ACT Breakdown: What Subjects are Covered?

I've mostly been focusing on SAT prep but I'm considering taking the ACT as well. Can anyone help me understand - what subjects does the ACT cover? Is it the same as the SAT or are there significant differences?

The ACT contains four mandatory sections as compared to the SAT's two, although both tests offer an optional essay. The following are the ACT's essential sections:

1. English: This section covers grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. It contains 75 questions to be answered in 45 minutes.

2. Mathematics: This 60-question, 60-minute section covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry concepts.

3. Reading: In 35 minutes, you'll answer 40 questions that measure your reading comprehension skills. The focus is mainly on prose fiction, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

4. Science: Unlike the SAT, the ACT has a dedicated Science section. This 40-question, 35-minute section isn't about factual scientific knowledge but rather scientific investigation and reasoning skills, based largely on interpreting experimental data given in charts and graphs.

5. Writing (Optional): This section is a 40-minute essay, where students are presented with three perspectives on a contemporary issue and asked to develop their stance, considering at least one of the supplied points of view.

Remember, while the Science section is unique to the ACT, it's worth noting that the SAT embeds some scientific and data interpretation questions in its reading and writing sections.

Also intriguing: unlike the SAT, which combines Reading and Writing into one Verbal score, each ACT section gets its grade, which then averages to form a composite score. This scoring may appeal to you if you have widely varying strengths across subjects since one strong or weak area won't disproportionately affect your score as it might on the SAT.

Depending on your strength in Science or other areas tested specifically in the ACT, it might be a preferable alternative to the SAT for you. Ensure you take enough practice tests to familiarize yourself with the ACT before deciding which test to pursue! Good luck with your prep!