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GuidesACT
The ACT has changed substantially from the version many parents remember: a shorter core test of English, Math and Reading, with Science now optional. Most advice online still describes the old test. These guides describe the current one.
Start with the format guide, then use the section guides for the skills you lose points on. The score guides explain percentiles, superscoring and whether to retake, and the study plans are organised by the score you have now. MastaPrep's practice is built for the SAT; these guides are here to help you decide between the two tests and to prepare well if you choose the ACT.
Learn the current ACT format for 2026–27: 2-hour-5-minute core test, 131 core questions, optional science and writing, new composite scoring, and prep strategy.
See official 2026–27 ACT dates for US and international students, registration deadlines, initial score releases, and advice for choosing the right ACT date.
Compare online and paper ACT testing in 2026–27: test content, pacing, interface, score-release timing, practice considerations, and how to choose.
See current ACT Composite percentiles for 2026–27, what scores from 20 to 36 mean, and how to choose an ACT target for your colleges and scholarships.
See current ACT national ranks for Composite scores from 20 to 36 and learn how an ACT percentile differs from a college's own score range.
Learn how the current ACT Superscore works using your best English, Math and Reading scores, how colleges receive it, and when retaking can help.
Decide whether another ACT is worth it using your college list, superscore, practice trend, weak sections, application deadlines and time available.
Decide whether to submit an ACT score using the college's current policy, middle 50% range, scholarships, your academic profile and application context.
Master Enhanced ACT English grammar: punctuation, sentence structure, agreement, modifiers, pronouns, concision, rhetoric, and original practice.
Master ACT Production of Writing questions: topic development, relevance, organization, introductions, conclusions and sentence placement.
Master ACT Knowledge of Language questions: concision, redundancy, word choice, tone, style and sentence effectiveness.
Review essential ACT Math formulas and concepts for algebra, functions, geometry, statistics, probability, rates, and modeling on the Enhanced ACT.
Master ACT Algebra: linear equations, inequalities, systems, expressions, polynomials, absolute value and original practice.
Master ACT functions: notation, evaluating functions, graphs, transformations, domain, composition, linear and nonlinear models, and original practice.
Master ACT quadratics: factoring, roots, vertex form, discriminant, graphs, word problems and original practice.
Master ACT statistics and probability: mean, median, spread, probability, two-way tables, sampling, data interpretation and original practice.
Master ACT geometry and trigonometry: triangles, circles, coordinate geometry, area, volume, special triangles, SOHCAHTOA and original practice.
Learn which calculators are allowed on ACT Math, which are prohibited, how Desmos works on the online ACT and how to choose your calculator.
Learn Enhanced ACT Reading timing for 36 questions in 40 minutes: passage strategy, evidence location, main idea, inference, paired texts, and pacing drills.
Master ACT Reading main idea, detail and inference questions with passage mapping, evidence-based reasoning and original practice.
Master ACT paired passages: compare perspectives, identify agreement and disagreement, track claims, and answer multiple-text questions efficiently.
ACT Science is optional and does not affect the Composite. Learn when it may still help, STEM-score considerations, college policies, fatigue, and how to decide.
Master optional ACT Science: 40 questions in 40 minutes, data interpretation, experimental design, scientific arguments, conflicting viewpoints, and original practice.
Master ACT Science experimental design: independent/dependent variables, controls, trials, hypotheses, research summaries and predictions.
Master ACT Science graphs and tables: trends, interpolation, extrapolation, axes, units, comparisons and fast data-reading strategy.
Master ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints passages: compare hypotheses, track agreement and disagreement, predict responses and use new evidence.
Learn when to start ACT prep based on your baseline, score goal and schedule, with practical 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-month study plans.
Move from an ACT 20 toward 25 by fixing high-frequency English and Math gaps, improving Reading timing, using targeted practice and reviewing mistakes deeply.
Move from ACT 25 toward 30 with targeted section repair, stronger Math and grammar, faster Reading decisions, timed practice and deep error review.
Already scoring around 30? Learn how to push toward 34 using forensic error analysis, hard-question practice, section-specific targeting, superscoring and timed precision.
Only one month until the ACT? Use this four-week plan for English, Math, Reading, optional Science, timed sections and test-day preparation.
Only one week until the ACT? Use this seven-day plan for English, Math, Reading, optional Science, pacing and test-day preparation.
Learn how often to take full ACT practice tests, when timed sections are better, how to review errors, and why more full tests do not automatically raise your score.
Plan ACT pacing for 50 English questions in 35 minutes, 45 Math in 50, 36 Reading in 40, and optional Science in 40 with checkpoints and drills.
Use this ACT test-day checklist for your admission ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, online testing device rules, snacks and morning preparation.
Compare the SAT and enhanced ACT in 2026: format, timing, pacing, math, reading, science, scoring, concordance, and a practical way to choose.
Already a strong tester? Compare SAT and ACT for high scorers by pacing, Math, reading, superscoring, calculator use, optional Science and score ceilings.
Looking for the exam itself rather than a guide? How the SAT works and how MastaPrep prepares you for it.