Scoring
Sections scored 1–36. Composite = average of English, Math, Reading, Science. Writing (essay) scored 2–12 separately. Many colleges accept superscores.
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ACT FULL PREPARATION
Comprehensive ACT Exam Guide: Strategies, Practice, and Resources to Maximize Your Score
Understanding the ACT Exam
Topic/Section Weight
Test Structure
High-Yield
ACT Test Simulator
detailed explanations, full-length mock exams, and topic-wise practice questions to strengthen concepts and improve your score.
Free Video Tutorials
Free video lessons covering all ACT subjects, strategies, and practice problems to help you master the exam content and boost your confidence.
Books & Written Notes For ACT Prep
Books for ACT Exam Preparation: Comprehensive Guides, Practice Tests, and Subject-Specific Resources to Ace the ACT
Understanding the ACT Exam
ACT Overview — Format, sections, scoring, and essential strategies to guide your preparation and test-day performance.
ACT
Timed, multiple-choice sections + optional essay
Timing
Total time usually ~2h20–2h55 depending on sections. With Writing, expect ~3h40. Practice with section timers to build pacing.
Question Types
Mostly multiple-choice (4 options). Writing requires an analytical essay comparing perspectives — practice planning and timing.
Test Structure
Test Structure: ACT exam format, section breakdown, and timing information to help you prepare effectively.
| Section | Time | Questions | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 35 minutes | 50 (40 scored) | Multiple-choice, passage-based |
| Mathematics | 50 minutes | 45 (41 scored) | Multiple-choice, calculator allowed |
| Reading | 40 minutes | 36 (27 scored) | Multiple-choice, passage-based |
| Science (Optional) | 40 minutes | 40 (34 scored) | Data representation, research summaries, conflicting viewpoints |
| Writing (Optional) | 40 minutes | 1 essay | Essay analyzing a complex issue & perspectives |
English
Multiple-choice, passage-based
35 min
50 (40 scored)
Mathematics
Multiple-choice, calculator allowed
50 min
45 (41 scored)
Reading
Multiple-choice, passage-based
40 min
36 (27 scored)
Science (Optional)
Data representation, research summaries, conflicting viewpoints
40 min
40 (34 scored)
Writing (Optional)
Essay analyzing a complex issue & perspectives
40 min
1 essay
* Scored questions only; some items are pretest/unscored.
Topic / Section Weight
ACT content distribution and high-yield areas to prioritise in your preparation. Use the quick bars to scan high-weight focuses and drill down to practice.
English
35 min
Summary
Production of Writing
40%
Topic development, organization, cohesion
Conventions of Standard English
40%
Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure
Knowledge of Language
20%
Word choice, tone, concision
Practice →
3 focus areas
Mathematics
50 min
Summary
Core Categories
80%
Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Number & Quantity, Statistics
Integrating Essential Skills
20%
Multi‑concept application
Practice →
2 focus areas
Reading
40 min
Summary
Key Ideas & Details
48%
Central ideas, inferences, evidence
Craft & Structure
30%
Tone, author purpose, structure
Integration
22%
Arguments, graphics, multiple texts
Practice →
3 focus areas
Science
40 min
Summary
Interpretation of Data
44%
Graphs, trends, tables and experiments
Scientific Investigation
25%
Design, variables
Evaluation of Arguments
31%
Models, evidence
Practice →
3 focus areas
Writing (Optional)
Essay RubricIdeas & Analysis
Engage multiple perspectives
Development & Support
Reasoning, examples, implications
Organization
Clear structure and flow
Language & Conventions
Grammar, tone, style
Each domain contributes equally to the essay score (2–12).
High-Yield Topics
Most frequently tested subjects and question types on the ACT exam, along with targeted study strategies to maximize your score.
English
| Category | Weight | Difficulty | Key Skills / Topics | Why High‑Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of Writing | 38–43% | Medium | Organization/transitions, logical flow, relevance, main idea/purpose | Passage‑level strategy; mastering improves overall section accuracy |
| Conventions of Standard English | 38–43% | Medium | Punctuation (commas, semicolons, dashes, colons, apostrophes), subject‑verb agreement, pronoun errors, modifier placement, verb tense | Most frequent questions; rule‑based with many common traps |
| Knowledge of Language | 18–23% | Medium | Conciseness/redundancy, word choice, style/tone consistency | Quick elimination of wordy or inconsistent options |
Production of Writing
MediumWeight: 38–43%
Skills: Organization/transitions, logical flow, relevance, main idea/purpose
Why: Passage‑level strategy; mastering improves overall section accuracy
Conventions of Standard English
MediumWeight: 38–43%
Skills: Punctuation (commas, semicolons, dashes, colons, apostrophes), subject‑verb agreement, pronoun errors, modifier placement, verb tense
Why: Most frequent questions; rule‑based with many common traps
Knowledge of Language
MediumWeight: 18–23%
Skills: Conciseness/redundancy, word choice, style/tone consistency
Why: Quick elimination of wordy or inconsistent options
Mathematics
| Category | Weight | Difficulty | Key Skills / Topics | Why High‑Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 17–20% | Medium | Linear equations/inequalities, systems of equations, quadratics (factoring, graphing) | Core foundation; appears in many problem types |
| Functions | 17–20% | Medium‑Hard | Function notation/evaluation, graphing transformations, modeling | Modeling separates high scorers |
| Geometry | 17–20% | Medium | Triangles (properties, similarity), circles, coordinate geometry, basic trig (SOH‑CAH‑TOA) | Visual problems; trig gives fast points if learned |
| Statistics & Probability | 12–15% | Easy‑Medium | Mean/median/mode, probability, data interpretation | Calculation‑based; low error rate with practice |
| Number & Quantity | 10–12% | Easy‑Medium | Percentages/ratios/proportions, exponents, complex numbers | Essential basics; often straightforward |
| Integrating Essential Skills | ~20% | Medium | Rates/proportions in context, area/volume applications, multi‑step word problems | Applied problems; rewards strong fundamentals |
Algebra
MediumWeight: 17–20%
Skills: Linear equations/inequalities, systems of equations, quadratics (factoring, graphing)
Why: Core foundation; appears in many problem types
Functions
Medium‑HardWeight: 17–20%
Skills: Function notation/evaluation, graphing transformations, modeling
Why: Modeling separates high scorers
Geometry
MediumWeight: 17–20%
Skills: Triangles (properties, similarity), circles, coordinate geometry, basic trig (SOH‑CAH‑TOA)
Why: Visual problems; trig gives fast points if learned
Statistics & Probability
Easy‑MediumWeight: 12–15%
Skills: Mean/median/mode, probability, data interpretation
Why: Calculation‑based; low error rate with practice
Number & Quantity
Easy‑MediumWeight: 10–12%
Skills: Percentages/ratios/proportions, exponents, complex numbers
Why: Essential basics; often straightforward
Integrating Essential Skills
MediumWeight: ~20%
Skills: Rates/proportions in context, area/volume applications, multi‑step word problems
Why: Applied problems; rewards strong fundamentals
Reading
| Category | Weight | Difficulty | Key Skills / Topics | Why High‑Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Ideas and Details | 44–52% | Medium | Main idea/purpose, locating details, basic inferences, sequence/relationships | Highest volume; evidence‑based questions |
| Craft and Structure | 26–33% | Medium‑Hard | Vocabulary in context, author's tone/voice, word choice impact | Requires nuance; common distractors |
| Integration of Knowledge and Ideas | 19–26% | Hard | Evidence support, comparing passages (dual), analyzing arguments | Differentiates 30+ scores; increased emphasis |
Key Ideas and Details
MediumWeight: 44–52%
Skills: Main idea/purpose, locating details, basic inferences, sequence/relationships
Why: Highest volume; evidence‑based questions
Craft and Structure
Medium‑HardWeight: 26–33%
Skills: Vocabulary in context, author's tone/voice, word choice impact
Why: Requires nuance; common distractors
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
HardWeight: 19–26%
Skills: Evidence support, comparing passages (dual), analyzing arguments
Why: Differentiates 30+ scores; increased emphasis
Science (Optional)
| Category | Weight | Difficulty | Key Skills / Topics | Why High‑Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of Data | 36–47% | Medium | Graphs/tables/figures, trends/patterns, extrapolation/interpolation | Most questions; practice dramatically improves speed/accuracy |
| Scientific Investigation | 17–31% | Medium‑Hard | Experiment design, variables, procedures, predictions | Common in research summaries; understanding setups is key |
| Evaluation of Models/Inferences/Results | 22–36% | Hard | Conflicting viewpoints, hypothesis evaluation, experimental results | Pure reasoning; at least one passage per test |
Interpretation of Data
MediumWeight: 36–47%
Skills: Graphs/tables/figures, trends/patterns, extrapolation/interpolation
Why: Most questions; practice dramatically improves speed/accuracy
Scientific Investigation
Medium‑HardWeight: 17–31%
Skills: Experiment design, variables, procedures, predictions
Why: Common in research summaries; understanding setups is key
Evaluation of Models/Inferences/Results
HardWeight: 22–36%
Skills: Conflicting viewpoints, hypothesis evaluation, experimental results
Why: Pure reasoning; at least one passage per test