TheACT

What is the ACT?

• The ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading and Science
• The test is 175 minutes long
• The optional writing section adds an additional 40 minutes to the test.

English Section: (45 minutes total)

• 1 multiple-choice section [grammar and usage, punctuation, and sentence structure] --75 questions total
• The section consists of 5 passages, each followed by multiple-choice questions

Mathematics Section: (60 minutes total)

• 1 multiple-choice section -- 60 questions total
• The section covers math concepts that most students will have learned by the completion of the 11th grade.

Reading Section: (35 minutes total)

• 1 multiple-choice section -- 40 questions total
• The section consists of 4 passages that are representative of the kinds of reading passages students will encounter once in college.

Science Section: (35 minutes total)

• 1 multiple-choice section -- 40 questions total
• The section tests students on skills of basic science reasoning: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving.
• Only 3 – 4 questions per test are based on actual scientific knowledge.

What is the optional writing section? Why take it?

• The writing test was first made available in 2005
• It is a 40-minute essay that tests your basic writing skills. The question is a prompt that will describe an issue and three points-of-view on that issue. The student will then be asked to present his or her own view on the issue. The score for this section will not be based on the actual point-of-view of the essay, but instead it will be based on the overall quality and competence of the essay.
• Honestly - at this point, very few colleges will require you to do the essay. It's not something most people need to worry about!