
Parent Tip: Don’t choose based on what other families are doing. Choose based on your child’s individual strengths and testing style.
Section 4: When Should Singapore Students Start Preparing?
Short answer: Year 10 or Year 11 (Secondary 4 or 5, or equivalent).
Detailed timeline:
| Stage | Timing | What to Do |
| Exploration | Year 10 (age 15–16) | Learn about ACT structure, take a diagnostic test |
| Foundation | Early Year 11 (age 16–17) | Begin structured preparation, identify weak sections |
| Intensive Prep | Mid Year 11 | Regular practice sessions, first ACT attempt |
| Final Push | Late Year 11 / Early Year 12 | Targeted improvement, second/third ACT attempt |
Why start early?
- Early starters have time for 2–3 attempts
- Superscoring rewards multiple attempts (universities take your highest section scores across test dates)
- Less pressure when preparation begins before Year 12 application crunch
- More time to balance ACT prep with school commitments
Section 5: How to Register for the ACT — Step by Step
Registration happens entirely online through the official ACT website.
Step-by-step process:
- Create an account at act.org (use your child’s real name — must match passport)
- Select “International” as the testing location
- Choose Singapore and select a test center
- Pick a test date (register 6–8 weeks early for best availability)
- Upload a photo meeting ACT requirements (clear face, no glasses, no hat)
- Choose with or without Writing based on university requirements
- Pay the registration fee (international fees apply — approximately USD $170–190)
- Print the admission ticket immediately after confirmation
Documents needed for test day:
✅ Printed admission ticket (not digital)
✅ Valid passport (recommended ID for international students)
✅ No. 2 pencils (not mechanical)
✅ ACT-approved calculator
Parent Note: The account should be in the student’s name. However, parents can help with the registration process — especially for payment. Just ensure all personal details match the student’s passport exactly.
Section 6: What Is a Good ACT Score?
This depends entirely on where your child is applying.
ACT Score Benchmarks for US Universities:
| University Tier | Typical ACT Range | Examples |
| Ivy League / Top 10 | 34–36 | Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton |
| Top 20 | 32–35 | Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown |
| Top 50 | 29–33 | Boston University, Wisconsin, Illinois |
| Top 100 | 25–30 | Arizona State, Indiana, Temple |
| Less selective | 20–25 | Many state universities |
National average (2023): 19.5 composite
Competitive Singapore student average: Typically 28–32 with proper preparation
Important context for parents:
- ACT scores are just one component of the application
- Universities also evaluate GPA, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations
- A strong ACT score opens doors — but doesn’t guarantee admission alone
Section 7: How to Build a Preparation Plan from Zero
If your child has never studied for the ACT, here’s where to start.
Phase 1: Diagnostic (Week 1)
- Take a full-length official ACT practice test under timed conditions
- Score it honestly
- Identify strongest and weakest sections
- Set a realistic target score (typically 4–6 points above diagnostic)
Phase 2: Foundation Building (Weeks 2–5)
- Study ACT-specific content for each section
- Learn ACT English grammar rules (different from British English)
- Review math formulas not covered in Singapore school syllabuses
- Practice reading passages with strict timing
- Learn data interpretation techniques for Science
Phase 3: Practice and Refinement (Weeks 6–9)
- Take a second full-length practice test at Week 6
- Compare with diagnostic — identify improvement areas
- Focus 60% of study time on weakest sections
- Practice answer elimination strategies
- Build test-taking speed through timed drills
Phase 4: Final Preparation (Weeks 10–12)
- Take a third and final full-length practice test at Week 10
- Review all wrong answers from all practice tests
- Light review only in the final week
- Rest completely the day before the exam
Weekly time commitment: 5–7 hours per week is sufficient for most students.
Section 8: Understanding Superscoring — Why Multiple Attempts Matter
This is one of the most important concepts for families to understand.
What superscoring means:
If your child takes the ACT multiple times, many universities will take the highest score from each section across all test dates and combine them into a “superscore.”
Example:
| Section | Test 1 (June) | Test 2 (October) | Superscore |
| English | 30 | 32 | 32 |
| Math | 28 | 27 | 28 |
| Reading | 25 | 29 | 29 |
| Science | 27 | 30 | 30 |
| Composite | 27.5 → 28 | 29.5 → 30 | 29.75 → 30 |
By taking the ACT twice, this student’s effective composite jumped from 28 to 30 — a significant difference for university admissions.
Parent takeaway: Plan for at least 2 attempts. The first attempt is a learning experience. The second attempt is where real improvement happens.
Section 9: Key Differences Singapore Families Should Know
The ACT is an American test. Several aspects differ from what Singapore students are used to.
Key differences:
| Singapore School Exams | ACT |
| British English conventions | American English conventions |
| Show your working for credit | Multiple choice only (no partial credit) |
| Penalty for wrong answers (some exams) | No penalty for wrong answers |
| Science tests content knowledge | Science tests data interpretation |
| Extended time for some papers | Strict time limits — no extensions |
| Marks for method | Only the final answer matters |
| School-based assessment | Standardized — same test worldwide |
Common surprise for Singapore students: ACT Math covers Statistics and Probability more heavily than most Singapore school syllabuses. This is a gap worth addressing during preparation.
Student Scenario: The Chen Family’s ACT Journey
The Chen family’s daughter, Wei Ling, was a Year 10 student at a Singapore government school. She wanted to apply to US universities but had never heard of the ACT until her school counsellor mentioned it.
Their timeline:
| Month | Action |
| March (Year 10) | Researched ACT vs SAT — decided on ACT based on diagnostic scores |
| April | Enrolled in structured ACT preparation programme |
| June | Took first diagnostic — scored 24 composite |
| September | First ACT attempt — scored 27 |
| October | Reviewed score report — Reading and Science were weakest |
| January (Year 11) | Focused preparation on Reading strategies and Science data interpretation |
| April | Second ACT attempt — scored 30 |
| June | Third ACT attempt — scored 32 (superscore: 33) |
| September (Year 12) | Submitted applications with 33 superscore |
Result: Wei Ling was accepted to University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) with a partial scholarship.
What the Chen family did right:
- Started early — gave Wei Ling 3 full attempts
- Chose the right test based on diagnostic results
- Invested in structured coaching rather than self-study alone
- Used superscoring strategically
- Didn’t panic after the first attempt
Common Misconceptions Singapore Families Have About the ACT
Misconception 1: “My child gets straight A’s — they don’t need to prepare.”
School grades don’t predict ACT scores. The test format, timing, and question style are fundamentally different from school exams.
Misconception 2: “ACT Science requires studying biology, chemistry, and physics.”
It doesn’t. ACT Science tests data reading skills — not content memorization.
Misconception 3: “One attempt is enough.”
Most students improve significantly between their first and second attempts. Plan for at least two.
Misconception 4: “We should wait until Year 12 to start preparing.”
Year 12 is already application season. Starting in Year 10 or early Year 11 gives you the best timeline.
Misconception 5: “Test-optional means scores don’t matter.”
Strong ACT scores still provide a competitive advantage — even at test-optional universities. Many admissions officers have confirmed this publicly.
Misconception 6: “The SAT and ACT are basically the same.”
They test different skills in different formats. Your child may naturally perform better on one. Always diagnose before choosing.
Pro Tutor Tips for Singapore Families New to the ACT
Tip 1: Don’t let your child choose between ACT and SAT without data. Have them take a practice test for each. Compare results. Then commit to one.
Tip 2: Understand that the ACT composite score is an average — improving one weak section can dramatically raise the overall score. This makes targeted preparation incredibly efficient.
Tip 3: Ask your child’s target universities whether they require the Writing section. If none do, skip it — it adds 40 minutes of testing and mental fatigue.
Tip 4: Keep school exam preparation and ACT preparation separate. They require different study approaches. Mixing them leads to confusion and burnout.
Tip 5: Consider professional guidance — especially if this is your family’s first time navigating US university admissions. At Test Prep Online with The Princeton Review Singapore, our team specializes in guiding Singapore families through every step of the ACT process — from initial diagnostic to final score submission — with programmes designed specifically for local students.
FAQ: ACT Beginner Questions for Singapore Families
Q1: What age should my child start thinking about the ACT?
Age 15–16 (Year 10 or Secondary 4) is a good time to begin exploring. Active preparation typically starts in Year 11.
Q2: How much does the ACT cost?
International registration costs approximately USD $170–190, depending on whether Writing is included. Additional score reports cost around USD $16 each.
Q3: Where can my child take the ACT in Singapore?
Multiple test centers in Singapore offer the ACT. Select your preferred center during registration at act.org.
Q4: How many times should my child take the ACT?
We recommend 2–3 attempts for most students. This allows time for score improvement and strategic superscoring.
Q5: Do Singapore schools prepare students for the ACT?
Most Singapore schools do not include ACT-specific preparation in their curriculum. External preparation — through self-study, tutoring, or structured programmes — is typically needed.
Q6: Is the ACT harder than the SAT?
Neither is objectively harder. They test different skills. Some students score higher on the ACT; others do better on the SAT. A diagnostic test is the best way to determine which suits your child.
Q7: Can my child take both the ACT and SAT?
Yes. Some students take both and submit whichever score is stronger. However, preparing for both simultaneously is not recommended — focus on one at a time.
Q8: What if my child doesn’t score well on their first attempt?
That’s completely normal and expected. Most students improve 3–5 points between their first and second attempts with proper preparation and review.
Final Thoughts: Every Expert Was Once a Beginner
The US university application process can feel overwhelming — especially when standardized testing is entirely new to your family.
But here’s the encouraging truth: thousands of Singapore students successfully navigate this process every year. They learn the test. They prepare strategically. They improve their scores. And they get accepted to excellent universities.
Your child can do this too.
The key is starting early, getting the right information, and building a realistic plan — not a panicked one.
You’ve already taken the first step by reading this guide. Now take the next one.
