What is Interest-Major Fit?
Interest-Major Fit scores measure the strength of the relationship between the student’s ACT Interest Inventory results and interests of students in a given major. Students can take the ACT Interest Inventory when registering for the ACT test, or on ACT Profile. Interest profiles for students in various majors are based on a national sample of undergraduate students with a declared major and a GPA of at least 2.0. Major is determined in the third year for students in four-year colleges and in the second year for students in two-year colleges.
How is Interest-Major Fit measured?
ACT’s Interest-Major Fit score is derived from two pieces of data collected during ACT registration:
- A student’s ACT Interest Inventory results
- A student’s self-reported intended major
Why does Interest-Major Fit matter?
Evidence is accumulating that the fit between students’ interests and their college majors are important in understanding and predicting student outcomes. Research at ACT and elsewhere suggests that if students’ measured interests are similar to the interests of people in their chosen college majors, they will be more likely to:
1. Remain in their major
2. Persist in college
3. Complete a college degree in a timely manner
