Breaking Down the ACT: What You Need to Know

The ACT has long been one of the most recognized college admissions tests in the United States. For students aiming to stand out in competitive applicant pools, understanding what the ACT covers and how it is structured is the first step toward success. While strategy and practice matter, the foundation of strong performance is a clear understanding of what the test looks like, how it is scored, and how each section functions. With that foundation in place, students can then move forward with effective preparation and the kind of focused practice that makes the difference on test day.

The Structure of the ACT

The ACT is a standardized test designed to measure readiness for college-level coursework. It has recently received many updates that make the test more equitable and less taxing for students, and these improvements will be completely rolled out by Spring 2026. While you might still take it on paper, or you may take it digitally, by now all versions of the test have made the Science sectional optional and have the most updated test question counts and timing. You can learn more about that here, but here’s a quick guide to what you need to know: 

• 50 English questions in 35 minutes
• 45 Math questions in 50 minutes
• 36 Reading questions in 40 minutes
• 40 Science questions in an optional section that’s 35 minutes long
• 1 40 minute optional essay

If you take the full ACT with both optional sections, it takes 3 hours and 35 minutes. If you only take the mandatory section, it takes a little over two hours. Each section is strictly timed, which is why pacing is such a key factor in preparation. 

How the ACT Is Scored

Each of the multiple choice sections receives its own score on the 1 to 36 scale. The composite score is then the simple average of the three mandatory sections. The Science section is scored separately; it’s part of your score report, but is not included in the main composite score.

The essay is also scored separately, and isn’t on a 1-36 scale. Instead, two readers score it on a scale of 1-6 for a final score of 2-12. If your readers’ scores disagree by more than one point, a third reader will evaluate your essay to help resolve the discrepancy. Alongside the main score, you will also receive four domain scores that are based on a rubric. The subject score will be the rounded average of the four domain scores. 

When it comes to the multiple choice sections, you need to remember that there is no penalty for guessing, so leaving questions blank is never advisable. This scoring method rewards students who can work efficiently and make educated guesses when they are unsure. Colleges may look at section scores individually as well as the composite, particularly if a student is applying to a program that emphasizes math or science. Understanding this scoring system helps students set realistic score goals and track progress throughout their preparation.

The English Section

The English portion of the ACT consists of 50 questions to be completed in 35 minutes. It is less about reading comprehension and more about grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills. Students are asked to improve passages by correcting errors, adjusting sentence structure, and evaluating clarity. 

The questions test knowledge of subject-verb agreement, pronoun use, modifiers, and parallelism. In addition, they examine whether a passage communicates effectively, so style and tone are part of the challenge. The time limit makes the section feel fast, and students must be able to spot errors quickly while keeping an eye on the overall meaning of the passage. Strong preparation in grammar rules, along with practice in applying them under timed conditions, goes a long way toward boosting performance here.

The Math Section

The Math section contains 45 questions in 50 minutes, which means students have about one minute per question. This part of the test covers material through precalculus, with questions ranging from algebra and geometry to trigonometry and more advanced topics. Early questions often draw on straightforward algebraic skills, while later ones test deeper reasoning, functions, and problem-solving. 

The ACT allows the use of approved calculators (and the digital version has one built into the software), but many problems can be solved more quickly without one. Because the content spans several years of coursework, students sometimes find gaps in their memory. Reviewing these topics systematically is essential. Beyond content knowledge, efficiency matters; many students know how to solve problems but lose time working through lengthy calculations. Targeted practice helps refine those skills and build confidence.

The Reading Section

In Reading, students face 36 questions to be answered in 40 minutes. This section presents four passages, usually drawn from fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. Each passage is followed by multiple-choice questions that test comprehension, inference, and interpretation. 

Unlike the English section, the Reading test does not ask for corrections or grammar rules. Instead, it evaluates the ability to understand ideas, analyze details, and determine meaning in context. You have to distinguish main ideas from supporting evidence, recognize the purpose of a passage, and evaluate relationships between ideas. The challenge is the balance between reading speed and careful attention. If you spend too long on a passage, you might not finish… but if you rush, you risk missing subtleties. Practicing active reading strategies and developing a sense for the kinds of questions asked can make this section more manageable.

The Optional Science Section

The ACT Science section is one of the more distinctive parts of the test. Students have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions based on scientific data, research summaries, and experiments. Contrary to its name, the section is less about memorizing facts and more about interpreting information. Graphs, tables, and charts dominate the material, and students must extract meaning from them quickly. 

While some background in biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science is helpful, most questions do not require deep prior knowledge. Instead, they assess skills in analyzing trends, evaluating experimental design, and comparing hypotheses. Many students find this section challenging because of the sheer amount of data presented in a short time. The ability to read charts accurately and recognize patterns is often more important than recalling specific scientific concepts.

The Optional Writing Section

Although not required by every college, the Writing section offers students the chance to demonstrate their ability to construct a coherent argument. In this 40-minute essay, students are asked to respond to a prompt by analyzing multiple perspectives and presenting their own. Strong essays are well organized, draw from evidence, and use clear reasoning. Because fewer schools emphasize this score today, students should check the requirements of their target colleges before deciding whether to include it. If you’re a strong writer, you should absolutely take this section. For those who do, practicing timed essay writing is valuable preparation.

Preparing for the Writing section also means figuring out which version of the test you’ll be taking. Don’t like the thought of writing longhand for 40 minutes? Try to find a digital version of the exam to take; typing might feel a lot more comfortable!

Building an Effective Prep Plan

Preparing for the ACT is not simply about memorizing formulas or reviewing grammar rules. It requires building familiarity with the test’s format and practicing strategies that maximize efficiency. Because the test is timed, managing pace is as important as knowing the material. Practice tests help students get comfortable with the time limits, and reviewing mistakes identifies areas that need further attention. 

Many students benefit from structured courses that provide expert guidance. Instructors who score in the top 1% bring valuable insight, since they understand how to approach the test strategically and can share proven methods for improving performance. Working with such experts can turn preparation into a focused process rather than a trial-and-error effort.

Every section of the ACT rewards students who understand not just the content, but the way the test is designed. In English, the strategy might be spotting common grammar traps quickly. In Math, it could mean knowing when to use estimation rather than full calculations. Reading often comes down to skimming efficiently and focusing on the right details, while Science requires careful interpretation of charts and avoiding distractions in the text. These strategies save time, reduce stress, and improve accuracy. While self-study can help, learning directly from people who have mastered these strategies gives students a distinct advantage.

Staying Motivated Through Preparation

Studying for the ACT can feel like a long process, and motivation sometimes fades. Setting score goals, tracking progress, and celebrating small improvements keeps students moving forward. Practice scores rarely improve all at once, but steady effort pays off. Students should remember that the ACT is not a test of intelligence but a measure of preparation and performance under specific conditions. With the right guidance and steady practice, meaningful improvement is within reach for most test takers.

Why the ACT Matters

The ACT is a challenging but manageable test once students understand its structure, scoring, and content. Success depends on a combination of knowledge, strategy, and confidence built through preparation. For many students, working with experts who know the test inside and out provides the structure and insight needed to perform at their best. Whether the goal is admission to a dream school, eligibility for scholarships, or placement in advanced college courses, a strong ACT score can open doors. Investing time and effort in thoughtful preparation is one of the most effective steps students can take as they prepare for the next stage of their academic journey.

Maybe you’ve taken the ACT already and want to improve your score. Maybe you’re just starting your test prep. No matter where you are in your ACT journey, Prep Expert® is here to help you. We have ACT courses available for every upcoming test date. Have a look at our course catalog today to find the course that’s right for you!