The ACT prep guide

Not sure about Science? We'll help you weigh it up

• ACT Official Practice Test PDF

  Official

  Official

  ACT’s Preparing for the ACT booklet: a full-length practice test (including the optional Science and Writing tests) with answer keys and self-scoring instructions.

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• ACT Free Prep Hub

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  Official

  ACT’s free prep page: four official full-length practice tests (digital or paper), practice by section, study guides and free sample classes from Kaplan.

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• ACT QuizMe

  Official

  Official

  Quick, free practice questions from ACT in every subject, with answers included.

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• Albert.io Enhanced ACT Score Calculator

  Free

  Free

  Calculate your projected Enhanced ACT composite and section scores with this free tool updated for the new scoring model.

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• Erik the Red ACT Formulas

  Free

  Free

  Comprehensive ACT math formulas and facts sheet covering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics in a concise PDF.

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• PrepScholar ACT Grammar Rules

  Free

  Free

  Complete guide to every grammar rule tested on the ACT English section, with examples and practice questions.

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Not sure which date to aim for? We'll help you plan

• English strategies

  • The Enhanced ACT English section has 50 questions in 35 minutes — that’s 42 seconds per question. Speed comes from pattern recognition: learn the top 15 grammar rules (commas, apostrophes, subject-verb agreement, pronoun case) and you’ll answer most questions on autopilot.
  • Read the full paragraph before answering rhetorical skills questions. Many questions about sentence placement, transitions, and relevance require understanding the passage’s overall argument, not just the underlined portion.
  • When in doubt, choose the most concise answer. The ACT rewards clear, direct writing. If two answers are grammatically correct, the shorter one is almost always right — avoid redundancy and wordiness.
  • Practice identifying the difference between grammar questions (rules-based, one correct answer) and rhetoric questions (judgment-based, best answer). Knowing which type you’re facing changes your approach entirely.
  • Don’t dismiss the ‘NO CHANGE’ option — it’s often the right answer. Read the original carefully before assuming it needs to change.

• Math strategies

  • The Enhanced ACT Math section now has 45 questions in 50 minutes with 4 answer choices (down from 5). That’s about 67 seconds per question and better odds on guessing — never leave a question blank.
  • Know your calculator inside and out. Calculators are allowed on all ACT Math questions, so practice using yours for graphing, solving systems of equations, and checking arithmetic. A graphing calculator can solve some problems in seconds.
  • The difficulty generally increases from question 1 to 45. Budget your time: spend 30–40 seconds on early questions and save more time for the harder back half. If a question stumps you, mark it and move on — every question is worth the same.
  • Focus your study on the highest-yield topics: linear equations, ratios/proportions, basic trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA), and coordinate geometry.
  • Backsolving and plugging in answer choices is more effective than ever with only 4 options. When an algebraic approach feels slow, start with answer choice B or C and test — you’ll often find the answer in two tries.

• Reading strategies

  • The Enhanced ACT Reading section has 36 questions in 40 minutes — about 67 seconds per question. With fewer questions and more time, you can afford to read passages more carefully than on the old ACT.
  • Read actively: underline or annotate main ideas, topic sentences, and author’s tone shifts as you read. This saves time when you need to locate evidence for specific questions.
  • Expect literary narrative and informational passages (some paired, some with charts or graphs); one of the four passages is an unscored field test you can’t tell apart. Develop a passage order strategy — start with your strongest passage type to build confidence and bank time.
  • For detail questions, always go back to the passage. Your memory of the passage is less reliable than the actual text. The correct answer is directly supported by specific words or phrases in the passage.
  • Eliminate extreme answers. The ACT Reading section rarely has answers with absolute language (‘always,’ ‘never,’ ‘completely’). If an answer sounds too strong or goes beyond what the passage says, it’s usually wrong.

• Science strategies (if taking)

  • The optional Science section has 40 questions in 40 minutes — 60 seconds per question. Despite the name, it’s mostly a data interpretation and scientific reasoning test: ACT’s blueprint has only 5–8 of the 34 scored questions calling on outside science knowledge.
  • Spend 80% of your time on the figures, tables, and graphs — not the text. Most questions can be answered directly from the data. Only read the experimental descriptions when a question specifically asks about methodology or variables.
  • For Research Summary passages, identify the independent variable (what the scientist changed), the dependent variable (what was measured), and the control. This framework answers most experimental design questions instantly.
  • Conflicting Viewpoints passages are the exception — read these carefully before looking at the questions. Understand each scientist’s position, where they agree, and where they disagree. These passages reward careful reading over speed.
  • If you’re strong in Science, taking this section can boost your overall profile, especially for STEM programs. If Science is a weakness, it won’t lower your composite, but the score is reported with your other scores from that test date.

Leaning towards the SAT? Read the SAT guide