The ACT, or American College Test, is one of several exams you may need to take to study in the USA.
While it’s not entirely as well known as the famous SAT exam, it’s just about equally as valuable for showing that you can study at a US college.
This article goes into great depth in explaining everything you need to know about the ACT, how to prepare for it, and all the little vital details, including registrations, fees, and eligibility.
At a glance: What is the ACT?
| ACT Full Form | American College Testing |
| Conducted by | ACT (Non-NGO) |
| Duration | Two hours, 55 minutes ( additional 40 minutes with writing) |
| Question Type | MCQ |
| Official Website | https://www.act.org/ |
The ACT is a test that is usually completed in the final year or two of high school, and its purpose is to gauge whether or not you are capable of studying at college.
The ACT, meanwhile, has four sections: English language (grammar &Usagee), reading, mathematics, and science. These four areas are all multiple choice, while there’s also an optional essay section, but many colleges do not require this.
The ACT has 215 questions and takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. However, if you take the optional ACT essay, you can add another 40 minutes to the total time.
ACT eligibility: Who can take the test?
ACT eligibility is very open. Anyone can apply for the ACT regardless of an academic degree or grade.
As the results of the ACT examinations are authorised in many American universities, it is usually taken by anyone over 13 or high school graduates. Although the ACT has no qualifying requirement, students must meet the criteria for course eligibility specified by the selected university/college.
ACT syllabus
The ACT syllabus is based principally on secondary education topics – English, Math, reading, science and writing (optional).
Syllabus of ACT English
The ACT English curriculum contains sections that test rhetoric, structure, usage and mechanics skills.
That all sounds quite complex, but it’s not! It tests your ability to understand both the overall meaning of a piece of written English, as well as the tone and grammar.
The English test consists of five passages, each including 15 questions. Most of the questions require candidates to choose a grammar and style response that is best suited; or the answer that best matches the passage tone.
The subsections include:
- MechanicsUsagee – 40 questions
- Usage of grammar – 12 Questions
- Structure of sentence – 18 Questions
- Rhetoric skills – 35 questions
- Strategy – 12 Questions
- Organisation – 11 Questions
- Style – 12 Questions
ACT Mathematics
- Around 14 pre-algebraic questions
- Ten basic algebraic questions
- Nine medium-algebraic questions
- Nine coordinate-based geometrical questions
- 14 geometrical questions on a plane
- Four trigonometric questions include the math test.
Syllabus for the ACT reading
The reading test comprises four passages in four genres – prose fiction, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences. Ten questions follow each passage.
Syllabus of ACT science
The ACT science test examines your reasoning, logic and analysis based on science-related passages rather than on actual learned scientific knowledge.
This test will have approx:
- 2-3 diagrams
- 2-3 passages in science experiments
- 1 or 2 passages on scientists with 5 to 7 questions.
Syllabus of ACT Writing (optional)
The written test is optional and must be done if the test score is required by the university to which you apply. The test taker is given one writing prompt on a fairly complex issue and 40 minutes to write a well-reasoned response.
At a glance: What is the ACT?
| ACT Full Form | American College Testing |
| Conducted by | ACT (Non-NGO) |
| Duration | Two hours, 55 minutes ( additional 40 minutes with writing) |
| Question Type | MCQ |
| Official Website | https://www.act.org/ |
The ACT is a test that is usually completed in the final year or two of high school, and its purpose is to gauge whether or not you are capable of studying at college.
The ACT, meanwhile, has four sections: English language (grammar &Usagee), reading, mathematics, and science. These four areas are all multiple choice, while there’s also an optional essay section, but many colleges do not require this.
The ACT has 215 questions and takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. However, if you take the optional ACT essay, you can add another 40 minutes to the total time.
ACT eligibility: Who can take the test?
ACT eligibility is very open. Anyone can apply for the ACT regardless of an academic degree or grade.
As the results of the ACT examinations are authorised in many American universities, it is usually taken by anyone over 13 or high school graduates. Although the ACT has no qualifying requirement, students must meet the criteria for course eligibility specified by the selected university/college.
ACT syllabus
The ACT syllabus is based principally on secondary education topics – English, Math, reading, science and writing (optional).
Syllabus of ACT English
The ACT English curriculum contains sections that test rhetoric, structure, usage and mechanics skills.
That all sounds quite complex, but it’s not! It tests your ability to understand both the overall meaning of a piece of written English, as well as the tone and grammar.
The English test consists of five passages, each including 15 questions. Most of the questions require candidates to choose a grammar and style response that is best suited; or the answer that best matches the passage tone.
The subsections include:
- MechanicsUsagee – 40 questions
- Usage of grammar – 12 Questions
- Structure of sentence – 18 Questions
- Rhetoric skills – 35 questions
- Strategy – 12 Questions
- Organisation – 11 Questions
- Style – 12 Questions
ACT Mathematics
- Around 14 pre-algebraic questions
- Ten basic algebraic questions
- Nine medium-algebraic questions
- Nine coordinate-based geometrical questions
- 14 geometrical questions on a plane
- Four trigonometric questions include the math test.
Syllabus for the ACT reading
The reading test comprises four passages in four genres – prose fiction, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences. Ten questions follow each passage.
Syllabus of ACT science
The ACT science test examines your reasoning, logic and analysis based on science-related passages rather than on actual learned scientific knowledge.
This test will have approx:
- 2-3 diagrams
- 2-3 passages in science experiments
- 1 or 2 passages on scientists with 5 to 7 questions.
Syllabus of ACT Writing (optional)
The written test is optional and must be done if the test score is required by the university to which you apply. The test taker is given one writing prompt on a fairly complex issue and 40 minutes to write a well-reasoned response.