ACT, Inc.
ACT
ACT College Admissions Test
The college admissions test taken by over a million US high-school students each year. Scores on a 1–36 composite scale feed admissions and scholarship decisions at most US colleges.
What's on the exam
ACT national test (enhanced format)
English
~25%Production of writing · Knowledge of language · Conventions of standard English · Punctuation and sentence structure · Rhetorical skills
Math
~25%Algebra and functions · Geometry · Number and quantity · Statistics and probability · Modeling · Integrating essential skills
Reading
~25%Key ideas and details · Craft and structure · Integration of knowledge and ideas · Paired-passage comparison · Vocabulary in context
Science
~25%Interpretation of data · Scientific investigation · Evaluation of models and results · Inferences and experimental design · Graphs and tables
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ACT cost?
The ACT costs $69. Base registration; optional writing section and late registration cost extra (fees change yearly).
How long is the ACT and how many questions does it have?
Roughly 130–215 questions depending on format and optional sections — About 2–3 hours, plus optional writing.
What do you need to pass the ACT?
No pass/fail — composite score of 1–36; competitive targets vary by college.
Can you retake the ACT?
Offered on multiple national test dates per year; up to 12 total attempts allowed.
What is the best way to study for the ACT?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (English ~25%, Math ~25%, Reading ~25%, Science ~25%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 7 exam.
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