 The standards are empirically derived descriptions of the essential skills and knowledge students need to become ready for college and career.ACT also publishes the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks.The benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses.