The ACT Syllabus: What’s On The Test and How To Ace It

The ACT is not a normal test. Let’s get that out of the way right now, because if you want to earn a high score, you need to keep the nature of the test at the front of your mind. In a normal, everyday academic subject test, you’re facing limited amounts of information about a specific subject. But the ACT is designed to assess how prepared students are for college level coursework by evaluating skills that develop over years of academic study. Rather than testing your knowledge of facts, the exam focuses on how you read, reason, analyze information, and apply core concepts under time pressure. Understanding what is on the ACT syllabus allows students to prepare with intention instead of guessing which topics matter most.

The Structure of the Modern ACT

The ACT is composed of three primary sections that contribute to the composite score: English, Math, and Reading. In addition to these sections, students may choose to take the optional Writing essay and Science section, both of which are scored separately and do not affect the composite score. (In most cases. There are still some versions of the test where the Science section is mandatory, but by summer 2026 it will be optional in all contexts.) If you’re a strong writer, it is likely worth it to do the essay. If you’re comfortable with science and data analysis (spoiler alert: that’s what the Science section really tests), you will probably want to take that section. Also, if you’re planning on a STEM major, the Science section can help your admission chances if you do well on it!

English: Grammar, Rhetoric, and Editing Skills

The English section is actually the part of the test that requires the most memorization– not Math! This is because this portion of the exam tests how well students understand standard written English and effective communication, which means you need to know the standards of written English. Questions are based on short passages, and students are asked to identify errors, improve clarity, and evaluate writing choices. This section emphasizes grammar rules, sentence structure, punctuation, and usage, along with broader rhetorical skills like organization and tone. What you won’t be doing here is interpretation of a text or looking for meaning. If you want to ace this section, think like an editor.

Students should expect questions on verb tense, subject verb agreement, pronoun clarity, commas, apostrophes, and modifiers. Beyond mechanics, the ACT also tests whether students can recognize redundancy, improve transitions, and maintain consistency within a passage. Many questions ask students to choose the best option rather than simply the correct one, which requires judgment about style and purpose.

Preparation for English works best when students learn rules in context rather than memorizing isolated facts. Practice should focus on recognizing patterns and understanding why one choice strengthens a passage more than another. Timed practice is especially important here, since pacing can affect accuracy.

Math: Content Across High School Coursework

The Math section covers a wide range of topics drawn from typical high school curricula. Questions span pre algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. While advanced math concepts appear, the section rewards breadth and fluency more than deep specialization. You will not need calculus for the ACT, but you will need Algebra II.

Students encounter problems involving equations, functions, ratios, percentages, systems of equations, and basic trigonometric relationships. Geometry questions often involve area, volume, angles, and properties of shapes. The calculator is allowed throughout the section, but effective math performance depends more on reasoning than computation alone.

Many students struggle with Math due to time management rather than lack of knowledge. Questions increase in difficulty as the section progresses, so students must decide when to move on and when to invest more time. Strong prep teaches students how to prioritize questions, recognize familiar setups quickly, and avoid common traps that lead to wasted minutes.

Reading: Comprehension and Analysis Under Time Pressure

The Reading section assesses how well you understand and analyze written passages. Students read selections from prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science, then answer questions about main ideas, details, vocabulary in context, and author intent. There’s no editing or memorization here; it’s all about interpretation. 

Unlike some reading assessments, the ACT emphasizes speed. Passages are long, and the time per question is limited. Successful students develop strategies for identifying key information efficiently without rereading entire passages, especially because questions often require you to infer meaning or synthesize ideas rather than locate a single line.

Preparation for Reading should focus on active reading techniques and question awareness. Students benefit from learning how ACT questions are phrased and what they are truly asking. Practice with timed passages helps students build endurance and confidence, both of which are essential for strong performance.

Science: Data Interpretation and Reasoning Skills

The Science section tests how students interpret data, evaluate experiments, and reason through scientific information. It does not require advanced scientific knowledge, but it does demand comfort with graphs, tables, and research summaries. Questions are based on passages that describe experiments, data sets, or scientific viewpoints.

Students can expect material rooted in biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, and physics. Biology based passages often involve topics like cell processes, ecology, or population studies. Chemistry content may focus on reaction rates, solution behavior, or laboratory procedures. Earth and space science passages frequently address geology, climate systems, or atmospheric patterns, while physics based passages tend to emphasize motion, energy, forces, or basic electrical concepts. Prior coursework in these subjects can make the passages feel more familiar, but all required information is provided within the question set.

Across these disciplines, students analyze charts, compare results, and draw conclusions based on evidence presented. Some questions ask students to identify trends or relationships within data, while others focus on experimental design, variables, or competing hypotheses. Rather than recalling formulas or definitions, students are evaluated on their ability to extract meaning from scientific information efficiently.

While the Science section is now optional in some testing contexts, students should not assume it can be ignored. For students applying to programs that value analytical reasoning or STEM readiness, a strong Science score can still add value. Preparation should emphasize efficient data reading and familiarity with common scientific formats.

Writing: The Optional ACT Essay

The ACT Writing section is optional and scored separately from the composite. Students are given a prompt presenting an issue, along with three perspectives on that issue. They must write an essay that presents their own viewpoint, analyzes the given perspectives, and supports ideas with reasoning and examples. 

Essay topics often center on themes such as education policy, the role of technology in society, environmental responsibility, public health, or the balance between individual freedom and collective good. The ACT provides access to past prompts and samples, so if you’re planning to take this section, you really should have a look at what the ACT considers a good essay!

The essay is evaluated on ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use. While grammar matters, the primary focus is on clarity of argument and structure. Students do not need specialized knowledge of the topic, as prompts are designed to be accessible.

Students should decide whether to take the Writing section based on college requirements and personal goals. For those who choose to include it, preparation should focus on planning quickly, writing clearly, and managing time effectively. Practicing essay outlines and timed writing can make a meaningful difference.

Understanding SAT Scoring

Understanding the ACT syllabus also means understanding how the exam is scored and how that scoring affects preparation choices. Each of the three main sections, English, Math, Reading (and Science, if it’s not optional for you), receives a score from 1 to 36. These three scores are then averaged to produce the composite score, which is the primary number colleges review. Because the composite is an average, uneven section performance can meaningfully affect the final result, even if some scores are strong.

The ACT is scaled, meaning raw scores are converted based on test difficulty. This process helps ensure fairness across different test dates, but it also means that every question matters. In many sections, missing just a handful of questions can separate score bands, particularly at higher score ranges. Students do not need perfection to earn a competitive score, but they do need consistency. Small improvements across multiple sections often have a greater impact than major gains in only one area.

The optional Writing section is scored separately by two different graders. They score the essay on a scale of 1-6, and then their scores are added together, so the essay is actually scored on a scale of 2 to 12. It  does not factor into the composite score. Also, if Science is included in your composite, it may be weighted differently by individual colleges depending on their admissions policies. If it was optional for you, it will not be in your composite. And regardless of whether or not Science was mandatory, if you took that section it will be included with your Math score as your overall STEM score– which may be helpful for admissions to STEM programs.

Preparing With Confidence

The ACT syllabus covers a wide range of skills, but students do not need to master everything at once. With the right preparation approach, each section becomes manageable. Understanding what is tested and how it is tested gives students control over the process. While self-study is possible, the most effective prep combines content knowledge, strategy, and realistic practice. 

Courses and tutoring bring these elements together in a way that self study often cannot. ACT courses offer a comprehensive overview with built in strategy instruction, while tutoring allows for targeted support based on a student’s specific strengths, weaknesses, and score goals. Students who invest in guided preparation gain confidence and measurable progress. If you want comprehensive preparation that covers every part of the modern ACT syllabus, explore the Prep Expert® catalog of ACT courses and private tutoring options. Our programs are led by top 1% ACT test-takers who understand the test inside and out and know how to help students prepare efficiently and effectively.