What Is the ACT Writing Test?
The ACT writing test is an optional 40-minute essay you take at the very end of an ACT exam. It evaluates the writing and analytical skills taught in high school English courses. You’re given a prompt about a real-world issue, presented with three different perspectives on it, and asked to write an argument defending your own point of view.
Heads up for 2026
The ACT has undergone significant changes. As of March 2026, The test is shorter (125 minutes for the core), the Science section is now optional (historically a required section), and both paper and digital formats are available. The writing section remains optional and continues as a 40-minute essay during this rollout. School-day testing transitions to the new format in spring 2026. Always check ACT’s official page for the latest updates.
ACT Writing Test (Quick Facts)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Is the ACT writing test required? |
No. Most colleges do not require it, though a small number of institutions may still request it |
How long is the ACT writing test? |
40 minutes |
Does it affect your composite score? |
No. The writing score is reported separately |
What is the ACT writing score range? |
2 – 12 |
What is the average ACT writing score? |
About 6.7, according to ACT national data |
Can you take the ACT writing test separately? |
No. It must be taken alongside the full ACT exam |
How much does the ACT writing test cost? |
$25 in addition to the standard ACT registration fee |
Should You Take the ACT Writing Test?
If none of your target colleges require ACT Writing, taking it adds cost, time, and fatigue with no admissions benefit. If a school on your list does require it, take it. If your college list is not yet finalized, consider taking it to keep your options open.
The decision tree is simple:
- Any school on your list requires it → take it
- College list not finalized → consider taking it
- No school requires it → skip it and invest that time in your composite score
Do Colleges Require the ACT Writing Test in 2026?
Very few colleges currently require or review the ACT writing test.
As of March 2026, Martin Luther College states that submitted ACT scores should include the ACT Writing Test. Because the wording uses “should” rather than “must,” applicants should verify directly with the admissions office before registering.
Older blog posts often list schools such as West Point, Soka University of America, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Molloy University, MIT, UNC-Chapel Hill, UVA, and the University of Michigan as requiring ACT Writing. Most major universities, including MIT, UNC-Chapel Hill, UVA, and Michigan, do not currently require the ACT Writing section under their admissions policies for the 2026 application cycle.
What about schools that say writing is “recommended”?
Treat “recommended” with caution. Unless a school explicitly states that the writing score is reviewed as part of admissions decisions, it is unlikely to carry meaningful weight. If you are weighing whether to submit standardized test scores at all, our guide on test-optional admissions covers what that really means for your application.
Is the ACT Writing Test Worth It?
The ACT Writing test carried more weight when many colleges required it. Today, very few schools consider the score. At colleges that do not review it, a strong writing score is unlikely to influence admissions. At the few schools that still evaluate it, a weak score could raise minor questions.
That said, it is worth it if:
- You have personally verified that a school on your college list requires or strongly expects ACT Writing
- Your college list is not finalized and you want to keep all options open
- You want the ELA score for scholarship purposes
For the majority of students who have confirmed their college list and none of those schools require writing, the $25 and extra 40 minutes are better invested in strengthening the composite score.
How Is the ACT Writing Test Scored?
According to ACT’s official scoring guidelines, your essay is evaluated across four domains, each scored on a 1–6 scale by two reviewers (or an automated scoring engine for high-confidence submissions). The four domain scores are averaged to produce your final 2–12 writing score. You can review the full breakdown in ACT’s official scoring rubric.
| Domain | What It Measures |
|---|---|
Ideas & Analysis |
How well you present your own opinion and analyze the perspectives provided in the prompt |
Development & Support |
The strength and persuasiveness of the arguments you make to support your position |
Organization |
Clarity and logic of your essay’s structure |
Language Use |
Vocabulary, sentence variety, and grammar |
Your writing score is also combined with your English and Reading scores to produce an ELA (English Language Arts) score. The ELA score is a secondary composite metric. Most colleges do not factor it into admissions decisions, but some merit scholarship programmes do consider it. If you are applying for scholarships, check whether ELA is listed as a criterion before deciding to skip writing.
What is a Good ACT Writing Test Score?
According to ACT’s official national rank data, the average writing score is 6.7. Here is how scores break down by percentile:
- 8: 87th percentile
- 9: 97th percentile
- 10: 99th percentile
- 11–12: Top 1% of all test-takers
A score of 9 or higher is considered strong by most admissions standards. For context on how your overall ACT score is evaluated, see our guide on what is a good ACT score.
ACT With Writing vs Without Writing
| ACT With Writing | ACT Without Writing | |
|---|---|---|
Core Test Time |
2 hrs 5 min (new format) |
2 hrs 5 min + 40 min essay |
Extra Cost |
None |
$25 more |
Sections |
English, Math, Reading (+ optional Science) |
+ 40-min Essay |
Composite Score |
English + Math + Reading average |
Same; essay does not change it |
Score Report |
Section scores + optional Science/STEM |
Section scores + Writing score (2 – 12) + ELA score |
Should You Take the ACT Writing Test? (Decision Guide)
Take it if:
- You have personally verified that a school on your college list requires or strongly expects ACT Writing
- Your college list is not yet finalised, so taking it keeps your options open
- You are applying to schools with a writing-heavy focus (journalism, liberal arts, English programmes) and want to demonstrate writing ability
- You are a confident writer and it could reinforce a strong English/Reading score
- You want the ELA score reported for merit scholarship consideration
Skip it if:
- None of your target schools require or recommend it
- You have already finalized your college list and writing is not required anywhere
- You are worried about test fatigue since 40 extra minutes after a full ACT is significant
- Your writing is a weaker skill and a low score could raise unnecessary concern
For most students, improving the composite score will have a greater impact on college applications than adding the ACT Writing Test.
Pros and Cons of Taking the ACT Writing Test
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Keeps college options open |
Costs $25 extra |
Fulfils requirements for the few schools that need it |
Adds 40 minutes to an already long test |
Generates an ELA score that some scholarships or programs may consider |
Adds testing fatigue at the end of the exam |
Provides an additional timed writing sample |
A very low score could raise questions at schools that review it |
The Final Word
The ACT writing test made more sense when colleges widely required it. In 2026, that is no longer the case for most students.
Verify your college list first. If no school requires it, skip the writing test and invest that time in what actually moves the needle. The composite score is what colleges see, what scholarships weigh, and what your prep time should target.
A good place to start is brushing up on ACT timing and pacing strategies or tackling the ACT Math section where composite score gains are most achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. According to ACT, the writing score (2–12) is reported completely separately. The composite is based only on English, Math, and Reading. Adding the writing section does not change your composite in any direction.
Very few do. After the SAT discontinued its essay in 2021, most colleges dropped their ACT writing requirements. As of March 2026, only a small number of institutions still require or strongly expect it. Always verify on each school’s official admissions page.
According to ACT national data, the average writing score is 6.7. A score of 9 places you at the 97th percentile.
A 7 is slightly above the national average of 6.7, reflecting solid writing ability. That said, a 7 is unlikely to stand out at selective colleges. If the writing score is being reviewed at all, aim for an 8 or above to be competitive.
The ELA score combines your English, Reading, and Writing scores into a single metric. Most colleges do not use it in admissions decisions. However, some merit scholarship programs specifically list ELA as a criterion. If scholarships are a factor, check whether any on your list reference ELA before deciding to skip writing.
Your writing score is reported separately each time. ACT superscoring applies to composite section scores only (English, Math, Reading) and not to the writing score, which most schools do not factor into superscoring decisions.
Under the new format, the core ACT is approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Adding the writing section brings it to roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The ACT Writing test has not been discontinued. It remains an optional 40-minute essay in the 2026 format. However, its relevance has declined significantly because most colleges no longer require it for admission.
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