The American College Testing (ACT®) is a standardized test used for college admissions across the United States. This test was developed in 1959 by a nonprofit organization, ACT Inc., and remains 1 of the 2 most popular college admission tests to date, along with the SAT®. While the ACT test has evolved in its format, syllabus, and scoring criteria, its purpose and significance remain the same. Let’s walk through the basics of the ACT test to help you decide whether it is a good choice for you.
ACT Overview
The ACT test is accepted by all 4-year colleges and universities in the United States, and more than 200 universities outside the U.S. Over a million students take the ACT every year — about 1.37 million students took the test in 2024. With such a large number of participants, it is clear that the ACT is a test you should take if you wish to attend college.
The ACT test measures a student’s college readiness. It provides colleges with a standard benchmark to assess a student’s overall academic skill set and indicate how prepared they are to attend and succeed in college.
ACT Format
The ACT test is divided into 3 separately-timed sections and 2 optional sections. The table below shows the number of questions and the duration for each section:
| Test Section | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 mins |
| Mathematics | 45 | 50 mins |
| Reading | 36 | 40 mins |
| Total | 131 | 125 minutes |
| Optional Science | 40 | 40 mins |
| Optional Writing | 1 Essay | 40 mins |
What Does the ACT Consist Of?
The ACT consists of multiple-choice tests in 3 compulsory subject areas: English, Math, and Reading. There are 2 optional tests - Science and Writing section, whose scores do not contribute to your composite ACT score. Each test section is designed to assess a specific set of skills.
| English | This section tests your ability to read and assess a given text. You'll be asked to revise and edit the passage based on your understanding. You can get passages from any literary genre, both fiction and non-fiction. |
| Math | This section asks you to assess and solve math problems based on the mathematical skills you’ve acquired in your middle and high school math courses. |
| Reading | As the name suggests, this test assesses your ability to read, comprehend, and process information from passages. You will get questions that prompt you to demonstrate how you draw inferences from multiple data sources. |
| Science (Optional) | The test includes questions about physics, biology, chemistry, and Earth/space sciences. The questions require you to interpret, analyze, reason, and evaluate information from the scientific passages provided. |
| Writing (Optional) | The section prompts you with 1 essay topic. You will be tested on your command of conventional English grammar and writing style. |
Our guide to the ACT Syllabus is here to help you understand the nitty-gritty of the topics, concepts, and skills tested on the ACT. Remember to check it out!
How Does ACT Scoring Work?
ACT test scores range from 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. Each section of the ACT is scored separately. 1 point is awarded for each correct answer, and you don’t lose points for wrong answers or unanswered questions. Once the entire test is scored, each raw score is converted to a scaled score. Finally, the 3 scaled scores are averaged to create a composite score. Check our ACT scoring guide for a detailed explanation of scoring.
If you choose to take the Writing Test, it is graded based on 4 separate domains: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions. Each area is assigned a score ranging from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest possible score. The Writing and Science scores are not counted in the final ACT composite score.
Why Does the ACT Matter? (Why Should You Take It?)
The ACT is vital to the college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and long-term planning. Here’s why you should consider it:
| Accepted by Most Colleges and Scholarships |
Nearly all 4-year U.S. colleges accept ACT scores, and many have minimum score requirements. Submitting a strong ACT score can make your application stand out even for test-optional schools. It also increases your chances of scholarships and financial aid. |
| College Placement and Career Opportunities |
The ACT helps with course placement and access to career planning services. It increases your visibility to colleges, scholarship programs, and potential employers, setting you up for academic and professional success. |
| Balance a Lower GPA |
A strong ACT score can offset a lower GPA, as many colleges place more emphasis on ACT scores than high school transcripts. It demonstrates academic potential and increases your chances of admission. |
| Assess Key Skills (Math, Science, STEM) |
The ACT tests your math, science, and STEM skills, which helps colleges place you in courses aligned with your strengths. If you excel in these areas, it highlights your readiness for advanced coursework and related careers. |
Is the ACT Hard?
Whether the ACT is hard or easy is a matter of your academic aptitude and skill set. The ACT tests you on your reading, analytical, scientific reasoning, and mathematical skills, which indicate your overall college readiness. While preparing for any standardized test demands dedication and rigor, here are a few pointers that could make the ACT a challenging test to ace:
Time Constraint
You are required to answer 131 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in a span of 125 minutes. This gives you roughly 57 seconds per question. The time constraint can make the ACT a challenging test to take. Taking timed ACT mock tests can help you manage your time on exam day.
Challenging Math Section
The ACT Math section covers a vast math syllabus compared to its competitor, the SAT. In addition, you are required to memorize all the formulas since the test does not provide you with any formula sheet during the test. This can make the Math section more challenging.
Long Reading Passages
Both the English and the Reading sections on the ACT require intensive reading and analysis of long passages. In fact, the Science section also comes with lengthy passages that can seem complex. To succeed on the test, you’ve got to read fast, process information, and answer the questions.
What is the Hardest ACT Section?
A test can be hard or easy depending on a student’s learning habits, aptitude, and skill sets. While 1 student can struggle with time constraints, another may find it difficult to memorize all the math formulas. And then, some students find reading and comprehending long passages in a timed test hard. Every student has specific weak points they need to improve on; it is tricky to point out a specific section of the ACT as hard or easy.
How early you identify and start working on those areas makes a difference. Take this free ACT practice test to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Taking early practice tests, PreACT tests, and high school assessments can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
ACT Review Tips
A good ACT score requires hard work, planning, and dedication. Preparing a schedule will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. You can always tailor your schedule to work harder on your weak areas and develop those skills. Here are some expert tips to ace the ACT test.
Start planning for your ACT in advance
Experts recommend starting preparation for the ACT at least 6 months before the test. Our detailed ACT Study Guide is here to help you plan your ACT preparation.
Dedicate time for each section
Studying all the test topics together can cram you up. Instead, keep separate study schedules for each test segment so you have a clear idea of what to focus on while preparing for the test.
Take practice tests
Practice is key! Taking practice tests in between each study period will help you develop your time management skills, and you can also understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Opting for a premium and reliable practice test that offers timed tests with answer explanations, like UWorld's ACT Practice Test, can help you study faster and smarter. Our online learning tools have thousands of sample questions that you can use to test your skills and get ready for the real test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are ACT tests held?
When do you take the ACT?
Is the ACT an aptitude test?
When should you take the ACT for the first time?
What is the best month to take the ACT?
What happens if you fail the ACT?
Learn More About ACT Test Sections
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