The ACT test is another standardized exam for undergraduate admissions that is equally accepted by all universities in the United States and many international institutions. This test consists of four academic sections (plus an optional writing section), one of which is dedicated to mathematics.

The mathematics section of the ACT consists of sixty multiple-choice questions that must be answered within sixty minutes. The questions cover topics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics and probability, and they generally encompass material up to the end of 11th grade in high school. The use of calculators is permitted in this section, and the difficulty of the questions typically increases as the test progresses.

Scoring for the ACT is done on a scale of 1 to 36 for each section (mathematics, English, reading, and science), and the overall ACT score is the average of the four section scores, also calculated on the same scale. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. A mathematics score above thirty (out of thirty-six) is considered strong, and a perfect score of thirty-six is very rare. Top universities usually look for overall scores in the mid-thirties for competitive applicants.

ACT scores are accepted as a substitute for SAT scores at universities in the United States and are also recognized by many global universities (some universities in the UK and Canada, especially for applicants with American curricula, consider it). Like the SAT, both mathematics and overall ACT scores play a significant role in admissions decisions and scholarship opportunities.

Students can choose between these two tests, as universities do not give preference to either. The mathematics sections of the SAT and ACT are slightly different (the ACT allows the use of calculators throughout the test and includes a broader range of geometry and trigonometry topics). Some Iranian applicants take both tests to increase their chances, but the SAT is still more widely recognized. Both tests are highly important for Iranian students seeking undergraduate programs abroad.