2025l2026
Preparing for
the ACT® Test
What’s Inside
Full-length practice ACT test,
including the optional Science and Writing test
Information about the multiple-choice and
writing sections
Test-taking strategies
What to expect on test day
Esta publicación también se puede ver o
descargar en español
www.act.org
, A Message to Students
This document is an important first step as you get ready for college and your
career.
The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to gain
admission to colleges and universities. Included are helpful hints and test- taking
strategies, as well as a complete practice ACT, with “retired” questions
from earlier test subjects given on previous test dates at ACT test centers. Also
featured are a practice writing test, a sample answer document, answer keys, and
self-scoring instructions.
Read this document carefully and take the practice tests well before test day. That
way, you will be familiar with the test format, test subjects and what they measure, and
strategies you can use to do your best on test day.
You may also want to consider The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan®
to learn test content and strategies in a virtual classroom. To view all of our test
preparation options, go to www.act.org/the-act/testprep.
Overview of the ACT
Contents
The ACT test consists of three multiple-choice
A Message to Students 2 sections—English, mathematics, and reading.
Students may opt to take an optional multiple- choice
Overview of the ACT 2 science section and/or an optional writing section.
Some colleges and universities require or accept
Test-Taking Strategies 3 ACT science or writing scores, so you may consider
taking the science and writing sections.
Prohibited Behavior at the Test Center 6
Test Questions Minutes per Test
Content of the ACT Sections 6 English 50 (40 scored) 35
Taking the Practice Tests 12 Mathematics 45 (41 scored) 50
Reading 36 (27 scored) 40
Practice Multiple Choice Test 13 Science (optional) 40 (34 scored) 40
Practice Writing Test 60 Writing (optional) 1 essay 40
Practice Answer Document 64 Each of the multiple-choice sections will include
some embedded field test items that will not be
How to Score the Practice Multiple-Choice included in your score. The results of the
embedded field test items help
Tests 72 develop future test questions. These items are not
labeled, so you will not know which items
Scoring the Practice Writing Test 78 contribute to your score. You should try your best
on all items.
Next Steps 81
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
,Test-Taking Strategies However, you will want to pace yourself to avoid
spending too much time on one passage or
puzzling over an answer to a specific problem. If
you don’t know how to work toward an answer to a
Test Strategies for the ACT question, it is a better strategy to guess, flag the
Each multiple-choice section contains questions question, and then move on to other questions that
with four answers from which you are to choose you know how to do. If there is time, you can come
the correct or best answer. back to the flagged questions.
If you do not complete all your sections and want
to test again, you will need to re-register and pay
Read the directions carefully.
Before you begin each section, read the directions
for a new test date. Once you access test content, carefully.This should occur before you take the test
you cannot request a Test Date Change. so that you do not use testing time.
Strategies to help you prepare for the The English, reading, and science sections ask
ACT for the best answer. Read and consider
all of the answer choices and choose the
Get familiar with the content of the
sections. answer that best responds to the question.
Review the information in this document. Note The mathematics section asks for the correct
answer. You may want to work out
which content areas make up a large proportion of
the answer you feel is correct and look for it
the sections. The topics included in each content
among the choices given. If your answer is not
area are examples of possible topics; they do not
among the choices provided, reread the
include all possibilities.
question and consider all the answer choices.
Update your knowledge and skills in the
content areas. Read each question carefully.
You need to understand exactly what each question
Review content areas that you have studied but that asks. Some questions will require you to go through
are not fresh in your mind. Refresh your several steps to find the correct or best answer,
knowledge in the content areas that make up while others can be answered more quickly.
large portions of the test.
Study content areas you are not familiar with. If Answer the easy questions first.
A good strategy is to answer the easy questions and
some content areas of the ACT are unfamiliar to you, skip the questions you find difficult. After
consider taking coursework in those areas before answering the easy questions, go back and answer
you take the test. the more difficult questions if you have time.
Tips for Taking the Multiple-Choice Use logic on more difficult questions. When you
Sections return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic
to eliminate incorrect answers. Compare the
Pace yourself. answer choices to
It is important that you have enough time to read each other and note how they differ. Such
the passages/questions and figure out your differences may provide clues as to what the
responses. For each section, subtract the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect
number of minutes you estimate you will spend answers as you can, then make an educated guess
skimming the passages or reading the from the remaining answers.
information provided, then divide the total
number of remaining minutes allowed by the Answer every question.
number of questions to determine the estimated Your scores in the sections will be based only on
time you should spend on each question. If the number of questions that you answer correctly;
possible, spend less time on each there is no penalty for guessing. Try to answer every
question and use the remaining time allowed for a question within the time allowed for each section.
section to review your work and return to the
questions in that section that were most difficult for
you.
The time limits set for each section give nearly
everyone enough time to finish all the questions.
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
, Review your work. What to Bring
If there is time left after you have answered every
question in a section, go back and check your work. Aticket
printed copy of your admission ticket. Your
contains important information that
You will not be allowed to go back to any other helps connect your answer document to the
section or mark responses to a section after time registration on file. If you have lost your ticket, you
has been called in that section. can print another through your MyACT account. If
you do not bring your ticket on test day, your
When testing on an answer scores may be delayed.
document:
Acceptable photo identification. You will not
Be precise in choosing your responses. be permitted to test if your ID does not meet
ACT requirements. See ACT requirements for ID
If you are taking the ACT on paper, make sure that
you properly select the desired answer on your on your ticket or at www.act.org/the-act/id.
answer document. Marks on your answer document IfDevice
you have registered for the Bring Your Own
(BYOD) option at a participating
that extend beyond the intended oval may be
scored as incorrect. location, it is your responsibly to ensure you have
your testing device and have performed the
Erase completely. appropriate device readiness.
If you want to change a multiple-choice answer on
paper, make sure you erase completely. Do not Number 2 pencil. Bring sharpened No. 2
pencils and good erasers (no mechanical
cross out answers or use correction fluid or tape; pencils or ink pens). Do not bring any other
you must erase. Smudges or unintended marks may writing instruments. You will not be allowed to
cause errors in scoring. use them. Note: International test centers provide
approved whiteboards and erasable markers.
Get Ready Watch or other timing device. You may bring a
watch to pace yourself, but it may not have
Prepare well in advance for the ACT. an alarm. Your watch or other timing device must
be removed and placed on your desk while in the
Know what to expect on test day. Review this
document and visit www.actstudent.org test room, so that it remains visible to staff during
for more information, including an overview of the test. If your alarm sounds during testing, you’ll
each test subject, multiple test prep resources, be dismissed and your answers will not be
and a comprehensive test day checklist. scored.
Take the practice tests in the order they are
shown in this booklet, time yourself, and
Calculator. If you wish to use a calculator (use
of a calculator is not required), it is your
review your responses using the answer keys. responsibility to ensure the calculator is
permitted according to the ACT Calculator Policy.
Get plenty of rest the night before the tests. Word-to-Word Bilingual Dictionary. If you are an
Note: Most procedures in this document refer to English Learner student, you may bring a
testing on a National test date at an ACT test word-to-word bilingual dictionary as long as it is
center (within the United States, US territories, or listed in ACT-Approved Bilingual Word- to-
Puerto Rico). Procedures may differ slightly if you Word Dictionaries list. If it is not on the
take a different administration of the ACT test. approved list, you may not use it for the ACT test.
Doing so will void your testing scores.
On Test Day Snacks. You may consume snacks and drinks
outside the test room during the break.
Report on Time
What NOT to Bring
For National test dates, you must report to your
assigned test center by the time stated Textbooks, notes, dictionaries (unless
approved by the test administrator for
on your admission ticket (usually 8:00 a.m.). If you are
late, you will not be admitted to test. If your ticket translations), or other aids
does not list a specific test room, the test staff or Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, or
posted signs will direct you. correction fluid/tape
If you are unfamiliar with the test center, you
should allow extra time and try to arrive early to
Any electronic device other than a permitted
testing device and calculator
prevent the possibility of being late.
Reading material
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
Preparing for
the ACT® Test
What’s Inside
Full-length practice ACT test,
including the optional Science and Writing test
Information about the multiple-choice and
writing sections
Test-taking strategies
What to expect on test day
Esta publicación también se puede ver o
descargar en español
www.act.org
, A Message to Students
This document is an important first step as you get ready for college and your
career.
The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to gain
admission to colleges and universities. Included are helpful hints and test- taking
strategies, as well as a complete practice ACT, with “retired” questions
from earlier test subjects given on previous test dates at ACT test centers. Also
featured are a practice writing test, a sample answer document, answer keys, and
self-scoring instructions.
Read this document carefully and take the practice tests well before test day. That
way, you will be familiar with the test format, test subjects and what they measure, and
strategies you can use to do your best on test day.
You may also want to consider The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan®
to learn test content and strategies in a virtual classroom. To view all of our test
preparation options, go to www.act.org/the-act/testprep.
Overview of the ACT
Contents
The ACT test consists of three multiple-choice
A Message to Students 2 sections—English, mathematics, and reading.
Students may opt to take an optional multiple- choice
Overview of the ACT 2 science section and/or an optional writing section.
Some colleges and universities require or accept
Test-Taking Strategies 3 ACT science or writing scores, so you may consider
taking the science and writing sections.
Prohibited Behavior at the Test Center 6
Test Questions Minutes per Test
Content of the ACT Sections 6 English 50 (40 scored) 35
Taking the Practice Tests 12 Mathematics 45 (41 scored) 50
Reading 36 (27 scored) 40
Practice Multiple Choice Test 13 Science (optional) 40 (34 scored) 40
Practice Writing Test 60 Writing (optional) 1 essay 40
Practice Answer Document 64 Each of the multiple-choice sections will include
some embedded field test items that will not be
How to Score the Practice Multiple-Choice included in your score. The results of the
embedded field test items help
Tests 72 develop future test questions. These items are not
labeled, so you will not know which items
Scoring the Practice Writing Test 78 contribute to your score. You should try your best
on all items.
Next Steps 81
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
,Test-Taking Strategies However, you will want to pace yourself to avoid
spending too much time on one passage or
puzzling over an answer to a specific problem. If
you don’t know how to work toward an answer to a
Test Strategies for the ACT question, it is a better strategy to guess, flag the
Each multiple-choice section contains questions question, and then move on to other questions that
with four answers from which you are to choose you know how to do. If there is time, you can come
the correct or best answer. back to the flagged questions.
If you do not complete all your sections and want
to test again, you will need to re-register and pay
Read the directions carefully.
Before you begin each section, read the directions
for a new test date. Once you access test content, carefully.This should occur before you take the test
you cannot request a Test Date Change. so that you do not use testing time.
Strategies to help you prepare for the The English, reading, and science sections ask
ACT for the best answer. Read and consider
all of the answer choices and choose the
Get familiar with the content of the
sections. answer that best responds to the question.
Review the information in this document. Note The mathematics section asks for the correct
answer. You may want to work out
which content areas make up a large proportion of
the answer you feel is correct and look for it
the sections. The topics included in each content
among the choices given. If your answer is not
area are examples of possible topics; they do not
among the choices provided, reread the
include all possibilities.
question and consider all the answer choices.
Update your knowledge and skills in the
content areas. Read each question carefully.
You need to understand exactly what each question
Review content areas that you have studied but that asks. Some questions will require you to go through
are not fresh in your mind. Refresh your several steps to find the correct or best answer,
knowledge in the content areas that make up while others can be answered more quickly.
large portions of the test.
Study content areas you are not familiar with. If Answer the easy questions first.
A good strategy is to answer the easy questions and
some content areas of the ACT are unfamiliar to you, skip the questions you find difficult. After
consider taking coursework in those areas before answering the easy questions, go back and answer
you take the test. the more difficult questions if you have time.
Tips for Taking the Multiple-Choice Use logic on more difficult questions. When you
Sections return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic
to eliminate incorrect answers. Compare the
Pace yourself. answer choices to
It is important that you have enough time to read each other and note how they differ. Such
the passages/questions and figure out your differences may provide clues as to what the
responses. For each section, subtract the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect
number of minutes you estimate you will spend answers as you can, then make an educated guess
skimming the passages or reading the from the remaining answers.
information provided, then divide the total
number of remaining minutes allowed by the Answer every question.
number of questions to determine the estimated Your scores in the sections will be based only on
time you should spend on each question. If the number of questions that you answer correctly;
possible, spend less time on each there is no penalty for guessing. Try to answer every
question and use the remaining time allowed for a question within the time allowed for each section.
section to review your work and return to the
questions in that section that were most difficult for
you.
The time limits set for each section give nearly
everyone enough time to finish all the questions.
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
, Review your work. What to Bring
If there is time left after you have answered every
question in a section, go back and check your work. Aticket
printed copy of your admission ticket. Your
contains important information that
You will not be allowed to go back to any other helps connect your answer document to the
section or mark responses to a section after time registration on file. If you have lost your ticket, you
has been called in that section. can print another through your MyACT account. If
you do not bring your ticket on test day, your
When testing on an answer scores may be delayed.
document:
Acceptable photo identification. You will not
Be precise in choosing your responses. be permitted to test if your ID does not meet
ACT requirements. See ACT requirements for ID
If you are taking the ACT on paper, make sure that
you properly select the desired answer on your on your ticket or at www.act.org/the-act/id.
answer document. Marks on your answer document IfDevice
you have registered for the Bring Your Own
(BYOD) option at a participating
that extend beyond the intended oval may be
scored as incorrect. location, it is your responsibly to ensure you have
your testing device and have performed the
Erase completely. appropriate device readiness.
If you want to change a multiple-choice answer on
paper, make sure you erase completely. Do not Number 2 pencil. Bring sharpened No. 2
pencils and good erasers (no mechanical
cross out answers or use correction fluid or tape; pencils or ink pens). Do not bring any other
you must erase. Smudges or unintended marks may writing instruments. You will not be allowed to
cause errors in scoring. use them. Note: International test centers provide
approved whiteboards and erasable markers.
Get Ready Watch or other timing device. You may bring a
watch to pace yourself, but it may not have
Prepare well in advance for the ACT. an alarm. Your watch or other timing device must
be removed and placed on your desk while in the
Know what to expect on test day. Review this
document and visit www.actstudent.org test room, so that it remains visible to staff during
for more information, including an overview of the test. If your alarm sounds during testing, you’ll
each test subject, multiple test prep resources, be dismissed and your answers will not be
and a comprehensive test day checklist. scored.
Take the practice tests in the order they are
shown in this booklet, time yourself, and
Calculator. If you wish to use a calculator (use
of a calculator is not required), it is your
review your responses using the answer keys. responsibility to ensure the calculator is
permitted according to the ACT Calculator Policy.
Get plenty of rest the night before the tests. Word-to-Word Bilingual Dictionary. If you are an
Note: Most procedures in this document refer to English Learner student, you may bring a
testing on a National test date at an ACT test word-to-word bilingual dictionary as long as it is
center (within the United States, US territories, or listed in ACT-Approved Bilingual Word- to-
Puerto Rico). Procedures may differ slightly if you Word Dictionaries list. If it is not on the
take a different administration of the ACT test. approved list, you may not use it for the ACT test.
Doing so will void your testing scores.
On Test Day Snacks. You may consume snacks and drinks
outside the test room during the break.
Report on Time
What NOT to Bring
For National test dates, you must report to your
assigned test center by the time stated Textbooks, notes, dictionaries (unless
approved by the test administrator for
on your admission ticket (usually 8:00 a.m.). If you are
late, you will not be admitted to test. If your ticket translations), or other aids
does not list a specific test room, the test staff or Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, or
posted signs will direct you. correction fluid/tape
If you are unfamiliar with the test center, you
should allow extra time and try to arrive early to
Any electronic device other than a permitted
testing device and calculator
prevent the possibility of being late.
Reading material
©2025 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 100 QU00002.CJ19373
