What is the ACT test?
The ACT is a standardized admissions exam used by colleges and universities to assess high school students’ readiness for college-level education. ACT scores supplement high school records to help college admissions officers understand each student’s suitability for their preferred college course. The use of standardized tests for college admissions is on the decline with just 4% of colleges now requiring them, but some states and school districts require high school students to take the ACT to assess student learning outcomes and overall school performance.
What is ACT test content?
The first step in ACT test prep is understanding what to expect from the exam. The ACT test is a multiple-choice exam and it’s divided into four sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science. There’s also an optional Writing test in which students write an original essay based on a prompt related to a broad social issue.
The English test requires careful examination of five written passages in need of correction and improvement. The Math section covers a variety of topics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The Reading section requires students to interpret meaning and identify details from four text passages. The Science section asks students to read six to seven passages and interpret data or hypotheses from them.
How long is the ACT?
The ACT is 3 hours and 5 minutes long, or 3 hours and 50 minutes long with the Writing section. Some sections are longer than others, and there are one or two breaks throughout to help students stay focused. The timing is as follows:
| Section | Timing | Number of questions |
| English | 45 minutes | 75 |
| Math | 60 minutes | 60 |
| Break | 10 minutes | N/A |
| Reading | 35 minutes | 40 |
| Science | 35 minutes | 40 |
| Break (if completing Writing section) | 5 minutes | N/A |
| Writing (optional) | 40 minutes | 1 prompt |
How is the ACT scored?
Each ACT section is scored on a scale of 1-36, and the average of these scores determines your ACT composite score, which is also on a scale of 1-36. Scores are calculated based on the number of correct answers, and no deductions are made for incorrect answers.
The optional Writing section of the ACT is scored separately on a scale of 2-12. Your Writing score does not affect your ACT composite score.
When you receive your ACT score report, you’ll also see an ELA score and a STEM score. The ELA (English Language Arts) score is the average of your scores for English, Reading, and Writing (if applicable). The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) score is the average of your Math and Science scores. The ELA and STEM scores can help admissions officers understand how prepared you are for specific college courses.
Which test is easier: SAT or ACT?
The SAT is an alternative to the ACT, and most colleges are happy to accept either. Neither test is easier than the other. The SAT includes two math sections (Calculator and No Calculator) and doesn’t have a science section, so if you have very strong math skills, you might be better suited to the SAT than the ACT. If you’re planning to do a STEM college course, a good STEM score on the ACT could be helpful for your application.
If you’re not sure which test you’re better suited to, you might find it helpful to complete some SAT and ACT prep questions. You can then learn how to score SAT practice test results and ACT practice test results to determine which test is likely to give you a better overall score.
How to study for the ACT
The ACT is informed by the national curriculum, but its format could be very different from the typical tests and exams you take in school, and you might have to adjust your usual study strategy. Here are five useful tips to help you learn how to prepare for ACT test success.
1. Use an ACT study guide
A great way to figure out what to study for the ACT is to use a guide. Each year the ACT releases their Official ACT Prep Guide and accompanying subject guides. The prep guide includes practical tips to help you pass ACT exams successfully and eight practice tests which follow the format of the real exam. When you buy the ACT guide, you also get access to additional online flashcards to help you study.
2. Start with an ACT prep test to see where you’re at
It’s normal to have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to individual sections of the ACT. A good way to highlight them is by taking a practice test right at the start of your studies. Keep a note of your scores so that you can measure your progress as you go along.
3. Dedicate more study time to your weak subjects
If you don’t know how to study for ACT success for one section of the exam, make sure to dedicate more time to that subject. The ACT’s official subject guides outline key concepts of each subject in detail and explain how to prepare for the ACT section by section. This can really help to boost your confidence in your weakest areas.
4. Keep practicing with prep tests and questions
As you get close to test day, the best way to study for the ACT is by completing as many practice tests as possible. Not only does this help you test your knowledge, but it also gives you plenty of time to get used to the format of the test. When you sit down to take the real test, you’re bound to feel more confident when you see text passages and questions laid out in a familiar way.
5. Practice time management
It’s important to practice pacing when doing ACT test preparation so that you leave yourself enough time to answer all questions in each section. The average amount of time you have to answer individual questions in each section is as follows:
- English — 36 seconds
- Math — 60 seconds
- Reading — 53 seconds
- Science — 53 seconds
Keep in mind that you might spend several minutes at the start of each section reading through the passages before answering the questions, which will reduce the amount of time to answer each question. Be sure to complete some ACT prep tests under timed conditions to practice your time management.
How can a student prepare for the ACT for free?
You can find many resources for ACT prep free online if you have a limited budget. The ACT has a free test guide available to download from their website. It also has a series of free practice questions which you can complete online and get immediate answers to. If you are still looking for more variety, you can study ACT practice materials on Studocu that have been shared by students from many past years.
Another great way to prepare for the ACT for free is to organize a study group with friends where you can share the notes and resources you are finding useful and then quiz each other. Or if you prefer to be an independent studier, you can generate quizzes directly in our documents. You will need to first register, but don’t worry it’s free!
If you do find during your ACT prep that you are getting stuck on some concepts, you can also ask AI for help which can be incredibly handy for nailing down a topic.
ACT study tips for the day of your test
After dedicating hours of your time to study for ACT test day, it’s important to know how to take care of yourself in the last few hours before the exam. Here’s how to how to prepare for ACT test day when it finally comes around:
- Wear light layers so you can stay comfortable no matter the temperature of the test room.
- Eat a balanced breakfast that follows your typical morning routine as much as possible.
- Avoid last-minute studying, which could make you feel overwhelmed and drain your energy.
- Read a book, newspaper, or magazine to get your brain working.
- Arrive at the test site early in case there are delays in signing in.
- Bring your test admission ticket, your photo ID, sharpened number 2 pencils, erasers, a watch, a calculator, and a snack for the break.
- Leave your cell phone and any other electronic devices at home or in your car.
Consistency is key to ACT preparation
The best way to study for ACT success is slowly and consistently. Most people start studying between eight and twelve weeks before test day to feel adequately prepared. It’s helpful to schedule ACT study hours into your daily or weekly routine so that you can make steady progress and go into the exam with confidence.