Should You Take the ACT Writing Section?
The ACT Writing section has been optional for years, and that hasn't changed under the Enhanced ACT. But with a $25 price tag and an additional 40 minutes of testing, is it worth adding? For most students, the answer is no — but there are exceptions.
What Is ACT Writing?
The Writing section is a 40-minute argumentative essay. You're given a prompt that presents a complex issue along with three distinct perspectives. Your task is to:
- Analyze and evaluate the three given perspectives
- Present and develop your own position
- Explain the relationship between your perspective and the others
How It's Scored
Two trained graders independently score your essay across four domains:
- Ideas and Analysis — depth and quality of your argument
- Development and Support — evidence and reasoning
- Organization — structure and flow
- Language Use and Conventions — grammar, vocabulary, and style
Each grader assigns a 1–6 score per domain. The domain scores are combined to produce a final Writing score on a 2–12 scale.
It is reported completely separately. Your Composite score (the one most colleges focus on) is based only on English, Math, and Reading.
Our Recommendation: Generally Skip It
For the majority of students, we do not recommend taking ACT Writing unless you have a specific reason to do so. Here's why:
- Very few colleges require it. Most institutions — including nearly all Ivy League schools — have made the Writing section optional.
- It costs $25 and adds 40 minutes to an already long testing day.
- It doesn't help your Composite score.
- Most merit scholarships don't consider it.
- If you take Writing and your scores take longer to release (essay grading adds approximately 2 weeks to the reporting timeline).
When You Should Consider It
Take the Writing section only if:
- One or more of your target colleges specifically requires ACT Writing
- A college you're applying to strongly recommends it (not just "accepts" or "considers")
- A specific scholarship application requires a Writing score
How to Check College Requirements
The most reliable way to find out if a college requires Writing:
- Visit the college's admissions or testing policy page directly
- Search for "[College Name] ACT Writing requirement"
- Contact the admissions office if the policy isn't clear
Don't assume — policies change from year to year. Always verify before your registration deadline.
If none of your target schools require Writing, there's no benefit to taking it. Spend that time and energy resting during the break or leaving the testing center earlier.