I am going to be a junior in August. When should I take the ACT for the first time and how many times should I take it?
Will it look bad to colleges if I only take it once or twice even if my scores are good?
@ashley424 Don’t overthink this. 
If you somehow got a 36 on the ACT, would you take it again? My D17 took it twice and got into her ED school.
I’m going to sign my D19 up for the June and September ACTs, but she ha-a-a-a-ates standardized tests. If you have more of an affinity for them, consider taking it earlier to get it out of the way. Look at Khan videos and bug the big red ACT book to prep. Good luck!
@ashley424 -The less times you take the ACT the better. Have you taken a practice test yet? Do you have a study plan, are you using a tutor or taking a class in order to prepare? I would take it no later than February, 2018 for the 1st time. If you have studied, you can always take it earlier.
what is your level of Math? have you finished Algebra 2?