The ACT

ACT prep, section by section

A guide to every part of the ACT — what each section asks, how its reporting categories are weighted, how to pace yourself, and exactly what to bring on the day — plus personalized coaching built around your target score.

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  • Category-by-category weighting
  • Pacing and strategy
  • Test-day checklist
3

Required sections

2

Optional sections

131

Required questions

125

Minutes of testing

ACT overview

The ACT at a glance

Three required multiple-choice sections — English, Mathematics and Reading — plus two optional ones, Science and Writing. Some colleges accept or require the optional scores, so check your target schools before you register.

ACT sections with question counts and timing
SectionQuestionsScoredMinutes
English5040 scored35
Mathematics4541 scored50
Reading3627 scored40
ScienceOptional4034 scored40
WritingOptional1 essay—40

Every question counts, as far as you can tell. Each multiple-choice section includes a small number of unscored, unlabeled field-test questions used to trial future test content. Since you can't tell which ones they are, treat all of them as if they count.

Section guides

What each section actually asks

ACT reports a score for every section plus a score for each of its reporting categories, and publishes how much of the section each category is worth. Matching your study time to those shares is ACT's own first piece of preparation advice.

Tap a section to see its reporting categories and weighting.

Four scores: one overall English score plus three reporting-category scores.

Reporting categories

Production of Writing
38–43%

Understanding a text’s purpose and focus. Covers Topic Development (whether a text or part of a text achieves its intended goal, and whether material is relevant to that goal) and Organization, Unity, and Cohesion (logical structure, smooth flow, effective openings and closings).

Knowledge of Language
18–23%

Precise, concise word choice, and consistency of style and tone throughout a piece of writing.

Conventions of Standard English
38–43%

Grammar, usage and mechanics. Covers Sentence Structure and Formation, Punctuation, and Usage.

Nine scores: one overall Mathematics score plus eight reporting-category scores.

Reporting categories

Preparing for Higher Math
80%

The bulk of the section, published as five subcategories.

Number and Quantity
10–12%

Real and complex number systems; expressions with integer and rational exponents; vectors and matrices.

Algebra
17–20%

Solving, graphing and modeling linear, polynomial, radical and exponential relationships; systems of equations, including matrix form; real-world applications.

Functions
17–20%

Definition, notation and representation of functions (linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic); manipulating, translating and interpreting graphs.

Geometry
17–20%

Congruence, similarity, surface area and volume, composite figures, triangles, circles, trigonometric ratios and conic sections.

Statistics and Probability
12–15%

Center and spread of distributions, data collection methods, bivariate relationships, probability from sample spaces.

Integrating Essential Skills
20%

Synthesizing knowledge to solve more complex, multi-step problems involving rates and percentages, proportional relationships, area, surface area and volume, average and median, and different ways of expressing numbers.

Modeling

A cross-cutting category with no separate percentage: questions that involve producing, interpreting, evaluating or improving mathematical models. Each such question is also counted under one of the categories above, so this simply measures modeling skill across topics.

Four scores: one overall Reading score plus three reporting-category scores.

Reporting categories

Key Ideas and Details
44–52%

Identifying central ideas and themes, summarizing accurately, drawing logical inferences, and recognizing sequential, comparative and cause-effect relationships.

Craft and Structure
26–33%

Word and phrase meaning, an author’s rhetorical choices, text structure, purpose and perspective, characters’ points of view, and comparing different perspectives or sources.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
19–26%

Understanding an author’s claims, distinguishing fact from opinion, connecting related texts with evidence, and evaluating how arguments are constructed and supported.

Four scores: one overall Science score plus three reporting-category scores.

Reporting categories

Interpretation of Data
38–50%

Reading and manipulating data in tables, graphs and diagrams — spotting trends, converting tabular data into graphs, interpolating and extrapolating, and reasoning mathematically about it.

Scientific Investigation
18–32%

Understanding experimental tools, procedures and design (including controls and variables), and reasoning about how an experiment could be extended or modified.

Evaluation of Scientific Arguments and Models with Evidence
24–38%

Judging the validity of scientific claims and forming conclusions or predictions from evidence — for example, deciding which explanation for a phenomenon is best supported by new findings.

Passage formats

Data Representation
26–32%

Graphic and tabular material similar to a science journal. Tests reading relationships in data, and translating between tables and graphs.

Research Summaries
50–56%

Descriptions and results of one or more related experiments, focused on experimental design and interpreting results.

Conflicting Viewpoints
18–21%

Two or more competing explanations for the same phenomenon, based on differing premises or incomplete data. Tests understanding and comparison of the viewpoints.

Five scores: a subject-level writing score on a 2–12 scale (the rounded average of the four domains) plus the four analytic domain scores.

Scoring domains

Ideas and Analysis

Engaging critically with multiple perspectives, understanding the issue, purpose and audience, and generating relevant ideas.

Development and Support

Explaining and illustrating ideas with sound reasoning and meaningful examples.

Organization

Arranging the essay so the relationship between ideas is clear and the reader is guided through the argument.

Language Use and Conventions

Clarity of expression, control of grammar, syntax and mechanics, and awareness of audience, style and tone.

The Writing score does not affect your Composite score or any multiple-choice section score.

Test-taking strategies

How to work the test

ACT's own advice, grouped by when it applies. The pacing rules matter most: you can't return to a section once time is called on it, so leftover minutes have to be spent inside the section you're in.

Before test day

Know the content

Review which content areas make up the largest share of each section, so your study time matches how the test is actually weighted.

Refresh what's rusty

Revisit topics you've studied before but haven't used recently, especially ones that carry a large share of a section's questions.

Fill real gaps

If an entire content area feels unfamiliar, consider coursework or targeted study in that area before test day.

During the multiple-choice sections

Pace yourself

Estimate how much time you'll spend reading passages or instructions, then divide the remaining time by the number of questions to set a per-question target.

Don't stall

If you're unsure how to solve something, make your best guess, flag it and move on — come back if time allows.

Read the directions once, carefully

Do this before test day if possible, so you're not spending test time on it.

Know what each section is asking for

English, Reading and Science ask for the best answer among the choices. Math asks for the correct answer — work it out yourself, then match it to a choice.

Answer easy questions first

Skip harder ones on your first pass and return to them afterward.

Use elimination on hard questions

Compare answer choices, rule out what you can, and make an educated guess from what is left.

Answer every question

There's no penalty for guessing, so an educated guess always beats a blank.

Review if time remains

You can't return to a section once time is called on it, so use any leftover time within the section itself.

If testing on paper

Fill in your answer precisely

Marks that extend beyond the intended oval can be scored as incorrect.

If you change an answer, erase completely

Cross-outs or correction fluid and tape can cause scoring errors.

Test day essentials

Your ACT test-day checklist

Report to your assigned test center by the time on your admission ticket, usually 8:00 a.m. Late arrivals are not admitted, so allow extra time if you're unfamiliar with the location.

Bring

  • Printed admission ticket
  • Acceptable photo ID
  • Sharpened No. 2 pencils and good erasers
  • A watch or timing device without an alarm
  • A permitted calculator, if you plan to use one (not required)
  • An approved word-to-word bilingual dictionary, if you are an English Learner student
  • Snacks and drinks for the break, consumed outside the test room

Do not bring

  • Textbooks, notes or dictionaries, unless approved for translation
  • Highlighters, colored pens or pencils, correction fluid or tape
  • Any electronic device other than a permitted calculator
  • Reading material
  • Mechanical pencils or pens for answering

In the test room

  • Only pencils, erasers, a permitted calculator, your watch and your ticket may stay on your desk — everything else gets put away.
  • You may not leave the test room once admitted, and you must follow all directions read by test staff.

Estimated dismissal

English, Math and Reading only
11:00–11:15 a.m.
Plus Science or Writing
12:00–12:15 p.m.
Plus both Science and Writing
12:45–1:00 p.m.

After testing

  • If you leave before completing all sections, tell test staff whether you want your test scored — if you do not, it will be scored by default.
  • ACT reports a superscore for students who test more than once, letting colleges consider your best scores across administrations.
  • You may not receive scores from more than one test taken during a scheduled test date.
  • On select test dates you can order, for a fee, a copy of your multiple-choice questions, your answers and the answer key.

ACT with KollegePrep

Coaching to your target score

The ACT rewards pacing as much as content: most students lose marks to the clock rather than to the material. Good tutoring works on both — the reporting categories that carry the most weight, and the per-question rhythm each section demands.

Personalized sessions

Built around your target score and the sections you are actually sitting.

Experienced teachers

Educators who make sure you understand concepts deeply and perform your best on test day.

Regular assignments

Practice after each reporting category, so no part of a section is left untouched.

Monthly assessments

Tests and feedback sessions that track progress and keep parents informed.

Recorded lectures

Revisit any concept at your own pace, as often as you need.

Pacing practice

Per-question targets for each section, drilled until the rhythm is automatic.

Tell us your test date and whether you are taking Science or Writing. We will plan sessions around the sections you are actually sitting and the score you are aiming for.

Message us

FAQ

ACT questions, answered

Three required multiple-choice sections — English (50 questions, 35 minutes), Mathematics (45 questions, 50 minutes) and Reading (36 questions, 40 minutes) — plus two optional sections, Science (40 questions, 40 minutes) and Writing (one essay, 40 minutes). Some colleges accept or require ACT Science or Writing scores, so it is worth checking whether your target schools expect them before you register.

The three required sections total 125 minutes of testing. Adding Science or Writing brings it to 165 minutes, and adding both brings it to 205 minutes. Estimated dismissal is 11:00 to 11:15 a.m. for English, Math and Reading only; 12:00 to 12:15 p.m. if you add one optional section; and 12:45 to 1:00 p.m. if you add both.

Each multiple-choice section includes a small number of unscored, unlabeled field-test questions that ACT uses to trial future test content. English presents 50 questions but scores 40, Mathematics presents 45 and scores 41, Reading presents 36 and scores 27, and Science presents 40 and scores 34. You cannot tell which questions are which, so treat every one as if it counts.

It depends on your target colleges. Both are optional, and the Writing score does not affect your Composite score or any multiple-choice section score. Some colleges accept or require one or both, so check each school on your list before you register — adding a section also extends your test day by about 40 minutes each.

No. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so an educated guess always beats a blank. ACT’s own advice is to eliminate what you can, guess from what is left, and answer every question. Note that you cannot return to a section once time is called on it, so use any leftover time within that section rather than saving it.

You may use a permitted calculator on the Mathematics section, though it is not required — the test assumes computational fluency rather than heavy computation. Some models and features are restricted, so check the official ACT calculator policy before test day. A calculator is not permitted on the Science section.

If you test more than once, ACT reports a superscore that lets colleges consider your best scores across administrations. Note that you may not receive scores from more than one test taken during a single scheduled test date.

Your printed admission ticket, acceptable photo ID, sharpened No. 2 pencils with good erasers, a watch or timing device without an alarm, a permitted calculator if you plan to use one, and snacks or drinks for the break (consumed outside the test room). Leave behind textbooks, notes, highlighters, colored pens, correction fluid, reading material, mechanical pencils or pens for answering, and any electronic device other than a permitted calculator. Report to your assigned test center by the time on your ticket, usually 8:00 a.m. — late arrivals are not admitted.

Within each section the published ranges differ a lot. In English, Production of Writing and Conventions of Standard English each carry 38 to 43%. In Mathematics, Preparing for Higher Math is 80% of the section. In Reading, Key Ideas and Details is 44 to 52%. In Science, Interpretation of Data is 38 to 50%, and by passage format Research Summaries account for 50 to 56%. Matching your study time to those shares is ACT’s own first piece of preparation advice.

Through personalized sessions built around your target score and the sections you are actually sitting, taught by experienced teachers. Regular assignments reinforce each reporting category, monthly assessments and feedback sessions track progress and keep parents informed, and recorded lectures let you revisit concepts at your own pace. Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry with your test date and whether you are taking Science or Writing.

Ready to raise your ACT score?

Send us your test date and target score. We will talk through where you are now, which sections to prioritize, and whether Science and Writing are worth adding for your colleges.

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All five sections · Pacing practice · Test-day preparation