Most students in Utah take the ACT test in their junior year of high school. While not required by all colleges, the ACT may help you gain scholarships. Some colleges look at a combination of ACT scores and your GPA. Taking the ACT more than once in high school may improve your score and help you pay for college.
Utah is one of 12 states that administer a free ACT test to high school juniors 
Juniors should check with your school to see how and when the ACT test is being administered 
Summer is a great time for seniors to make a list of the colleges they are interested in applying to 
Utah colleges, including BYU and Westminster, now offer virtual tours
The good news about the ACT, which stands for American College Testing, is that Utah is one of 12 states that administer the test to all 11th grade students. This means that in addition to being mandatory, the tests are free for all students. College entrance exams like the ACT are typically taken by high school students in 11th and 12th grade. While the ACT is offered on specific dates throughout the school year, the state-administered ACT test is given to all juniors in a high school on a specific date. These tests take place in spring, and cover reading, English (grammar and usage), math, and science subtests, and may include writing. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, some juniors missed out on taking the state administered ACT test at their high school this spring. Since every school district is different, check with your school on how to make up the ACT. For example, Granite School District is providing vouchers for current 11th grade students to take the ACT later this year at no cost. Tests such as the ACT are helpful since they are one way to see if a student is ready for college-level courses. Tests like these assess critical thinking, problem solving, reading, and higher-level thinking skills used in college and beyond. College entrance tests like the ACT are required by some schools for admittance. They may also be used to award merit-based scholarships. Since it is important to know the specific requirements of colleges that you are interested in, we have gathered that information here for Utah colleges.
Open Enrollment There is no minimum GPA and ACT/SAT score requirement to be accepted.
Some students may be asked to submit scores or alternative documents for scholarships etc.
Southern Utah University
Utah State University (optional for admisson of high school seniors and transfer students)
Holistic Review Process Consider all aspects of student achievement, including: GPA, ACT scores, class rigor, extracurriculars, leadership roles, personal circumstances, essays, and recommendations
Brigham Young University
University of Utah (optional for admisson of high school seniors and transfer students)
Westminster College
As the class of 2021 prepares to start the summer, planning for senior success should be a priority. Now is the time to start a list of admissions dates, deadlines, and scholarship requirements for the colleges you are interested in. While admissions deadlines vary, it is best to apply for college as early as you can—October or November of your senior year in high school. That way you get the best opportunities for early admission and scholarship funding.
