What Is the ACT®?
Your guide to everything you need to know about the ACT, including recent test changes, exam structure, test fees, and more.
About the ACT
The ACT is a standardized, multiple-choice entrance exam used by colleges and universities to evaluate high school readiness and make undergraduate admissions decisions. Administered by the non-profit organization of the same name, the ACT test measures student proficiency across three mandatory core sections: English, Math, and Reading. Students may also choose to take an optional Science section and/or a Writing essay. ACT scoring is based on a scale of 1 to 36, and colleges look at this composite score alongside high school GPAs, extracurriculars, and application essays to determine a student’s academic qualifications.
ACT Test Changes
In 2025, the ACT introduced major, student-friendly changes designed to reduce test fatigue and increase flexibility. Most notably, the updated ACT features fewer questions and more time per question, and it remains a non-adaptive test (the difficulty of questions does not change based on how you perform during the exam). The ACT Science section is now optional, joining the Writing test as an elective, though the core Science content now includes more foundational knowledge and engineering topics. Additionally, the required Math section has changed from 5 answer choices to 4, while the English and Reading sections feature shorter passages and fewer questions, with English adding specific question stems to help you focus on what is being tested.
Students can now choose between the traditional paper-and-pencil exam and a computer-based ACT taken at an official testing center. Both formats cost the same, allow scratch paper, and permit your own calculator; however, the digital version adds built-in tools like text highlighting, the Desmos graphing calculator, and accessibility features (like zoom and answer masking). Unscored experimental questions are now seamlessly blended into every test section rather than appearing in a separate fifth section, meaning you should treat every question as if it counts. Ultimately, the ACT content remains rooted in high school readiness, but the new format offers unprecedented flexibility to match your personal testing preference.
[ KEEP READING: ACT Updates: Latest Changes to the Exam ]
ACT Structure
The ACT is 2 hours and 5 minutes long and is made up of multiple-choice questions that test three subject areas: English, Math, and Reading. The optional Writing section is 40 minutes, and the optional Science section is 40 minutes.
Test | Allotted Time (Minutes) | Question Count |
|---|---|---|
English | 35 | 50 |
Math | 50 | 45 |
Reading | 40 | 36 |
Science (optional) | 40 | 40 |
Writing (optional) | 40 | 1 |
ACT Content
The ACT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that measures college readiness across three mandatory test sections (English, Math, and Reading), plus an optional Science section and one optional Writing essay.
Here is a breakdown of what content is tested on each ACT section:
- English (35 Minutes | 50 Questions): Tests your ability to revise passages for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice, and organizational flow, with every question now featuring a helpful guiding prompt.
- Math (50 Minutes | 45 Questions): Tests core algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics using streamlined, less wordy questions that now feature 4 answer choices instead of 5.
- Reading (40 Minutes | 36 Questions): Tests your literal comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to evaluate arguments across Literary Narrative and Informational passage types.
- Optional Science (40 Minutes | 40 Questions): Tests your ability to interpret data graphs, analyze experimental designs (including new engineering/design topics), and compare conflicting hypotheses.
- Optional Writing (40 Minutes | 1 Essay): Tests your persuasive writing skills by requiring you to argue your own perspective on a complex issue while explicitly comparing it to three provided viewpoints.
ACT Test Dates & Registration
For students testing in the United States or U.S. territories, the ACT is offered each school year on seven Saturday test dates. Typically, exams are offered in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. You can take the ACT up to 12 times. Some states offer special administrations of the ACT on different dates. Non-Saturday testing is available by request for students requiring religious or other exemptions.
The ACT is administered at schools around the country that serve as testing centers. Your high school may or may not be a testing center. Visit the ACT website for a list of testing centers near you and up-to-date information about the test. Historically, students have needed to register for the ACT approximately one month in advance to avoid paying a late fee.
Students who are testing outside of the United States or U.S. territories should visit the ACT website for test date and test center information.
ACT Exam Fees
The following ACT exam fees include a report for you, your high school, and up to four colleges.
Exam Type | Amount ($) |
|---|---|
The Core ACT Test (English, Math, Reading) | $70 |
Optional Science Add-On | +$5 |
Optional Writing Add-On | +$25 |
ACT Scoring
ACT scoring can seem a bit complex. You will receive one scaled score ranging from 1 to 36 for each required test (English, Math, and Reading), and these scores will be averaged to calculate your composite score. You will receive a separate score for the optional Science and Writing Tests, if you choose to take either.
In addition to your overall scores, you will receive subscores that provide a deeper analysis of your ACT performance—including a STEM score if you take the optional Science section, or an ELA score if you opt for the Writing essay. The ACT also gives you a percentile ranking, which allows you to compare your scores with those of other test takers. For example, a student who scored in the 83rd percentile did better than 83 percent of all others who took that test.
[ LEARN MORE: What’s a Good ACT Score? ]
How to Prep for the ACT
To prep effectively for the ACT, start by taking a full-length diagnostic exam to establish a baseline score and pinpoint your weak spots. From there, build a study schedule that balances content review—like mastering grammar rules and geometry formulas—with section-specific pacing strategies to handle the exam's strict time constraints. Because the ACT is a predictable test, practicing consistently with high-quality, realistic materials is the best way to build test-day confidence and improve your ACT score.
For top-tier preparation, utilizing resources from Kaplan ensures you are studying the exact material you will see on test day. You can kick off your studying for free by attending our Free Live Online ACT Events. If you’re looking for structured guidance, a score guarantee, or interactive lessons, explore the full lineup of self-paced, live online, and tutoring options on the Kaplan ACT Prep Courses page.
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Let our expert teachers be your guide with a prep course that fits your schedule. No matter what stage of ACT prep you’re in, Kaplan can help raise your score.