Should I Take The Writing Portion Of The ACT?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You are applying to colleges that explicitly require or recommend an ACT Writing score, such as many selective universities or scholarship programs that list it as a criteria.
• Good fit: Your practice writing scores consistently exceed the benchmark (e.g., 10 or higher) and you feel comfortable allocating the extra 40 minutes without compromising the multiple‑choice sections.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You have limited test‑day stamina or a history of fatigue affecting performance, making the added writing time likely to lower your overall composite score.
• Warning sign: The colleges you plan to attend do not consider the ACT Writing score, so the extra cost (approximately $45) and preparation time provide little strategic advantage.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides an additional data point for admissions officers who value demonstrated writing ability, potentially strengthening your application.
• May qualify you for scholarships, honors programs, or course placements that list a minimum Writing score as a requirement.

Cons

• Increases test length, which can lead to fatigue and possibly lower scores on the other four sections.
• Incurs extra fees and requires additional preparation time that could be allocated to other academic or extracurricular priorities.

Decision Checklist

• Do the schools or programs you are targeting list ACT Writing as a required or recommended component?
• Have you achieved a practice Writing score that meets or exceeds typical acceptance thresholds?
• Can you sustain focus for the full 180‑minute test without a noticeable decline in performance on other sections?

Alternatives to Consider

If the Writing score is not essential, you could skip the ACT Writing and invest the saved time in strengthening your core ACT sections or preparing for SAT Subject Tests, AP exams, or a strong personal essay. Another option is to take the ACT without Writing and submit a separate writing portfolio or essay if a college permits it.

Final Recommendation

Take the ACT Writing portion if your target schools explicitly value it, you have a solid practice score, and you feel confident about managing the extra time. Otherwise, it may be wiser to forgo it, focus on the remaining sections, and explore alternative ways to showcase your writing ability. For high‑stakes admissions decisions, consult your school counselor or a college‑admissions advisor.