Preparing for Tests: What's on the ACT Test?

Hey everyone, I'm starting to prepare for the ACT and I'm a bit stressed about it. I'd appreciate if anyone could give me a rundown of what exactly is tested on the ACT? Thanks a bunch!

Sure thing! The ACT exam is divided into four major sections, with an optional fifth section. Here's what the sections are, along with what they test:

1. English: This section tests your understanding of standard written English and rhetorical skills. It has 75 questions and is 45 minutes long. The main areas include punctuation, grammatical usage, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style.

2. Math: This section tests your mathematical skills that you've typically acquired up until the start of 12th grade. It has 60 questions that you should answer in 60 minutes. Topics cover pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.

3. Reading: The reading section tests your reading comprehension skills. It consists of 40 questions that must be completed in 35 minutes. There are four sections: prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science, each with their corresponding passages.

4. Science: The ACT science section tests your interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in the realm of natural science. It has 40 questions and lasts 35 minutes. It isn't concentrated on memorized scientific facts but is more focused on interpreting data and scientific hypotheses.

5. Writing (Optional): For this optional section, you'll write an essay in 40 minutes based on a perspective on a given issue. It examines your writing skills and your ability to develop an argument.

Remember to practice consistently, and familiarize yourself with the kind of questions expected, that should help lower your stress levels. Good luck!