ACT Questions
The American College Testing (ACT) is a standard exam for international students to pursue their undergraduate degrees in the USA and Canada. The ACT exam evaluates your skills in four sections and determines your eligibility for higher education. Here we cover everything you should know about the exam, including how many questions are on the ACT, its pattern and its syllabus.
Table of Contents
- ACT Questions
- ACT exam: An overview
- How many questions are on the ACT?
- How many questions are on the ACT: A section-wise analysis
- How many questions are on the ACT English test?
- How many questions are on the ACT math test?
- How many questions are on the ACT reading test?
- How many passages are in ACT Reading?
- How many questions are on the ACT Science test?
- How many questions are on the ACT Writing test?
- Frequently asked questions
ACT exam: An overview
| ACT full form | American College Testing |
| No. of sections | 4 + one optional writing section |
| How many questions are on the ACT? | 215 + one optional essay |
| Total duration | 2 hours 55 minutes (additional 40 minutes for optional essay) |
| ACT score range | 1-36 |
Also read: SAT vs ACT
How many questions are on the ACT?
There are 215 questions in total and one optional essay in the ACT exam. These questions are split into four sections. They are:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science
- Writing (optional section)
How many questions are on the ACT: A section-wise analysis
| Sections | No. of questions | Total duration (in minutes) |
| English | 75 | 45 |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 |
| Reading | 40 | 35 |
| Science | 40 | 35 |
| Writing (optional) | 1 (essay) | 40 |
Also read: ACT exam pattern and syllabus
How many questions are on the ACT English test?
There are a total of 75 multiple-choice questions in the ACT English test. This section comprises five passages to read and respond to questions with the most appropriate answers.
The given texts analyse your ability to assess and organise the content. So make sure to assess the text's content and writing style before working on the questions.
Here’s how your skills are tested in the ACT English section.
Production of Writing - 30-32%
Knowledge of Language - 12-18%
Conventions of standard English - 50-55%
Question types for the ACT English section
| Question type | No. of questions | Skills assessed |
| Usage and mechanics | 40 | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure |
| Rhetorical | 35 | Choosing appropriate words, organising ideas, managing sentence elements |
How many questions are on the ACT math test?
There are 60 multiple-choice questions in the ACT math test. The section lasts for 60 minutes. The questions are based on high school mathematics concepts that analyse your understanding and solve complex problems.
Concepts to expect in the ACT maths test
| Concept | Important topics | No. of questions | Weightage |
| Pre-algebra | Percentages Divisibility Fractions Square roots Mean, median, mode Exponents Factors | 14 | 20-25% |
| Elementary Algebra | Linear and quadratic equations Simplification Binomials | 10 | 15-20% |
| Intermediate Algebra | Sequence and patterns Matrics Equations Logarithms | 09 | 15-20% |
| Coordinate geometry | Surface area and volume Lines and angles Properties of shapes | 09 | 15-20% |
| Plane geometry | Line equations Distance and mid-points Slope calculations | 14 | 20-25% |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric graphs, identities, functions and equations | 04 | 05-10% |
How many questions are on the ACT reading test?
There are 40 multiple-choice questions in the ACT Reading test, lasting for 35 minutes. These questions evaluate your logical reasoning and interpretation of information. Here’s how your skills are analysed in the ACT Reading test.
- Key ideas and details - 55-60%
- Craft and structure - 25-30%
- Integration of knowledge and ideas - 12-18%
Also Read: ACT Score and Results
How many passages are in ACT Reading?
The reading section consists of four passages followed by ten questions each. You can expect texts from these subjects.
ACT Reading test passages
| ACT reading passage | Subjects covered |
| Passage 1 - Social studies | Biography Geography History Psychology Sociology Anthropology |
| Passage 2 - Prose fiction | Literature pieces like: Novels Personal essays Short stories Memoirs |
| Passage 3 - Natural science | Botany Zoology Anatomy Microbiology Meteorology Geology Astronomy |
| Passage 4 - Humanities | Theatre Arts Film Dance Music Architecture Radio Television Ethics |
How many questions are on the ACT Science test?
There are 45 multiple-choice questions in the ACT Science test, lasting 35 minutes. The questions test certain skills like interpretation, evaluation, reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving. You can expect passages from various subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences.
ACT Science test: Question types
| Question type | Weightage |
| Data representation | 30-40% |
| Research summary | 45-55% |
| Conflicting viewpoints | 15-20% |
ACT Science test: Skills assessed
| Skill assessed | Weightage |
| Data interpretation | 45-50% |
| Scientific investigation | 20-30% |
| Evaluation of models, inferences and experimental results | 25-30% |
Also read: ACT exam preparation
How many questions are on the ACT Writing test?
The optional writing section consists of one essay lasting for 40 minutes. You will be given a writing prompt on a complex issue. You are required to develop your own or an existing perspective on the problem and support your idea. Here are the skills ACT considers while evaluating your essay.
- Ideas and analysis
- Development and support
- Organisation
- Language use and conventions
Also read: Best ACT preparation books
Frequently asked questions
How many questions is the ACT exam?
The ACT exam consists of 215 multiple-choice questions and an optional essay. The questions are split among the four sections of the assessment: English (75 questions), Mathematics (60 questions), Reading (40 questions), and Science (40 questions).
How many ACT practice tests are there?
ACT has officially introduced six practice tests for international students to get familiar with the pattern and prepare for the exam. These practice tests follow the same format and duration as the actual test. Students can also make use of several practice tests available online to study and prepare for the assessment.
How many math questions are on the ACT exam?
There are 60 multiple-choice questions in the ACT math section, lasting for 60 minutes.
ACT: how many questions are there in each section?
Section 1 - English: 75 questions
Section 2 - Mathematics: 60 questions
Section 3 - Reading: 40 questions
Section 4 - Science: 40 questions
Optional writing section: 1 essay
What is the ACT exam used for?
The ACT exam is a standard assessment for international students to pursue their undergraduate degrees in the USA and Canada. The test evaluates the candidate’s skills and determines their eligibility for higher education. Several educational institutions use the ACT exam results for admission into different courses.
