The ACT
The other US college admission test, shorter since 2025, with science now optional.
The ACT tests English, maths and reading, and colleges in the US accept it on equal terms with the SAT. The enhanced ACT, introduced in 2025, is shorter, and science and writing are optional add-ons.
Overview
The ACT and the SAT are accepted equally by US colleges, so many students try both and pick the one that suits them. The ACT has more questions per minute and tests a wider range of maths, while its reading passages are longer. Since 2025 the enhanced ACT has fewer questions, more time per question and a shorter core test, and the science section, once compulsory, is now an optional add-on.
Before you register, check what your colleges ask for. Some programmes, especially in science and engineering, may still like to see a science score, and a few colleges want the writing section. Because the format changed recently, use official practice tests and up-to-date books. Most students take the ACT more than once, and with super-scoring, improving one section on a second attempt can lift your result.
The sections
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English 35 minutes
Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and how a text is organised. 50 questions.
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Math 50 minutes
Algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability. 45 questions, with a calculator.
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Reading 40 minutes
Passages from literature, social science, humanities and natural science. 36 questions.
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Science (optional) 40 minutes
Reading graphs, tables and experiments and drawing conclusions. 40 questions.
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Writing (optional) 40 minutes
An essay that weighs different views on an issue.
How it's scored
English, Math and Reading are each scored from 1 to 36, and the composite is their average. Science, if you take it, gets its own score and a STEM score with Math, but doesn't count in the composite. Writing is scored separately. There is no penalty for wrong answers, and many colleges super-score the ACT across test dates.
How to prepare
- Make sure your practice material is for the enhanced ACT: the timing and question counts changed in 2025.
- Ask your colleges whether they want the Science or Writing sections before you register.
- Pacing matters: practise full sections with a timer.
- Try a practice SAT and a practice ACT, then focus on the one that suits you.
Official pages
Dates, registration and fees change from year to year, so check them on the official pages.