How to Study for the ACT: Complete Guide and Study Plan

What is the Enhanced ACT?

The ACT is a college admissions test administered by ACT. The enhanced version is shorter than the old test: English has 50 questions in 35 minutes, math has 45 questions in 50 minutes, and reading has 36 questions in 40 minutes, for 125 minutes in total. Science (40 questions, 40 minutes) and writing (a 40-minute essay) are optional. Each section is scored 1 to 36, and the Composite is the rounded average of English, math and reading. It is offered on paper, online, or online on your own device at a test site.

Who it is for

The ACT is for high school students applying to U.S. colleges or competing for scholarships that use test scores. It suits students who work well under a steady clock and who want a test where math counts for one of three Composite sections. Students aiming at STEM programs should check whether their target schools want the optional science section, since science takers also receive a STEM score.

ACT (enhanced) at a glance

Source: ACT, checked October 21, 2026. Fees and policies change: confirm with the official site before you register.

What is tested

• English: You revise passages for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical choices such as adding, cutting or reordering sentences. The key skill is spotting the rule being tested in seconds, since you have 50 questions in 35 minutes.
• Mathematics: You solve 45 questions in 50 minutes across algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry, statistics and probability. Math questions now have four answer choices instead of five, so careful elimination pays off.
• Reading: You answer 36 questions on passages in 40 minutes, testing main ideas, details, inference, vocabulary in context and author purpose. The key skill is locating evidence in the passage quickly instead of rereading.
• Science: The optional science section has 40 questions in 40 minutes on data in graphs, tables and experiment descriptions. It tests data interpretation and reasoning about research design more than memorized science facts, and it is excluded from the Composite.

Enhanced ACT study plan: 10 weeks, 5 to 7 hours a week

1. Diagnose and decide (week 1)

• Take a full timed practice test in the enhanced format to get a baseline score for each section.
• Check each target college and scholarship to see whether science or writing is required.
• Set a target Composite and pick a test date that leaves at least 8 weeks of preparation.

2. Rebuild core skills (weeks 2 to 5)

• Review the grammar and punctuation rules behind every English miss, such as commas, semicolons, modifiers and agreement.
• Relearn the math topics you missed most, starting with algebra and functions, and keep a formula sheet you rewrite from memory.
• Practice reading passages untimed while marking the line that proves each answer.
• Drill 20 to 30 mixed practice questions a day and read the full explanation for every miss.

3. Timed section practice (weeks 6 to 8)

• Do one timed section per study day at real pace: 35 minutes for English, 50 for math, 40 for reading.
• Add timed science sets if you are taking the optional section.
• Track errors by type in a log and redo every missed question two days later.

4. Full tests and taper (weeks 9 to 10)

• Take two full timed practice tests on the same schedule as test day.
• Spend the review time on the two or three error types that cost the most points.
• In the final days, do light flashcard review only and confirm your test center, ID and calculator.

How to practice

• Practice in the enhanced format, since timing per question is different from the older, longer ACT.
• Review every miss by naming the exact rule, formula or reading skill it tested before moving on.
• Use flashcards for grammar rules and math formulas so recall is automatic under time pressure.
• Alternate short daily question sets with one longer timed section per week to build both accuracy and stamina.
• Practice eliminating wrong choices on math, where each question now has four options instead of five.

Common mistakes

• Preparing with old-format materials and pacing for a longer test than the one you will take.
• Spending equal time on science when your colleges do not require it and it does not count toward the Composite.
• Choosing the longest English answer instead of the most concise correct one.
• Rereading whole reading passages instead of going back to the lines a question points to.
• Taking practice tests without reviewing them, which measures progress but does not create it.

Free Enhanced ACT practice by topic

• Mathematics: 233 free questions
• English: 207 free questions
• Reading: 170 free questions
• Science: 159 free questions

How long is the ACT now?

The enhanced ACT takes 125 minutes for the three sections that make up the Composite: English, math and reading. Adding the optional science section brings it to 165 minutes, and the optional writing essay adds 40 minutes.

Is science still required on the ACT?

No. On the enhanced ACT, science is optional and is not part of the Composite score. Some colleges or scholarships may still ask for a science score, so check your target schools before you register.

How is the ACT scored?

Each section is scored from 1 to 36. The Composite is the rounded average of English, math and reading. Students who take science also receive a science score and a STEM score.

How much does the ACT cost?

As listed by ACT in October 2026, the base fee is US$70. Adding writing costs US$25 more, and adding science costs US$5 more. Check the ACT registration page for current fees when you register.

When are the next ACT test dates?

ACT's 2026 to 2027 U.S. national test dates are September 19, October 17 and December 12, 2026, and February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. Registration deadlines come before each date, so confirm them on the ACT website.

How long should I study for the ACT?

Most students do well with 8 to 10 weeks of steady preparation at about 5 to 7 hours a week. Students who need a large score gain, or who are rebuilding math fundamentals, should allow more time.

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