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The ACT is one of the two widely accepted standardized tests in college admissions—and one of the most misunderstood. Many students walk into their first test date without a clear picture of what they will actually face. At Great College Advice, we help students approach standardized testing strategically, not anxiously. This guide breaks down exactly what is on the ACT, how each section works, and what all of it means for your college application.
ACT Overview: Structure at a Glance
The ACT consists of three required sections and two optional ones:
- English — 50 questions, 35 minutes
- Math — 45 questions, 50 minutes
- Reading — 36 questions, 40 minutes
- Science (optional) — 40 questions, 40 minutes
- Writing/Essay (optional, separate) — 1 prompt, 40 minutes
Each of the main sections is scored on a scale of 1–36. Those section scores are averaged—not added—to produce a composite score out of 36. This is an important distinction from the SAT, where section scores are added together to reach a maximum of 1600.
As Jamie Berger, veteran college admissions expert at Great College Advice, says: test scores matter less than you think they do, but more than you want them to.
Understanding the structure of the ACT is the first step toward approaching it on your own terms.
The ACT English Section
The English section presents students with passages and asks them to identify grammatical errors, improve sentence structure, and make rhetorical choices about organization and style. It is not a vocabulary quiz or a literature test—it is a practical writing and editing exercise.
What it covers: punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, production of writing (organization, topic development), and knowledge of language (style, tone, word choice).
What it does not cover: spelling or vocabulary definitions.
Students who read regularly and write frequently in school tend to find this section the most natural of the four. Focused review of comma rules, subject-verb agreement, and modifier placement can meaningfully improve scores even for strong writers.
The ACT Math Section
The Math section is entirely multiple choice—unlike the SAT, which includes student-produced response questions where students must write in their own answers. All 45 ACT Math questions present four or five answer choices.
Sarah Farbman, Senior Admissions Consultant at Great College Advice, explains what students can expect: “On the ACT Math, they’re going to ask about number and quantity, algebra—linear functions, systems of equations, polynomial and logarithmic functions—geometry, and statistics and probability. The test is designed to assess knowledge through approximately pre-calculus level. Students do not need to have taken calculus.”
Topics covered:
- Number and quantity (integers, real number properties, negative numbers)
- Algebra (linear functions, systems of equations, polynomial, radical, and logarithmic functions)
- Functions (interpreting and analyzing function behavior)
- Geometry (shapes, solids, coordinate geometry, angles, area, volume)
- Statistics and probability (data interpretation, mean, median, spread)
- Complex word problems requiring multi-step reasoning
Students are permitted to use a calculator for the entire Math section.
The Math section tends to be where students feel the most pressure. Its breadth—spanning several years of high school coursework—means that weaker areas in algebra or geometry can drag down a score even when a student is strong elsewhere. Targeted, gap-focused preparation is far more effective than blanket practice.
The ACT Reading Section
The Reading section presents four passages drawn from distinct subject areas: literary narrative, social science, humanities, and natural science. Students have 40 minutes to read all four passages and answer nine questions per passage.
This section rewards pace as much as comprehension. Students who read slowly under pressure often find the Reading section more demanding than the English section, even though both test verbal skills. Consistent reading practice—especially of nonfiction and dense academic prose—builds the fluency the ACT Reading section demands.
Skill areas tested: identifying the main idea, understanding details in context, determining the meaning of words and phrases, drawing inferences, and comparing multiple perspectives when paired passages appear.
The ACT Science Section (Now Optional)
Despite its name, the Science section is primarily a test of data literacy and reading comprehension—not a measure of memorized scientific knowledge. Students who have never taken chemistry or physics can still perform well on it.
Sarah Farbman explains the distinction: “The Science section is actually a test of reading comprehension—specifically, your ability to read graphs and other scientific material. Three out of four ACT sections test reading and verbal intelligence, and one section tests math.”
What students analyze: data representation (graphs, charts, tables), research summaries (experimental design and results), and conflicting viewpoints (competing scientific hypotheses).
As of recent ACT restructuring, the Science section is optional. Students should confirm current requirements with their test registration and verify whether specific colleges request it. For most students applying to most colleges, taking the optional Science section is not necessary. However, if you are applying to a STEM major, we recommend you take the Science section at least once.
How ACT Scoring Works
Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1–36 scale. The section scores are averaged to produce the composite. Your score report also includes subscores within each section that identify specific skill areas where you excelled or where there is room to grow—information that is especially useful for targeted preparation.
Sarah Farbman’s advice on interpreting score reports: “When you get your ACT score back, you’ll see a composite score out of 36 and sub-scores for each section. It’s equally important to look at where your score fits within the context of your high school. If the average score at your school is a 25 and you get a 28, that’s very strong—colleges should know that.”
For families wondering what qualifies as competitive: most colleges publish the middle 50% score range of admitted students. A score 50% or above is solid and should be submitted as it will benefit your application. At the most selective colleges, strong scores function as a minimum threshold—they won’t secure admission on their own, but low scores could remove an otherwise strong candidate from consideration.
ACT scores are also directly tied to merit-based financial aid at many colleges and universities. A few additional composite points can sometimes mean thousands of dollars in merit scholarship awards.
ACT vs. SAT: Which Should Your Student Take?
Because the ACT leans heavily on reading and verbal reasoning—three of four sections test these skills—students who are stronger readers often perform better on it. The SAT splits more evenly between math and reading/writing, and its math section requires students to produce their own answers to some questions rather than choosing from a list, which some students find more challenging.
The most reliable approach is to take a high-quality diagnostic of both tests before committing to one. After reviewing both results, students can make an informed decision. For more on building a complete college application strategy, see our guide on how to get into college.
What Is Superscoring on the ACT?
Superscoring allows a college to take the highest section score a student earned on each test date and combine those bests into a single composite. If a student scores a 30 in English on their first attempt and a 33 in Math on their second, a school that superscores would count both if it is a student’s best score on each section—rather than either full individual sitting.
Many colleges superscore the ACT, but policies vary. Always confirm each college’s current policy, and work with your counselor to determine which scores to submit and when.
How to Prepare for the ACT
Effective preparation goes well beyond taking practice tests. It requires understanding why you are missing questions—not just that you are missing them.
Sarah Farbman outlines the approach: “What is required is to take high-quality diagnostic tests, then review your mistakes and look for trends and patterns. You have to understand the content you are consistently missing. Sometimes the problem is not a lack of content knowledge—sometimes the issue is test-taking strategy. It’s super important to understand where you’re going wrong and study those specific mistakes.”
Practical preparation steps:
- Take full-length, timed practice tests under realistic conditions
- Analyze every missed question—identify whether the error is a content gap or a strategy issue
- Focus study sessions on specific weak skill areas, not general review
- Use official ACT materials (The Real ACT Prep Guide) for the most accurate test simulation
- Consider working with a private tutor or structured prep course if self-study alone is not producing improvement
For students with documented learning differences, both the ACT and SAT offer testing accommodations—but the application process goes through the student’s high school and can take weeks or months. Families who think their student may qualify should contact their school guidance office as early as possible.
Test-Optional Schools and ACT Strategy
A growing number of colleges have adopted test-optional policies, meaning students can decide whether to submit scores. However, choosing not to submit is not without consequence—admissions offices place more weight on other credentials when scores are absent. Students with strong scores relative to a school’s admitted student profile should generally submit them.
Jamie Berger advises families to treat standardized testing seriously regardless of a school’s test-optional status. A strong score is never a liability. For more context on how testing fits within the full application picture, see our post on high grades vs. hard classes.
Work With an Expert Who Knows the ACT
Standardized testing is one piece of a complex application strategy. Knowing what is on the ACT is the starting point—but knowing how to position a student’s score within their full application is where experienced guidance makes a real difference.
At Great College Advice, we’ve helped thousands of families go through standardized tests and the whole admissions journey. Need expert help? Schedule a free consultation with one of our counselors.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ACT
What is on the ACT? The ACT consists of three required sections—English, Math, and Reading—plus an optional Science section. Each is scored 1–36 and averaged into a composite.
How many questions are on the ACT English section? 50 questions in 35 minutes. It tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills including organization and style.
What math topics are on the ACT? Number and quantity, algebra, functions, geometry, and statistics and probability. All questions are multiple choice. Content reaches through approximately pre-calculus level.
Is the ACT Science section really about science? No. It primarily tests the ability to read and interpret graphs, charts, and experimental data. It is now optional. Prior scientific knowledge is helpful but not required.
How is the ACT scored? Section scores (1–36) are averaged—not added—to produce the composite. Score reports break down performance by skill area within each section.
Should my student take the ACT Writing section? Only if specific colleges on the list require it. Requirements change frequently—verify directly with each school. The Writing score does not affect the composite.
Is the ACT or SAT better for my student? It depends on the student’s strengths. The ACT emphasizes reading and verbal reasoning; the SAT is more evenly split between math and verbal. Taking a diagnostic of each test is the most reliable way to decide.
What is a good ACT score? One that falls at or above the 50% range of admitted students at the colleges your student is targeting. At highly selective schools, strong scores are a near-prerequisite for serious consideration.
What is superscoring on the ACT? A college takes the highest section score from each test date and combines them into one composite. Many colleges superscore the ACT—confirm each school’s policy before deciding what to submit.
How should my student prepare for the ACT? Take realistic, timed practice tests, then carefully review every mistake to identify whether it is a content gap or a strategy issue. Focused, targeted preparation outperforms generalized test-taking practice every time.
