ACT publishes more about what it tests than most admissions exams: for every section it gives the number of questions, how many of them are scored, the time allowed and the percentage range of questions in each reporting category. The "enhanced ACT", in use for National online testing from April 2025 and on paper for the National Saturday test from September 2025, also made Science an optional add-on and changed what the Composite score is made of. This page sets out the structure and content from ACT's own pages, alongside the Myndaq ACT course.
The sections
- English — 50 questions (40 scored), 35 minutes
- Math — 45 questions (41 scored), 50 minutes
- Reading — 36 questions (27 scored), 40 minutes
- Science — 40 questions (34 scored), 40 minutes — optional add-on
- Writing — 1 essay, 40 minutes — optional add-on
The difference between total and scored questions means some questions in each section do not count towards your score, and you cannot tell which. Answer every one as if it counts.
Adding up the section times: English, Math and Reading take 125 minutes; with Science, 165; with Science and Writing, 205. Those figures are section time only, not including any breaks.
English — 35 minutes
ACT describes it as testing grammar, usage and rhetorical skills. Its reporting categories:
- Production of Writing — 38 to 43%
- Knowledge of Language — 18 to 23%
- Conventions of Standard English — 38 to 43%
Going by the category names, and by how practice material including Myndaq's bank models them: Production of Writing covers purpose, focus and organisation (should this sentence be added, deleted or moved?); Knowledge of Language covers precise and concise wording; Conventions covers punctuation, grammar and usage. Conventions and Production together are about four-fifths of the section.
Math — 50 minutes
ACT describes it as mathematical reasoning from pre-algebra through trigonometry. Its reporting categories:
- Preparing for Higher Math — 80%
- Integrating Essential Skills — 20%
A calculator may be used throughout, under ACT's calculator policy. With 45 questions in 50 minutes you have a little over a minute each — enough for most questions, but not if you work out routine algebra from scratch.
Reading — 40 minutes
ACT describes it as comprehension and analysis of literary and informational texts. Its reporting categories:
- Key Ideas and Details — 44 to 52%
- Craft and Structure — 26 to 33%
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas — 19 to 26%
About half the section is comprehension of what the text says; the rest is how it is written and how its ideas connect or compare.
Science (optional) — 40 minutes
ACT describes it as data interpretation and scientific reasoning across biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics. Its reporting categories:
- Interpretation of Data — 38 to 50%
- Scientific Investigation — 18 to 32%
- Evaluating Scientific Arguments and Models with Evidence — 25 to 35%
It is a reasoning test built around experiments, tables and graphs rather than a test of recalled science facts. Whether to take it depends on your colleges: check whether they ask for a Science score or use the STEM score.
Writing (optional) — 40 minutes
One essay in which you develop and support a position on a complex issue, scored in four domains: Ideas and Analysis; Development and Support; Organization; and Language Use and Conventions. The Writing score is reported on a 2–12 scale.
How the ACT is scored
- Each section: 1 to 36.
- Composite: 1 to 36 — the average of English, Math and Reading, rounded to the nearest whole number, with halves rounded up. Science is no longer part of the Composite.
- STEM score — the average of Math and Science, if you take Science.
- ELA score — the average of English, Reading and Writing, if you take Writing.
- Scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Never leave a question blank.
There is no pass mark. Colleges publish the ACT ranges of their admitted students.
What the published content does not tell you
- Which questions are unscored. Each section includes some; they are not identified.
- Questions per reporting category — ACT gives percentage ranges, not counts.
- Break times — not stated on the pages used for this article.
For a study plan, see the ACT preparation guide. For fees, including the non-US price, see ACT fees and registration. For worked questions in every section, see ACT practice questions.
Quick answers
What is on the ACT?
English, Math and Reading, plus optional Science and Writing. The Composite is built from English, Math and Reading only.
How many questions are on the ACT?
131 across English (50), Math (45) and Reading (36), of which 108 are scored; Science adds 40 (34 scored).
Is Science required on the ACT?
No. On the enhanced ACT, Science is an optional add-on and does not count towards the Composite.
Is there negative marking on the ACT?
No. ACT says there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
How long is the ACT?
125 minutes of section time for English, Math and Reading; 165 with Science; 205 with Science and Writing, before breaks.
