ACT Exam Format & Syllabus
Everything you need to know about the ACT structure, sections, question types, and topics tested.
At a Glance
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Section Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of each section, including timing, question count, and module structure
English
75 questions · 45 minutes
Full Section
StandardQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Punctuation | 10 |
| Grammar & Usage | 12 |
| Sentence Structure | 18 |
| Organization | 11 |
| Style & Tone | 12 |
| Effective Language Use | 12 |
| Total | 75 |
Passage Structure
5 passages · 15 questions per passage
Mathematics
60 questions · 60 minutes
Full Section
StandardQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Pre-Algebra | 14 |
| Elementary Algebra | 10 |
| Intermediate Algebra | 9 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 9 |
| Plane Geometry | 14 |
| Trigonometry | 4 |
| Total | 60 |
Reading
40 questions · 35 minutes
Full Section
StandardQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Main Idea | 8 |
| Detail Retrieval | 8 |
| Inference | 8 |
| Vocabulary in Context | 4 |
| Author Purpose & Tone | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Comparative Reasoning | 4 |
| Total | 40 |
Passage Structure
4 passages · 10 questions per passage
Science
40 questions · 35 minutes
Full Section
StandardQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Data Representation | 15 |
| Research Summaries | 18 |
| Conflicting Viewpoints | 7 |
| Total | 40 |
Passage Structure
7 passages · 6 questions per passage
Complete Syllabus
All topics and skills tested on the ACT
English
Production of Writing
- Topic Development — Purpose, focus, organization
- Unity and Cohesion — Logical transitions, sentence flow
Knowledge of Language
- Style and Tone — Word choice, precision, conciseness
- Effective Language Use — Idiom, register, clarity
Conventions of Standard English
- Punctuation — Commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, dashes
- Grammar and Usage — Subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, verb forms
- Sentence Structure — Fragments, run-ons, modifier placement, parallelism
Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
- Basic operations, fractions, decimals, percentages
- Number concepts, factors, multiples, primes
- Absolute value, exponents, square roots
Elementary Algebra
- Linear equations and inequalities
- Systems of equations
- Quadratic expressions and equations
Intermediate Algebra
- Rational and radical expressions
- Complex numbers
- Functions and their graphs
- Sequences and series
Coordinate Geometry
- Graphing lines, parabolas, circles
- Distance and midpoint formulas
- Slope, intercepts, parallel and perpendicular lines
Plane Geometry
- Angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles
- Area, perimeter, volume
- Congruence and similarity
Trigonometry
- Right triangle trigonometry
- Trigonometric functions and identities
- Graphs of trigonometric functions
Reading
Key Ideas and Details
- Main idea and central themes
- Detail retrieval and summary
- Inference and implicit meaning
Craft and Structure
- Vocabulary in context
- Author purpose, tone, and perspective
- Text structure and organization
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Comparative reasoning across passages
- Evaluating arguments and evidence
- Analyzing claims and counterclaims
Science
Data Representation
- Interpreting graphs, tables, and charts
- Reading and analyzing scientific data
- Identifying trends and patterns
Research Summaries
- Understanding experimental design
- Analyzing procedures and results
- Drawing conclusions from experiments
Conflicting Viewpoints
- Comparing alternative hypotheses
- Evaluating evidence for competing theories
- Identifying points of agreement and disagreement
Scoring
How the ACT is scored
Each Section
1–36
Score range per section
Composite Score
1–36
Average of 4 section scores
Writing (Optional)
2–12
Scored separately, does not affect composite
Scoring: Your raw score (number correct) is converted to a scaled score of 1–36 per section. The composite is the average of English, Math, Reading, and Science rounded to the nearest whole number. There is no penalty for guessing.
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