Need Info: What's on the ACT Test?

Heyya! I'm planning to start prepping for the ACT soon but I wanna know what I should expect. Could someone elaborate on what's actually covered in the test? What sections are there and what kind of questions?

Absolutely, glad you asked! The ACT measures your readiness for college across four areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. It also offers an optional Writing test.

1. English: You'll answer 75 questions in 45 minutes, testing your understanding of standard English rules, including grammar and usage, punctuation, sentence structure as well as rhetorical skills and strategy.

2. Mathematics: 60 questions in 60 minutes, covering mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to grade 12. It has several parts such as pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.

3. Reading: You'll have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions. This section measures your reading comprehension skills, requiring you to read four passages (one each of prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science) and answer questions based on them.

4. Science: This section, which you'll have 35 minutes to complete 40 questions, doesn't so much test specific science facts but measures your ability to interpret, analyze, evaluate, reason, and problem-solve using scientific information.

5. Optional Writing test: It involves one essay question that will require you to analyze a complex issue and provide a written analysis in 40 minutes. It is not included in the composite score.

What's great about the ACT (compared to the SAT) is it doesn't penalize you for wrong answers, so guess when you're in doubt! The scores on each section range from 1 to 36, with the total (composite) score being the average of the four section scores. Preparation and practice can really make a difference, so plan your study routine accordingly. Best of luck!