To Write or Not to Write on the ACT?

Hey everyone, I've been really stressing over whether I should opt for the ACT with writing or the one without. I usually score quite well in writing, but I'm not sure if I should take the additional responsibility or not. Any thoughts or advice on this? Really appreciate any help!

From the admissions standpoint, the number of colleges requiring the ACT Writing has significantly fallen over the years. Currently, less than 1% of colleges require ACT Writing, and that number is expected to keep going down. Most colleges, however, do not require the writing portion of the ACT, and some even do not consider it even if you take it.

Keep in mind, the Writing section doesn’t factor into your composite score, which is the main score most colleges look at. Also, if you dislike writing under time pressure, the decision could be easier because the Writing test is the last section you'll take on the ACT, after working on the other sections for about three hours.

However, some scholarship applications may require ACT Writing scores, although these are also becoming less common. If you are eyeing a specific scholarship, I encourage you to look into whether the ACT Writing is required.

Lastly, if you decide to take the ACT with writing and you don't do as well as you'd hoped, keep in mind that colleges often value your personal statement and supplemental essays more than your ACT Writing score, as they are looking at your overall written communication skills. So, even if you don't score at the top, it doesn't mean you can't write a stellar essay.

Therefore, I'd suggest figuring out whether the schools and scholarships you're interested in require or recommend the ACT Writing section. If they don't, spending time and energy on preparation for this section might not be the most efficient use of your efforts.