PreACT and ACT Test Scores Associated with AP Exam Success. ACT Research & Policy. Data Byte

Many schools, districts, and states administer the PreACT® and/or the ACT® test to measure readiness for college and careers. A recent study suggests that these test scores can also be used to help identify students who are academically prepared and may benefit from some of the more rigorous courses offered in high schools across the nation, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The purpose of this brief is to highlight the PreACT and ACT AP-ready scores found in the study. The most common use cases would be using: (1) PreACT 8/9 tests administered in grades 8 or 9 to measure readiness for AP courses taken in grades 9 or 10; (2) PreACT tests taken in grade 10 to measure readiness for AP courses taken in grade 11; and (3) ACT tests taken in grades 10 or 11 to measure readiness for AP courses taken in grades 11 or 12. The study found that PreACT and ACT test scores are positively related to AP exam scores and are good predictors of success.