There are many questions surrounding standardized tests like the ACT and most of the time, these are only supplied with hearsays—making it harder for parents and students not to get caught up while they are navigating the college admissions process. That is why, from awesomescores.com, here are some of the honest-to-goodness facts about the ins and outs of ACT:

Myth #1: Taking the ACT on a less-popular test date can mean scoring higher based on the competition.

The reality: Because fewer students register for these dates and the competition is weaker, many believe that taking the ACT on an off-peak test date can mean higher chances of acing the exam.  However, the reality is that students are not graded against just the students from that test date but against all students who took the test during the previous year.

Myth #2: ACT score is the most important factor of a student’s application that colleges consider.

The reality: Due to the fact that it shows one’s academic prowess, ACT is also a huge determining factor for various college admissions. However, grades in academic coursework and participation in extracurricular activities also weigh heavily in one’s application.  Performance in standardized tests is only the first hurdle, and you still have to be a strong applicant after those are considered.

Myth #3: Certain ACTs are easier than others.

The reality: The ACT is carefully designed to be uniform across all test administrations. Any variation in difficulty between test dates is unintentional and purely based on test-taker perceptions.

Myth #4: Students can take the ACT as many times as possible because they’ve got nothing to lose.

The reality: Sure, you’ve got nothing to lose—except the time and money which you spent during the registration and preparation. From practicing and reviewing your numbers and grammar, taking the ACT over and over again can probably make even the most studious student sick. Hence it is recommended that you take the test not more than twice.

The key is to set aside time to thoroughly prepare for the ACT with the intention of scoring well the first time around. If you are not satisfied with your score and believe you can improve your performance by taking the test a second time, then go for it. However taking it more than thrice can affect your focus on other activities that could weigh in in your college application or interests.