ACT – Overview

TESTINGMOM – The Trusted Leader in Gifted Test Prep

Join the 1 Million+ families who we have helped over the last 15 years.

WHAT CHANGED WITH THE ENHANCED ACT?

The Enhanced ACT is shorter, more flexible, and gives students more time per question than the old format. Here are the major changes every parent should know:

Science is now optional. It is no longer a required section. Students can add it for an additional $4 if their target colleges recommend or require it.

Fewer questions, more time. The total number of scored questions on the core test dropped from 215 to 131. Students get roughly 22% more time per question across every section.

Three core sections instead of four. The composite score is now the average of English, Math, and Reading only. Science no longer factors into the composite.

Math has four answer choices instead of five. This change reduces the pressure to guess and gives students a better statistical chance on questions they’re unsure about.

Digital and paper options. Students can now choose to take the ACT on paper or digitally at authorized test centers. The content is identical either way. Digital does not mean at home. The test is still proctored in person.

HOW IS THE ENHANCED ACT STRUCTURED?

The three required sections are always given in this order:
English comes first. 50 questions in 35 minutes. This section tests a student’s ability to revise and edit written passages. Skills assessed include punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, rhetorical skills, and style. Students read passages and choose the best options to improve clarity, organization, and correctness. At 42 seconds per question, this remains the fastest-paced section on the test.

Math comes second. 45 questions in 50 minutes, with four answer choices per question. Calculators are permitted. The Math section covers a broad range of topics:
Pre-Algebra and Elementary Algebra includes basic operations, exponents, square roots, fractions, percentages, and simple equations.
Intermediate Algebra and Coordinate Geometry includes systems of equations, polynomials, quadratic equations, graphing, slope, and conic sections.
Plane Geometry and Trigonometry includes angles, triangles, circles, congruence, trigonometric functions, and identities.
Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability include interpreting graphs and charts, measures of central tendency and variability, and basic probability.

Reading comes third. 36 questions in 40 minutes. Students read four passages (approximately 750 words each) and answer nine questions per passage. The four passage categories are:
Prose Fiction covers excerpts from novels, short stories, and other narrative works.
Social Studies draws on texts from fields such as anthropology, psychology, and sociology.
The humanities encompass texts related to art, music, philosophy, and similar disciplines.
Natural Science covers texts from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science.
Skills assessed in Reading include main idea comprehension, inference, vocabulary in context, author’s purpose and tone, compare and contrast, and logical reasoning.

WHAT ABOUT THE OPTIONAL SECTIONS?

Science (Optional) has 40 questions in 40 minutes and is available for an additional $4. It assesses a student’s ability to interpret and analyze scientific information through three question formats:
Data Representation tests the ability to read and understand graphs, charts, and tables from scientific experiments.
Research Summaries present descriptions of experiments and ask students to analyze the methods and results.
Conflicting Viewpoints present two or more perspectives on a scientific issue and ask students to evaluate and compare them.
The Science section does not require memorized content. The information needed to answer each question is provided in the passages, graphs, and tables. However, familiarity with basic science terminology from high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science is helpful.
If your child adds Science, they will receive a separate Science score and a STEM score (the average of Math and Science). The Science score does not count toward the composite.

Writing (Optional) is a 40-minute essay. Students read an issue with three perspectives, state their own position, and analyze the relationship between their perspective and at least one other viewpoint. Two readers score the essay on a scale of 2 to 12 based on four domains: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use. The Writing section costs an additional $25. Very few colleges currently require it.

HOW IS THE ACT SCORED?

Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The composite score is the average of the three core section scores (English, Math, and Reading), rounded to the nearest whole number. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so students should answer every question.

What is a good ACT score?
A score of 28 or higher places a student in approximately the 90th percentile, meaning they scored better than 90% of test-takers. A score of 24 or higher reaches the 75th percentile. A score of 20 or higher reaches the 50th percentile. What counts as a “good” score depends on each college’s admissions expectations.

What is superscoring?
Many colleges accept ACT superscores. Superscoring combines a student’s best section scores from multiple test dates to create a higher composite score. Under the Enhanced ACT, the superscore composite uses the EMR method (English, Math, and Reading). Science is superscored separately as a standalone data point but does not affect the main composite.

HOW MUCH DOES THE ACT COST?

The core ACT (English, Math, and Reading) costs $68. Adding the optional Science section is $4 more. Adding the optional Writing section is $25 more. Late registration adds $40. Score reports are sent to the student’s high school and up to four colleges if entered during registration. Fee waivers are available for qualifying students.

HOW IS THE ACT DIFFERENT FROM THE SAT?

The ACT and SAT are both accepted by all U.S. colleges, but they test differently:
Science section. The ACT offers a dedicated (optional) Science section. The SAT integrates science-related content into its Reading, Writing, and Math sections but has no standalone Science test.
Vocabulary. The SAT places a stronger emphasis on vocabulary in context.
Math emphasis. The ACT covers a broader range of math topics, including trigonometry, matrices, and logarithms, with more straightforward problems. The SAT emphasizes geometry, data analysis, and multi-step reasoning problems. The SAT also includes a no-calculator section.
Pacing. The Enhanced ACT is shorter overall (about 2 hours for the core) but still moves quickly. The SAT gives more time per question.
Question style. ACT questions tend to be more direct and achievement-based. SAT questions require more reasoning and analytical thinking.
Test format. The SAT is fully digital. The ACT offers both digital and paper options.

Students often perform better on one test than the other depending on their strengths. A student who is strong in science, reads quickly, and prefers straightforward questions may favor the ACT. A student who excels at vocabulary and analytical reasoning but needs more time per question may favor the SAT.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILD PREPARE FOR THE ACT?

TestingMom.com offers one-to-one online tutoring for the ACT to help your child improve their score.

Call 877-609-6203 or email online.tutoring@testingmom.com to learn more.

TESTINGMOM – The Trusted Leader in Gifted Test Prep

• 1M+ families helped
• 15+ years supporting test prep families
• Created by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom, the foremost expert on gifted tests

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the ACT test? The ACT is a standardized college admissions test published by ACT, Inc. that measures a high school student’s readiness for college-level work in English, math, and reading, with optional science and writing sections.

How many questions are on the ACT in 2026? The core Enhanced ACT has 131 scored questions: 50 English, 45 Math, and 36 Reading. Adding the optional Science section brings the total to 171. The test also includes embedded experimental questions that do not count toward the score.

How long does the ACT take? The three core sections take approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Adding Science extends the test to about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Adding Writing brings the total to approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Is the ACT Science section required? No. As of 2025, Science is optional on the national ACT. Some colleges, programs, or state-administered school-day tests may still require or recommend it. Students should check the requirements of their target schools.

What is a good ACT score? A composite score of 28 or higher places a student in the 90th percentile. A 24 reaches the 75th percentile. What counts as “good” depends on the admissions standards of the colleges a student is applying to.

Should my child take the ACT or the SAT? It depends on their strengths. The ACT favors students who read quickly, handle a broad range of math topics, and prefer straightforward questions. The SAT favors students who excel at analytical reasoning and vocabulary. Taking a practice test for each is the best way to decide.

Can you use a calculator on the ACT Math section? Yes. Calculators are permitted throughout the entire Math section on the Enhanced ACT. Students should check ACT’s list of approved calculators before test day.

Does the ACT have a penalty for wrong answers? No. Only correct answers count toward the raw score. There is no penalty for guessing, so students should answer every question.
What part of ACT prep has been the biggest challenge for your family? Would love to hear what’s working and what’s not.

See if TestingMom.com supports your child’s test by your school district. If you don't see your child's school district listed, check with us! We have practice for other tests as well.