ACT Timing With Breaks

Mastering timing is an extremely important strategy for succeeding on any standardized test, and the ACT is no different. But forget those horror stories of grueling half-day testing; the ACT is doing its part to banish leg cramps and assuage anxieties with its new, streamlined format. ]

Today’s ACT is much less exhausting; while you still need to build your testing endurance and understand the timing, it’s not a 5-hour test anymore. But how long is the ACT? How much time does the ACT give you per section? Let’s break it down. 

Exploring Your ACT Options

You don’t have to take every section of the ACT. Whether you take the test on paper or digitally, there are three mandatory sections: English, Math, and Reading. There is an optional Science section, and an optional Writing section that requires you to write an essay. This means that you can have one of four different configurations, depending on what you choose:

• Mandatory sections only
• Mandatory + Science
• Mandatory + Essay
• All sections

Each section is timed individually, and you don’t have the option to go back to previous sections, so don’t think that you can hurry through the English section to start Math early; the test simply won’t let you. Instead, work out the section timings as you prepare for the exam. 

It’s also important to keep start times in mind. If you’re taking the test at a testing center, you need to arrive by 8:00 AM to get checked in (earlier is better!), and the test will start at 8:30. But for school day testing, the test will be slotted into the school’s schedule, so the start time will be entirely dependent on how your school handles things. 

ACT Section Timings

Wondering how much time you’ll have per question? Here’s a breakdown of the time allotted for each section and how much time you’ll be able to spend on each question.  

So How Long Will The ACT Take Me?

With the section-by-section numbers in mind, let’s take a look at how your ACT will go, assuming you have a typical 8:30 AM start and you’re taking the digital version of the test. Keep in mind that these times may change based on testing center conditions, and all beginning and ending times are approximate. Budget a little extra time in at the end; for example, if you’re taking the full test, don’t plan to do anything until midafternoon at the earliest!

If you’ve seen older versions of the ACT, you might also notice that while section times have gotten shorter, the break after the Math section has gotten longer! The 10 minute break is now 15 minutes to give you more time to collect yourself, have a snack, and relax between exam portions. 

Extra Time on the ACT: Disability Accommodations

While the ACT timing is strict, the test does its best to be fair. If you have a disability like ADHD, a learning disability, or autism, you may be eligible for extra time based on your needs. The most common accommodation is time and a half, although for some students, special testing parameters, like multi-day testing, can be granted. 

If you ‘re given time and a half, here’s what the sections will look like: 

If you need time and a half, or other accommodations, you need to request this early through the ACT’s Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) portal. You’ll need to work with your school to allow them to release information, and it usually takes 5-10 business days to process the request. After approval, you will likely be placed in National Testing, but if you need more accommodations than time and a half or have an unusual circumstance, you may be placed into the Special Testing environment. If you’re homeschooled or not currently enrolled in school and need extra time due to a disability, don’t worry; there’s a process for you, too. 

Breaks are not different if you have time and a half; if you need longer or more breaks, you need to request those as an accommodation. And if you need accommodations, it’s best to show up to the test as early as possible. While doors close at 8:00, you should try to get there by 7:45 or earlier in case there are any issues. 

Getting Ready for the ACT

If you want to get the best score possible on the ACT, it’s important that you master timing before the test day; it should be a major part of your test prep. When you take an ACT prep course with us at Prep Expert®, your expert instructor will help you practice these timings until it’s practically second nature. We offer classes for every test date; browse our catalog to find the one that’s right for you!