Taking the ACT

The ACT is a standardized college entrance examination that measures knowledge and skills through multiple-choice questions covering the following:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Reading
  • Science reasoning
  • Writing (optional)

You receive 12 separate scores:

  • One composite
  • Four subject scores
  • Seven sub-scores

The composite, or scaled, score is the most important. Nearly half of test takers receive scores between 17 and 23. (The full range is 1–36.)

The ACT reports three additional scores to students who take the ACT Writing Test:

  • The Writing Test score (2–12)
  • English/Writing score (1–36)
  • Comments about your writing

Registering for exams

  • Contact your school counselor for registration materials.
  • Call ACT at (319) 337-1270. Materials will be mailed for free.

Preparing for exams

Practice test

Visit ACTstudent.org to access sample tests. While taking the sample test, click on your answers to find out if you are correct. Explanations are given for each question.

Test structure

English 75 multiple-choice questions
Usage and Mechanics
40
Rhetorical Skills
35
Mathematics 60 multiple-choice questions
Pre-Algebra
14
Elementary Algebra
10
Intermediate Algebra
9
Coordinate Geometry
9
Plane Geometry
14
Trigonometry
4
Reading 40 multiple-choice questions
Analyze four reading passages in these areas:
Prose Fiction
10
Humanities
10
Social Studies
10
Natural Sciences
10
Science 40 multiple-choice questions
Content areas for Science include Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics
Data Representation
15
Research Summary
18
Conflicting Viewpoint
7

Reviewing scores

View your scores at ACT.org. For an $8 fee, you can see your scores two weeks before the official score report arrives by mail.


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