ACT Time Breakdown with Breaks

Hello everyone! I'm sweating it out over the ACT coming up. It's all a bit overwhelming. Could someone please explain the time breakdown with breaks for the ACT? I want to make sure my pacing is spot-on. Thanks in advance!

Hello! It's terrific that you're focusing on pacing, as it can definitely make a difference during these high-stakes tests like the ACT.

The ACT consists of four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Here's the breakdown including break times:

1. English: 45 minutes to answer 75 questions, which comes to about 36 seconds per question.

2. Mathematics: 60 minutes for 60 questions, so 1 minute per question.

After these sections, you get a 15-minute break. Use this time to have a snack, hydrate, and relax before tackling the next sections.

3. Reading: 35 minutes for 40 questions, giving you just a little under a minute per question.

4. Science: 35 minutes for 40 questions, similar to the Reading section.

If you're also taking the optional Writing portion, you get a 5-minute break after the Science section before diving into the 40-minute essay.

So, including breaks, the test without the Writing section is about 3 hours and 5 minutes. If you're taking the Writing section, the test will be approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Remember, it's just as important to understand the types of questions as well as the pacing. Ensure you're getting solid practice with each type and keeping an eye on the clock so your pacing habits are well established by test day. Best of luck on your ACT!