College-bound high school students who need to take an entrance exam have two chances to register for the ACT before the October 27, 2001 test date. The postmark registration deadline is Friday, September 21. The late registration deadline is October 5 (an additional fee is required for late registration). Students can get information from their school counselor or register online at www.act.org.

ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges in the nation, including all Ivy League schools. The test fee is $24 ($27 in Florida). A student's ACT scores are considered by colleges, along with several other important factors, for admissions and course placement. Other factors include high school GPA, college prep courses taken in high school, extracurricular activities, personal background and other information.

ACT's website has helpful information such as test locations, sample tests and the opportunity to order test prep materials. The ACT is given nationwide and is taken by more than one million high school graduates each year.