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About the SAT/ACT and LSAT

About ACT Exam

Exam Summary Charts

The ACT consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.  (essay writing is optional)  

Sections

Question Type

Number of Questions

Time Allotted

 

English

 

75 multiple choice

45 minutes

 

Usage & Mechanics

40

 

 

Rhetorical Skills

35

 

Mathematics

 

60 multiple choice

60 minutes

 

Arithmetic

14

 

 

Elementary Algebra

10

 

 

Intermediate Algebra

9

 

 

Coordinate Geometry

9

 

 

Plane Geometry

14

 

 

Trigonometry

4

 

Reading

 

40 multiple choice

35 minutes

 

Prose Fiction

10

 

 

Humanities

10

 

 

Social Studies

10

 

 

Natural Sciences

10

 

Science

 

40 multiple choice

 35 minutes

 

Data Representation

15

 

 

Research Summary

18

 

 

Conflicting Viewpoint

7

 

Writing (optional)

 

1 Essay

30 minutes




Sections Question Type Number of Questions Time Allotted
Reading Passage-based reading (4) passages 10 questions each 40 40 questions
Total: 35 minutes
Science Reasoning Seven (7) passages (5-7 questions each) 40 40 questions
Total: 35 minutes
English Five (5) prose passages with multiple choice questions. 75 75 questions
Total: 45  minutes
Math Multiple-choice
test’s math to end of 11th grade year in high school
60
60 questions
Total: 60 minutes
Writing (optional) Write an entry-level college composition essay 1 prompt 30 minutes
Unscored Multiple-Choice—any section varies One 25 min section—but it is not counted on your score



Relationship between the tests, questions, and subscores

Test

No. of
Questions

Subscore(s)

English Test

75

Usage/Mechanics (40 questions)
Rhetorical Skills (35 questions)

Mathematics Test

60

Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra (24 questions)
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry (18 questions)
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry based (18 questions)

Reading Test

40

Social Studies/Sciences reading skills (20 social studies & natural sciences questions)
Arts/Literature reading skills (20 prose fiction & humanities questions)

Science Test

40

None: the total test score is based on all 40 questions.