ACT Test: Duration, Sections, and Tips to Prepare

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Tumblr
Telegram
ACT Test Sections and Scoring Explained
The ACT is a college admissions test that measures readiness for college-level work. The test changed in 2025, so students should prepare for the current format.

The ACT is a college admissions test that measures readiness for college-level work. The test changed in 2025, so students should prepare for the current format.

The Enhanced ACT has three required sections: English, Math, and Reading. The English section has 50 questions in 35 minutes and tests grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. The Math section has 45 questions in 50 minutes and covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The Reading section has 36 questions in 40 minutes and tests comprehension of passages from different subject areas.

Science and Writing are now optional. The Science section has 40 questions in 40 minutes and tests scientific reasoning, such as reading data and evaluating experiments. The Writing section is one essay in 40 minutes. Students can add one or both sections when they register. Check each college’s requirements first, since some schools or programs still want to see Science or Writing scores.

Scores run from 1 to 36 on each section. The composite score is the average of the English, Math, and Reading scores. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question.

Preparation works best with a plan. Use official ACT practice materials, since they match the real test most closely. Take timed practice tests to build speed, and review mistakes to find weak spots. Learn the format of each section so nothing on test day feels new.

On test day, bring your admission ticket, an acceptable photo ID, number 2 pencils, a permitted calculator, and a watch or timer without an alarm. Leave textbooks, notes, and phones out of the testing room. Arrive early, dress in layers, and eat before you go. During the test, keep moving: do not spend too long on any one question, and guess rather than leave blanks.

More preparation help is in the guide to standardized test study strategies and the companion article on the ACT essentials. Students also compare the test with the SAT exam, and STEM tutoring can help with the Math section.

Related Posts
Awareness

Problem with Outdated University Education

University courses are only useful if they keep up with the field. Textbooks take years to write and publish. Curriculum review boards move slowly too. In fast-moving subjects like technology, health care, and public policy, a syllabus written five years ago can leave students studying ideas the industry has already moved past. This gap matters because employers hire people who can use current methods, not old ones. Students can graduate, start work, and find that their training does not match what the job requires. The cost falls on the graduate. Universities close this gap by reviewing course content often instead of waiting for a full curriculum overhaul. They check reading lists against recent research. They bring working professionals in to teach and advise. They ask graduates and employers what the program missed. Schools that do this through curriculum design that responds to feedback stay relevant longer. Students can protect themselves before enrolling. Ask when the course materials were last updated. Read the reading list and check the publication dates. Ask whether the program consults industry advisers, and what a competency-based curriculum looks like in practice. A school that cannot answer these questions is not paying attention to the problem. Before choosing any program, review how to judge whether a curriculum fits your goals. And consider delivery format as well: flexible online learning can make it easier to study while working, which matters most when the content is current.

Read More
Academic Degrees

What Skills Can You Gain From Earning A Master’s Degree?

A master’s degree builds on what you learned as an undergraduate. You go deeper into one subject and learn how research is done in that field. The main gains are subject knowledge, research skill, and the habit of working through hard problems. Most programs end with a thesis, capstone, or applied project. That kind of work teaches you to plan a long task, find and judge sources, and present findings clearly. These are the skills employers mean when they ask for critical thinking. You also meet people. Classmates, professors, and guest speakers become a professional network. Surveys repeatedly find that a large share of workers got their current job through a personal or professional connection, so these relationships matter when you start job hunting. Reading best practices for networking and building professional relationships before you enroll can help you make the most of that time. A master’s can raise pay and open doors to senior roles, but that depends on the field. In some industries the degree is a hard requirement. In others, work experience counts for more. Examples include the Master of Science in Business Administration, which suits management and operations roles, and the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, which suits people moving into leadership. Review career opportunities with a master’s in business administration and the benefits of a master’s in organizational leadership before deciding. Before enrolling, talk to people doing the job you want and ask what they recommend. Their answers are worth more than any brochure.

Read More
Request Free Info