<p>If I remember correctly I think the guidance office at my D’s high school said that the “free” ACTs that juniors take is the result of a federal grant. I am not sure what it takes to quality for a state to qualify for these “grants” but it might have to do with the percent of rural school districts within the state. In MT I think that would be 100% of school districts!</p>
<p>As to the original question the answer is actually in two parts. First, ACT 's position with colleges is that they should not superscore the test because doing so does not accurately reflect the student’s ability. As to the SAT, College Board takes a neutral position on whether colleges should superscore. Colleges get to decide what they do but ACT’s position discourages the practice while CB’s does not. Second, whenever you order ACT to send a test, it sends only the one test ordered. Thus, to send multiple tests to a college is costly. That further discourages the superscore practice by colleges.College Board, on the other hand, sends all scores for one price.</p>
<p>@OHMomof2 - Not necessarily. We had to fill out the registration manually beforehand, which meant we were able to designate four colleges to send our scores to for free, just like when one registers online and designates four colleges to receive scores, then. We were the pilot year for our state, so it was pretty great to have this opportunity. And yes, it counts just as normal ones do for colleges. The state test date and scores even shows up on one’s ACT account online alongside all other test dates taken.</p>
<p>And for those discussing the state administered tests, there are now 15 states that use the ACT to comply with no child left behind laws. Federal funding is available for the states overal compliance with the laws but that includes all programs including testing in grade school. As to the extent the ACT test for high school student is covered, it is only partly. Illinois, a state with severe financial problems which has long used the ACT as the required test for state evaluations, actually canceled the writing section of the test a few years ago because the funding it had left could not pay for that extra portion of the test. It has since reinstated the writing section. </p>
<p>Those state administered tests are given on different days than the national tests. They are treated exactly the same as national tests for college admissions. They, like other tests, are part of the pool of many tests that ACT has and has used over the years. Contrary to what many may think, what you score on the tests is not dependent on the group with which you are taking the tests. What you will score per number correct is predetermined based on historical scores on the tests during the years before the year you take the test. in other words, your score is determined by comparing you to prior test takers, not the ones you are testing with.</p>