The ACT test: format, scores, dates and practice questions
The ACT test is a US college admissions test from ACT Education Corp. with three core sections, English, math and reading, that take 2 hours 5 minutes, plus optional science and writing sections of 40 minutes each. Each section is scored 1 to 36, your Composite is the average of English, math and reading, and the base fee is $70.
- Core sections
- English (50 questions, 35 min), math (45 questions, 50 min), reading (36 questions, 40 min)ACT exam sections and structure, checked 19 October 2026
- Optional sections
- Science (40 questions, 40 min) and writing (1 essay, 40 min)ACT exam sections and structure, checked 19 October 2026
- Test time
- 2 hours 5 minutes, plus 40 minutes per optional sectionACT vs. SAT page, checked 19 October 2026
- Score scale
- 1 to 36 per section; Composite is the average of English, math and readingACT, Understanding your scores, checked 19 October 2026
- Base fee
- $70 (English, math and reading)ACT fees page, checked 19 October 2026
- Format
- Paper or onlineACT registration page, checked 19 October 2026
- Next national test date
- December 12, 2026 (registration deadline November 6)ACT national test dates, checked 19 October 2026
- Score release
- Approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the testACT national test dates, checked 19 October 2026
- Retakes
- No limit on the number of attemptsACT, Reasons to retest, checked 19 October 2026
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Why you can trust these ACT questions
What is the ACT test?
The ACT test is a college admissions and readiness test for high school students in the United States. ACT introduced it in 1959, and ACT states that its nationally normed scores are accepted by all four-year US colleges and universities.
When people search for the ACT exam or the ACT test, they mean the same thing: one sitting with English, math and reading, and the option to add science and writing. There is no pass or fail; colleges look at your scores.
Source: ACT Newsroom — About the ACT test (press kit). Checked 19 October 2026.
What does ACT test stand for?
On the pages we checked, ACT does not spell out the letters. ACT is the name of the organization behind the test, ACT Education Corp., and the test itself is simply called the ACT. Any expansion you see elsewhere is not stated on ACT’s own pages, so this page does not repeat one.
Source: ACT Newsroom — About the ACT test (press kit). Checked 19 October 2026.
ACT exam format and ACT exam time
The ACT exam time for the three core sections is 2 hours 5 minutes. Science and writing are optional and add 40 minutes each, so a test with both optional sections runs 3 hours 25 minutes of testing time. Sections come in the order English, math, reading, then science, with writing last.
Some questions in each section are unscored, which you cannot tell apart from the rest. Your section scores are based only on the number of questions you answer correctly, so there is no penalty for guessing.
- English: 50 questions (40 scored), 35 minutes
- Math: 45 questions (41 scored), 50 minutes
- Reading: 36 questions (27 scored), 40 minutes
- Science (optional): 40 questions (34 scored), 40 minutes
- Writing (optional): 1 essay, 40 minutes
Source: ACT — What’s on the ACT Test? Exam sections and structure. Checked 19 October 2026.
ACT scores: how the ACT is scored
Every multiple-choice section gets an ACT score from 1 to 36. Your Composite is the average of your English, math and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. ACT began phasing science out of the Composite for national online testing in April 2025.
If you take science, you also get a STEM score, the average of math and science. Writing is scored 2 to 12 and does not affect the Composite; it feeds an ELA score together with English and reading. If you test more than once, ACT reports a superscore: the average of your highest section scores across test dates.
Source: ACT — Understanding your ACT scores. Checked 19 October 2026.
SAT vs ACT test
ACT’s own comparison puts the differences like this. The ACT can be taken on paper or online, is the same linear test for every student, scores each section 1 to 36, and offers optional science and writing. ACT describes the SAT as digital only and adaptive, with two sections scored 200 to 800 each and no science section.
For the ACT exam vs SAT question, ACT says both tests are equally accepted at all accredited US colleges and universities, and that their questions have very similar average difficulty, so it comes down to preference. ACT points to official ACT/SAT concordance tables for comparing scores.
Source: ACT — ACT vs. SAT. Checked 19 October 2026.
ACT test calculator rules
A calculator is allowed only on the math section. Four-function, scientific and graphing models are permitted unless ACT prohibits them. Models with computer algebra system (CAS) functionality are banned, including all model numbers beginning with TI-89 or TI-92; the non-CAS TI-Nspire is permitted. Phone and tablet calculators are not allowed.
If you test online, the Desmos graphing calculator is built into the testing platform during math. On paper, you must bring your own permitted calculator for the ACT exam, because testing staff do not provide one. Breaking the calculator policy gets you dismissed.
Source: ACT — Calculator policy. Checked 19 October 2026.
How to sign up for ACT test dates
To sign up for ACT test dates, create a MyACT account and register online; you need a payment method. You choose paper or online testing and a test center. The base fee is $70 for English, math and reading. ACT advises taking the test at least two months before your earliest college and scholarship application deadlines.
The next national test date is December 12, 2026, with a registration deadline of November 6 and a late deadline of November 29. After that comes February 27, 2027, with a deadline of January 22.
Searches for ACT test org or the ACT test website lead to the same place: act.org, run by ACT Education Corp. Registration, scores and the free official practice material all sit there.
Source: ACT — National test dates 2026-2027. Checked 19 October 2026.
Free ACT practice questions and ACT prep from ACT
ACT publishes free ACT practice questions itself. Practice Tests 1 to 4 are available as an online ACT practice test with a scoring guide and as a downloadable paper booklet, and each one works as a sample ACT test or a full mock ACT exam if you time it. Practice by Section has ACT test sample questions in every subject, QuizMe offers quick practice with answers, and a free MyACT account adds a Question of the Day with explanations.
That is a lot of free ACT practice online before you spend anything on ACT prep. Good ACT testing prep uses those official tests to find your weak section first. The main ACT prep book is ACT’s own Official ACT Prep Guide, currently the 2026 to 2027 edition with four full-length practice tests.
Source: ACT — Free ACT practice tests and prep. Checked 19 October 2026.
ACT practice test math and ACT test math questions
The ACT test math section has 45 questions in 50 minutes. ACT splits it into Preparing for Higher Math, about 80% of the section, and Integrating Essential Skills, about 20%. ACT test math questions reward speed: a little over a minute per question.
For ACT practice math, take one ACT practice test math section under time first, then sort your mistakes by topic. Work math ACT practice problems in your weakest category, and practise with the calculator you will bring, or with Desmos if you test online. ACT also publishes free calculator help videos.
Source: ACT — Preparing for the ACT Test 2025/2026. Checked 19 October 2026.
English ACT practice test
English is 50 questions in 35 minutes, the fastest pace on the test. ACT weights it as Production of Writing (38 to 43%), Knowledge of Language (18 to 23%) and Conventions of Standard English (38 to 43%).
An ACT practice test for English should be timed strictly. When you review an English ACT practice test, check whether you lost points on grammar rules or on questions about the purpose and organization of a passage, because they need different fixes.
Source: ACT — Preparing for the ACT Test 2025/2026. Checked 19 October 2026.
PreACT, the pre-ACT exam and WorkKeys
PreACT is ACT’s practice assessment and indicator of success on the ACT. What people call the pre-ACT exam comes in versions for eighth or ninth grade (PreACT 8/9) and ninth or tenth grade (PreACT). It is ordered by states, districts and schools, not booked by students individually, and it covers English, math, reading and science.
ACT WorkKeys is a different program: assessments of job-related skills that can lead to the National Career Readiness Certificate. If you need a WorkKeys ACT practice test, ACT offers free online practice tests for WorkKeys through the WorkKeys login. They do not prepare you for the ACT college admissions test.
Source: ACT — PreACT FAQs. Checked 19 October 2026.
ACT practice questions
Certsqill’s ACT practice questions are expert-developed and organized by ACT section, so your ACT practice targets English, math, reading or science instead of whole tests every time.
Each of the ACT test practice questions comes with an explanation for every answer option, and your results build a readiness score per section, so you can see which part needs work before test day. A 7-day money-back guarantee applies.
ACT questions people ask
What is the ACT exam?
A US college admissions test with English, math and reading sections, plus optional science and writing. Each section is scored 1 to 36. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
How long is the ACT?
2 hours 5 minutes for English, math and reading. Science and writing add 40 minutes each. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
How are ACT scores calculated?
Your Composite is the average of your English, math and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Writing does not count towards it. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
What is the difference between SAT and ACT test?
According to ACT, the ACT is offered on paper or online, is not adaptive, scores sections 1 to 36 and has optional science; ACT describes the SAT as digital only and adaptive, with two sections scored 200 to 800 each. Both are accepted by accredited US colleges. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
What does the ACT test stand for?
ACT does not spell out the letters on the pages we checked. ACT is the name of the organization, ACT Education Corp., that makes the test.
Which calculator for ACT exam day is allowed?
Only on the math section. Four-function, scientific and graphing calculators are allowed unless prohibited; CAS models such as the TI-89 and TI-92 are banned. Source: ACT calculator policy, checked 19 October 2026.
How much does the ACT cost?
$70 for English, math and reading. Science adds $5 and writing adds $25 for testing in the US. Source: ACT fees page, checked 19 October 2026.
When is the next ACT test date?
December 12, 2026. The registration deadline is November 6 and the late deadline November 29. Source: ACT national test dates, checked 19 October 2026.
Where can I find free ACT practice tests?
ACT offers Practice Tests 1 to 4 for free, online and as paper booklets, plus free sample questions by section. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
How many times can you take the ACT?
There is no limit. You cannot retake single sections, but ACT reports a superscore. Source: ACT, checked 19 October 2026.
