Hey guys! I'm going to take the ACT soon, but I'm not completely sure what's tested on it. Can someone explain the different test categories or sections that make up the ACT? What should I expect and what should I focus on while studying? Thanks in advance!
Hi there! The ACT consists of four main sections, plus an optional writing section. Here's an overview of these sections:
1. English: The English section consists of 75 questions and you'll have 45 minutes to complete it. This section evaluates your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. To prepare, practice your understanding of grammar and punctuation rules, and work on polishing your writing skills by reading and analyzing high-quality texts.
2. Mathematics: The Math section has 60 questions and gives you 60 minutes to finish. It tests your knowledge in areas such as pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. To study for this section, review math concepts from your coursework, practice arithmetic and algebra problems, and study geometry and trigonometry formulas.
3. Reading: The Reading section includes 40 questions, and you have 35 minutes to complete it. This section assesses your reading comprehension skills through various passages in four categories: prose fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. To prepare, build your speed-reading abilities, develop a strategy for answering questions effectively, and practice reading articles on unfamiliar topics.
4. Science: The Science section comes with 40 questions and takes 35 minutes. It evaluates your skills in interpreting and analyzing scientific data, including understanding charts, graphs, and experimental results. This section doesn't require much prior knowledge of specific scientific topics, but you should be familiar with the scientific process and general concepts. Practice interpreting data and develop strategies for understanding complex scientific texts quickly.
Optional Writing section: In this 40-minute section, you'll write one essay based on a given prompt. The Writing section measures your ability to produce a well-structured and organized argument in response to a given issue. Practice writing clear, concise, and persuasive essays within the given time limit.
To focus your studying, first take a practice ACT to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section. Then, concentrate on improving the areas where you scored lowest. Make sure to use official practice materials and time yourself when taking practice tests to simulate the actual testing conditions. You can also get specific tips for how to set yourself up for success from sources like CollegeVine's blog, which has a range of ACT-specific posts, like this one: https://blog.collegevine.com/top-10-act-tips-for-acing-the-exam
Good luck with your test preparation!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.