Institutional ACT

https://www.utep.edu/student-affairs/admissions/admission-info/freshman.htmlThe American College Test (ACT) - Institutional is used to evaluate the verbal, mathematical, reading and science skills of prospective UTEP students whose education was completed in English.

The Institutional ACT is only valid at UTEP. If you are planning to attend another institution, please read the information for the National ACT test.

Who is expected to take the Institutional ACT?

Students who graduated from a Texas high school or an out-of-state high school may take the Institutional ACT to be considered for admission at UTEP. Please refer to undergraduate pathways to admissions for additional information about admissions requirements.

Students may also use the Institutional ACT for scholarship purposes. See all available scholarship opportunities and requirements here.

Please make sure that you check with the Office of Admissions before taking this test, there are no refunds.

Payment and Registration

Determine if you need to take the test

You must apply for admission before taking the test (apply through ApplyTexas).

Talk with an Admissions Counselor the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to determine if you need to take the test.

THE TEST FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE.

Note: A non-refundable convenience fee of $3.50 will be applied for online payments.

To avoid the convenience fee, you may register in-person at the Testing Office. Payment
may be made in the Testing Office using exact cash ONLY.

Day of the Test

• LOCATION:
  • The Student Assessment & Testing Office is located in the UTEP Library 4th floor room 401.
    • You will need to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the test.
    • You will be required to present an official UNEXPIRED identification card with a current photo.
    • Acceptable forms of identification include:
      • U.S. Driver’s License
      • High School Identification Card (must be in hard plastic card format. Paper or electronic formats are NOT acceptable)
      • UTEP Identification Card
      • U.S. Department of Public Safety Identification Card
      • U.S. Military Identification Card
      • U.S. Alien Registration Card

      Test Schedule

      To view available test dates, click HERE.

      Scores

      Scores will be available for students about 20 minutes after completion of the test. Please allow 24-48 hours for the scores to be in the UTEP system.

      To determine the scores on each of the four tests, the total score is based on the number of questions that are answered correctly. No points are deducted for incorrect answers. The scale scores range from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest) for each of the four tests and for the composite. The composite is the average of the four test scores.

      The Office of Admission and Recruitment uses the ACT scores, in conjunction with other pertinent information, to make a decision on an individual’s admission status. For minimum score requirements, please refer to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

      Test Length

      The test takes approximately 3 ½ hours. There are four multiple-choice sections: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning.

      The Institutional ACT consists of one English 45-minute section with 75 questions. This portion measures the examinees understanding of the conventions of standard written English (punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure) and rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style). Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar are not tested.

      There is one 60-minute math section with 60 questions. Calculator use permitted only for this section (please bring your own). The Math portion of the exam tests the knowledge of basic formulas and computational skill are assumed as background for the problems, but complex formulas and extensive computation are not required.

      There is one 35-minute reading section with 40 questions. The test questions ask you to derive meaning from several texts by (1) referring to what is explicitly stated and (2) reasoning to determine implicit meanings.

      There is one 35-minute Science Reasoning section with 40 questions. This portion measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skill required in the natural sciences. The Essay and Reading section of the ACT test is presently not required at UTEP.

      Retake Policy

      There is a 60 day waiting period to retake the institutional ACT.

      Resources

      Study Guides available at local bookstores and the UTEP bookstore.

      PROHIBITED ITEMS

      FOOD, DRINKS, HATS, MECHANICAL PENCILS, ALL TYPES OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ALL TYPES OF WATCHES, AND CONCEALED HANDGUNS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE TEST ROOM