English Section
75 questions · 45 minutes · 5 passages
Tests grammar, usage, rhetoric, and organization within the context of full prose passages.
Punctuation
Conventions of Standard English — 51-56%Tests your knowledge of commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, dashes, and periods. Questions ask you to choose correct punctuation within and between sentences.
Example Question
The research team, which included scientists from three countries[BLANK] published its findings last spring.
Strategy Tip
If a clause between commas can be removed without breaking the sentence, it needs commas on both sides. A semicolon connects two independent clauses; a comma alone cannot.
Grammar & Usage
Conventions of Standard English — 51-56%Covers subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, verb tense consistency, pronoun case, and comparative/superlative forms.
Example Question
Each of the students in the advanced biology classes [has/have] completed the required lab hours.
Strategy Tip
Strip away prepositional phrases to find the true subject. 'Each' is singular, so it takes a singular verb regardless of what follows 'of.'
Sentence Structure
Conventions of Standard English — 51-56%Tests your ability to recognize and fix run-on sentences, comma splices, fragments, misplaced modifiers, and faulty parallelism.
Example Question
Running through the park at dawn, the sunrise painted the sky in shades of pink and gold. [Is this sentence correct?]
Strategy Tip
A participial phrase at the start of a sentence must modify the subject that follows. Here, 'running through the park' dangles because 'the sunrise' is not doing the running.
Topic Development
Production of Writing — 29-32%Asks whether to add, revise, or delete a sentence. Tests whether a detail supports the paragraph's main idea or is irrelevant.
Example Question
The writer is considering adding the following sentence. Should the writer make this addition? [Yes/No, because...]
Strategy Tip
Always identify the paragraph's main point first. If the proposed sentence supports it with relevant detail, keep it. If it introduces an unrelated tangent, delete it.
Organization, Unity & Cohesion
Production of Writing — 29-32%Tests logical ordering of sentences within a paragraph, placement of new sentences, and effective transitions between ideas.
Example Question
For the sake of the logic and coherence of this paragraph, Sentence 5 should be placed: [before Sentence 1 / after Sentence 2 / where it is now]
Strategy Tip
Look for chronological clues, pronoun references, and transition words. A sentence should logically follow from what comes before it and lead into what comes after.
Word Choice, Style & Tone
Knowledge of Language — 13-19%Tests choosing the most precise or appropriate word for context, eliminating wordiness, and maintaining a consistent tone throughout a passage.
Example Question
Which choice maintains the essay's formal, academic tone? A) got rid of B) eliminated C) threw out D) ditched
Strategy Tip
Match the word to the passage's tone. Academic passages need formal diction. When two choices are both grammatically correct, pick the one that is more concise and precise.
Math Section
60 questions · 60 minutes · Calculator allowed
All multiple choice. Covers pre-algebra through early college math. Calculator permitted for all questions.
Number & Quantity
Preparing for Higher Math — 57-60%Covers real and complex numbers, integer and rational exponents, vectors, and matrices. Tests number properties, operations, and numerical reasoning.
Example Question
What is the value of |3 - 7i|, where i is the imaginary unit?
Strategy Tip
The modulus of a complex number a + bi is sqrt(a^2 + b^2). For this problem: sqrt(9 + 49) = sqrt(58). Know your number properties cold.
Algebra
Preparing for Higher Math — 57-60%Linear, polynomial, radical, and exponential expressions and equations. Includes solving systems of equations and working with inequalities.
Example Question
If 3(2x - 4) = 18, what is the value of x?
Strategy Tip
Distribute first, then isolate the variable. For this problem: 6x - 12 = 18, so 6x = 30 and x = 5. Always check by substituting back.
Functions
Preparing for Higher Math — 57-60%Tests function notation, domain and range, transformations, composition, and inverses. Includes linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
Example Question
If f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1, what is f(-2)?
Strategy Tip
Substitute carefully and watch your signs. f(-2) = 2(4) - 3(-2) + 1 = 8 + 6 + 1 = 15. Parentheses prevent sign errors.
Geometry
Preparing for Higher Math — 57-60%Covers area, volume, surface area, coordinate geometry, congruence, similarity, trigonometry (right triangles and unit circle), and circle properties.
Example Question
A right triangle has legs of length 5 and 12. What is the length of the hypotenuse?
Strategy Tip
Apply the Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Here: 25 + 144 = 169, so c = 13. Memorize common Pythagorean triples: 3-4-5, 5-12-13, 8-15-17.
Statistics & Probability
Preparing for Higher Math — 57-60%Covers mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, probability, counting principles, and data interpretation from graphs and tables.
Example Question
A dataset contains the values 4, 7, 7, 9, 13. What is the median?
Strategy Tip
The median is the middle value when data is ordered. With 5 values, the median is the 3rd value: 7. For even-sized datasets, average the two middle values.
Rates, Percentages & Proportions
Integrating Essential Skills — 40-43%Tests real-world applications: unit rates, percent increase/decrease, proportional reasoning, unit conversions, and multi-step ratio problems.
Example Question
A shirt originally priced at $40 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?
Strategy Tip
25% of $40 = $10, so the sale price is $30. For percent problems, convert to decimals: multiply by 0.25 (not divide). Read carefully whether it asks for the discount amount or the final price.
Area, Volume & Averages
Integrating Essential Skills — 40-43%Applies formulas for area (rectangles, triangles, circles), volume (prisms, cylinders, spheres), and weighted averages in practical contexts.
Example Question
What is the area of a triangle with a base of 10 cm and a height of 6 cm?
Strategy Tip
Area = (1/2) x base x height = (1/2)(10)(6) = 30 cm^2. The ACT provides a formula sheet reference, but memorizing common formulas saves time.
Modeling
Cross-cutting — appears across all content areasTests your ability to set up equations, inequalities, or functions from word problems. Often combines multiple math concepts in a real-world scenario.
Example Question
A car rental costs $25 per day plus $0.15 per mile. Which expression represents the total cost for d days and m miles?
Strategy Tip
Translate words to math systematically: 'per day' means multiply by d, 'per mile' means multiply by m. Total cost = 25d + 0.15m. Define variables before writing the equation.
Reading Section
40 questions · 35 minutes · 4 passages (1 paired)
Passages from prose fiction/literary narrative, social science, humanities, and natural science.
Main Idea & Central Theme
Key Ideas & DetailsAsks you to identify the primary purpose, main idea, or central argument of a passage or paragraph. Tests comprehension of the big picture.
Example Question
The main idea of the passage is best described as:
Strategy Tip
Read the first and last paragraphs carefully — they usually frame the main idea. The correct answer should cover the entire passage, not just one detail.
Supporting Details
Key Ideas & DetailsAsks you to locate specific information stated in the passage. These are factual recall questions — the answer is directly in the text.
Example Question
According to the passage, what reason does the author give for the decline in pollinator populations?
Strategy Tip
Go back to the passage and find the exact lines. Do not rely on memory. The correct answer will be a close paraphrase of what is stated in the text.
Relationships & Sequences
Key Ideas & DetailsTests understanding of cause-and-effect, comparison-contrast, and chronological relationships between ideas or events in the passage.
Example Question
Based on the passage, what was the primary cause of the shift in agricultural practices described in the third paragraph?
Strategy Tip
Look for signal words: 'because,' 'therefore,' 'as a result,' 'in contrast,' 'before,' 'after.' These words reveal the logical relationship between ideas.
Word Meaning in Context
Craft & StructureAsks for the meaning of a word or phrase as used in a specific part of the passage. The correct answer depends on context, not the most common definition.
Example Question
As it is used in line 37, the word 'cultivated' most nearly means:
Strategy Tip
Substitute each answer choice into the sentence. The correct answer preserves the original meaning of the sentence. Beware of answer choices that are valid definitions of the word but do not fit the context.
Author's Purpose & Perspective
Craft & StructureTests why the author wrote the passage or included a specific detail, and what perspective or bias the author brings to the subject.
Example Question
The author most likely includes the anecdote in paragraph 2 in order to:
Strategy Tip
Ask: what work does this part do for the argument? Does it provide evidence, illustrate a contrast, create empathy, or establish credibility?
Text Structure & Organization
Craft & StructureAsks how the passage or a section of it is organized — chronologically, by comparison, problem-solution, cause-effect, or order of importance.
Example Question
The overall structure of the passage can best be described as:
Strategy Tip
Skim each paragraph's opening sentence to map the passage structure. Common structures: chronological narrative, claim-then-evidence, problem-solution, compare-contrast.
Comparing Passages
Integration of KnowledgeThe ACT Reading section includes a paired passage set (Passage A and Passage B). Questions ask you to compare the authors' viewpoints, evidence, or rhetorical strategies.
Example Question
Unlike the author of Passage A, the author of Passage B suggests that:
Strategy Tip
Identify each author's main claim before answering comparison questions. Most questions hinge on where the two authors agree, disagree, or focus on different aspects of the same topic.
Evaluating Arguments & Generalizations
Integration of KnowledgeAsks you to assess the strength of an argument, identify assumptions, or determine whether a conclusion is supported by the evidence presented.
Example Question
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's central argument?
Strategy Tip
Identify the author's conclusion and the evidence supporting it. A weakener introduces information that breaks the link between evidence and conclusion.
Science Section
40 questions · 35 minutes · 6-7 passages
Tests data interpretation, experimental analysis, and scientific reasoning — not memorized science facts. No calculator allowed.
Data Representation
30-40% of Science sectionPresents graphs, tables, scatterplots, or diagrams and asks you to read, interpret, and draw conclusions from the data. No specialized science knowledge required.
Example Question
Based on Figure 1, at what temperature did the reaction rate reach its maximum?
Strategy Tip
Read axis labels and units first. Trace your finger along the data to find the answer. Most questions can be answered by careful reading — no calculations needed.
Identifying Trends & Patterns
Data Representation — 30-40%Asks you to identify whether a relationship is direct (both increase), inverse (one increases while the other decreases), or has no clear pattern.
Example Question
Based on the data in Table 1, as the concentration of Solution X increased, the pH of the mixture:
Strategy Tip
Look at two columns in the table: does one go up as the other goes up (direct) or down (inverse)? If the pattern is inconsistent, the answer is 'no clear relationship.'
Understanding Experimental Design
Research Summaries — 45-55%Describes one or more experiments and asks about the purpose, procedure, variables (independent, dependent, controlled), and methodology.
Example Question
In Experiment 2, what was the independent variable?
Strategy Tip
The independent variable is what the scientist intentionally changes. The dependent variable is what is measured. Controlled variables are kept constant. Read the experiment description before answering.
Analyzing Results & Drawing Conclusions
Research Summaries — 45-55%Asks what conclusions can be drawn from experimental results, whether a hypothesis is supported, or what would happen if conditions changed.
Example Question
Based on the results of Experiment 1, which hypothesis is best supported?
Strategy Tip
Match the data to the hypothesis. A supported hypothesis is one whose predictions match the observed results. If the data contradicts the prediction, the hypothesis is not supported.
Predicting New Experiments
Research Summaries — 45-55%Asks you to predict what would happen if an experiment were modified — a new variable added, a condition changed, or the procedure extended.
Example Question
If Experiment 1 were repeated with a temperature of 50 degrees C instead of 30 degrees C, the reaction rate would most likely:
Strategy Tip
Use the existing data to identify the trend, then extend it logically. If higher temperatures increased the rate in the data, predict that an even higher temperature would continue the trend (unless a plateau or reversal is shown).
Comparing Scientific Viewpoints
Conflicting Viewpoints — 15-20%Presents two or more scientists, students, or theories with different explanations for the same phenomenon. Questions ask you to identify agreements, disagreements, and the evidence each side uses.
Example Question
Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 would most likely agree that:
Strategy Tip
Read each viewpoint separately and summarize it in one sentence before answering questions. Most questions ask: where do they agree? Where do they disagree? What evidence would change their minds?
Evaluating Viewpoints with Evidence
Conflicting Viewpoints — 15-20%Asks which new piece of evidence would strengthen or weaken a particular scientist's viewpoint, or which viewpoint is better supported by the data presented.
Example Question
Which of the following findings, if true, would most weaken Scientist 2's hypothesis?
Strategy Tip
Identify the core claim of the viewpoint. Then determine what kind of evidence would contradict it. A weakener breaks the logical link between the evidence and the conclusion.
See These Question Types in Action
Practice with realistic sample questions — with full explanations for every answer.