General Tips- Get a good night’s sleep and be sure to eat breakfast before taking the test.
- Answer every question no matter what. Points are awarded for correct answers; there is no penalty for wrong answers.
- Pick a “letter of the day” and stick with it for instances where guessing is needed.
- Remain calm and use stress management techniques to settle nerves.
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| OVERVIEW OF ACT TEST SECTIONS |
| English | - 75 multiple–choice questions
- 45 minutes
- Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills
- Learn more about the ACT English Test
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| Math | - 60 multiple–choice questions
- 60 minutes
- Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry
- Learn more about the ACT Math Test
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| Reading | - 40 multiple–choice questions
- 35 minutes
- Four passages (prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences) with 10 questions per passage
- Learn more about the ACT Reading Test
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| Science | - 40 multiple–choice questions
- 35 minutes
- Questions on science-based passages presented with graphs, charts, tables and research summaries
- Learn more about the ACT Science Test
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| Writing | - Writing test is optional *
- 1 essay
- 40 minutes
- Learn more about the ACT Essay
* We recommend taking the ACT Writing Test because some schools require it. |
What is the ACT? Why is it so important?
- ACT stands for “American College Test.”
- It is a standardized test used by colleges for admissions, scholarships, etc.
- It is a graduation requirement in the state of Tennessee.
- A composite score of 21 qualifies a student for the TN HOPE Scholarship
How is the ACT scored?
Each subject area receives a scaled score from 1 (lowest possible) to 36 (highest possible).
- The ACT composite score is an average of the four subject-area score
- Each subject has a “College Readiness” benchmark that indicates a student’s likelihood of success in first-year college courses
What score do I need?
Fortunately, there is no pass or fail for the ACT.
- Tennessee’s benchmark is a composite score of 21 (or higher).
- For admissions, check with each college or university for their expectations.
- National ACT Testing Dates
