ACT Test Overview
The ACT Test is a standardized exam that is used by U.S. colleges in their admissions process. The ACT Test serves a similar function to the SAT in that both are used by colleges and universities as a factor in admissions.
The ACT Test is meant to measure a high school student’s readiness for college. The ACT Test consists of multiple choice questions in the areas of: English, mathematics, reading, and science. There is also an ACT Plus Writing Test which is a thirty minute essay test that evaluates your writing skills. The ACT Writing Test is required by some colleges and optional for others.
ACT Test Scores range from 1 to 36 for each of the sections. There are six ACT Test Dates for the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories.
ACT Test Format
The ACT Exam consists of a total of 215 questions. You are given a total of 175 minutes to complete the test. The table below lists the sections of the test in more detail.
| Section |
Time Limit |
Number of Questions |
Summary |
| ACT English | 45 minutes | 75 questions | Covers: punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence structure. Also tests your rhetorical skills in: strategy, organization, and style. |
| ACT Math | 60 minutes | 60 questions | Covers basic mathematical skills that are typical for a student at the end of 11th grade. You will be tested on: pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry and trigonometry |
| ACT Reading | 35 minutes | 40 questions | Evaluates your reading comprehension. You will be given four passages and use your referring and reasoning skills to: identify main ideas, locate important details, understand sequences of events and make comparisons. |
| ACT Science | 35 minutes | 40 questions | Measures your skills in the natural sciences. You will be evaluated on interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem solving. |
To help prepare for the exam, you should try our Free ACT Practice Tests.
