Should I Take ACT With Writing?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You are applying to colleges that explicitly require or strongly recommend an ACT Writing score, and a strong writing sample could enhance your admission profile.
• Good fit: You have solid English composition skills and feel confident you can earn a competitive Writing score without sacrificing performance on the other sections.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your target schools do not consider the ACT Writing score, and adding the section would increase test length, fatigue, and registration fees.
• Warning sign: You struggle with timed essays or have limited preparation time, making the extra writing task a potential drag on overall scores.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides an additional quantitative metric that some colleges use to differentiate applicants.
• Helps you practice timed essay writing, a skill useful for college coursework and future standardized tests.

Cons

• Increases registration cost (typically an extra $30‑$45) and total testing time by 40 minutes.
• May cause fatigue that negatively impacts performance on the Science and Math sections if you are not well‑rested.

Decision Checklist

• Do the colleges you’re applying to require or value an ACT Writing score?
• Are you comfortable writing a clear, organized essay under a 40‑minute deadline?
• Can you budget the additional fee and allocate enough study time for the writing component?

Alternatives to Consider

If the Writing score isn’t required, you might opt to take the ACT without the essay and submit a separate writing portfolio or use the SAT with Essay (if still offered). Some schools also accept AP English Language scores as evidence of writing ability, which can be a lower‑risk way to showcase your skills.

Final Recommendation

Take the ACT with Writing if your prospective colleges list it as a requirement or if you have strong essay skills that can add a competitive edge. Otherwise, weigh the extra cost and time against the limited benefit and consider alternative ways to demonstrate writing proficiency. For high‑stakes decisions—especially when scholarship eligibility is involved—consult a college admissions counselor or academic advisor.