The ACT is a standardized test conducted by ACT Inc., intended for high school students to measure their preparedness for college. The ACT score is considered valid by all four-year colleges and universities across the United States and measures English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning; the ACT plus Writing test also includes a Writing section. To emphasize its importance to college enrollment, over 1.38 million students sit for the ACT each year.
The ACT exam structure is designed in such a way as to perfectly assess the student’s knowledge and expertise across different areas in various topics.
ACT Exam Pattern: An Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Administrator | ACT Inc. |
| Mode | Computer-based and Paper-based |
| Duration | 2 hours 55 minutes (without Writing); 2 hours 55 minutes 40 minutes extra (with Writing) |
| Number of Questions | 215 multiple-choice questions; 1 essay (optional Writing) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Age Limit | Anyone above the age of 13 years |
What is the ACT Exam?
The ACT stands for American College Testing, is one of the popular standardized tests, that assesses the college readiness of students in high school. The structure of the ACT is extensive, as this test checks the student’s abilities in the fields of English, mathematics, reading, and science, and even provides an extra writing section to evaluate essential high school competency – writing skills.
The test is essential in college placement in the United States since all four-year colleges and universities use the results of the ACT test. Apart from the United States, more than 225 universities throughout the globe admit the ACT as an acceptable form of examination.
Key Features of the ACT Exam:
- Help support teachers of high school students in determining how prepared each student is for college work.
- Composes of English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional subtest).
- These tests are made up of multiple choices; the Writing section entails an essay.
- The Divisional Test Score is the average of the national section scores in each division, each of which is scaled from 1 to 36.
- Approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes without Writing; 3 hours and 35 minutes with Writing.
- Offered seven times a year in the U.S. and five times internationally.
- Transferable to all four-year institutions in the U.S. and more than 225 internationally.
ACT Exam Pattern
| Test Section | Type of Questions | Subsections | Time |
| English | 75 multiple-choice questions | Usage/Mechanics, Punctuation, Grammar and usage, Sentence structure, Rhetorical Skills, Strategy, Organisation, Style | 45 minutes |
| Mathematics | 60 multiple-choice questions | Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry, Trigonometry | 60 minutes |
| Reading | 40 multiple-choice questions | Reading Comprehension (four passages, each from Prose Fiction, Social Studies, Humanities, and Natural Sciences) | 35 minutes |
| Science | 40 multiple-choice questions | Data representation (graphs and tables), Research summaries, Conflicting viewpoints | 35 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | One writing prompt | 40 minutes |
| Total | 215 questions | – | 2 hours 55 minutes (without Writing); 2 hours 55 minutes 40 minutes extra (with Writing) |
| Sections | 4 (One optional) | – | – |
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ACT Exam Pattern– English
The English section assesses a candidate’s command over grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions derived from five passages.
Subsections and Focus Areas:
| Category | Weightage | Focus |
| Production of Writing | 30 – 32% | Analyzing and producing passages with proper structure and tone. |
| Knowledge of Language | 12 – 18% | Consistency in tone and appropriate word/phrase selection. |
| Conventions of Standard English | 50 – 55% | Sentence formation, grammar, and punctuation usage. |
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ACT Exam Pattern – Mathematics
The Math section tests both basic and advanced mathematical skills up to the 12th-grade level. It is divided into essential skills and higher mathematics, allowing calculator use.
Mathematics Subsections:
| Topic | Weightage | Sample Focus Areas |
| Pre-Algebra | 20 – 25% | Percentages, ratios, exponents, series, absolute values. |
| Elementary Algebra | 15 – 20% | Quadratic equations, inequalities, linear equations. |
| Intermediate Algebra | 15 – 20% | Logarithms, functions, complex numbers. |
| Coordinate Geometry | 15 – 20% | Properties of shapes, lines, and angles. |
| Plane Geometry | 20 – 25% | Slope, conic sections, distance calculations. |
| Trigonometry | 5 – 10% | Trigonometric identities, graphing functions. |
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ACT Exam Pattern – Reading
The Reading section tests logical reasoning, comprehension, and interpretation skills through four passages from different genres.
Passage Types and Focus:
| Passage Type | Sample Topics |
| Social Studies | History, psychology, sociology. |
| Prose Fiction | Novels, memoirs, short stories. |
| Natural Science | Biology, meteorology, anatomy. |
| Humanities | Art, film, music, ethics. |
Key Skills Assessed:
- Key Ideas and Details (55 – 60%): Summarizing and identifying main ideas.
- Craft and Structure (25 – 30%): Analyzing the author’s tone and structure.
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (12 – 18%): Connecting and evaluating information.
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ACT Exam Pattern – Science
The Science section evaluates interpretation, analysis, and problem-solving abilities using data from scientific passages, graphs, and charts.
Categories of Questions:
| Category | Weightage | Focus Areas |
| Interpretation of Data | 45 – 50% | Analyzing scientific graphs, tables, and diagrams. |
| Scientific Investigation | 20 – 30% | Understanding experiments and modifying procedures. |
| Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Results | 25 – 35% | Analyzing viewpoints and predicting outcomes. |
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ACT Exam Pattern – Writing (Optional)
The writing section evaluates coherence, analytical skills, and written expression. Candidates must analyze a short passage and three perspectives, presenting their views while addressing the given points.
Scoring Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
| Ideas & Analysis | Quality and originality of ideas. |
| Development & Support | Strength of arguments and discussions. |
| Organization | Clarity of structure and logical flow. |
| Language Use & Conventions | Grammar, style, and appropriate word choice. |
Sample Prompt: Discuss the benefits and challenges of integrating technology into daily life.
ACT Exam Scoring
ACT exam composite score and each test score for English, mathematics, reading, and science rangers from 1 (low) to 36 (high). The composite score refers to the average of your test scores, which is rounded to the nearest whole number. The fractions less than one-half are rounded down and fractions one-half or more is rounded up.
Score 34+ on ACT
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