This test consists of 5 passages. Approximately 15 questions follow each passage. Each question on the English Test is followed by 4 answer choices: One question with choices A, B, C, and D while the next with choices F, G, H, and J.
The questions on the English Test require the test taker to make revisions for the underlined part of the passage or refer to the passage as a whole to pick the best possible answer choice. These questions fall under 3 categories: Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language, and Conventions of Standard English.
The questions under this category contribute to 29% – 32 % of the questions in the English Test. This category deals with the questions related to Topic development, Organization, Unity, and Cohesion.
The questions under this category contribute to 13% – 19% of the questions in the English Test. This category deals with the questions related to Word choice, Style, and Tone.
The questions under this category contribute to 51% – 56% of the questions in the English Test. This category deals with the questions related to Sentence Structure, Punctuations, Grammar, and Usage.
The Math test on ACT consists of 60 Multiple choice questions which fall under 8 Reporting Categories: Higher Math; Number and Quantity; Algebra; Functions; Geometry; Statistics and Probability; Integrating Essential Skills; and Modeling.. Each question on the English Test is followed by 4 answer choices: One question with choices A, B, C, D, and E while the next with choices F, G, H, J, and K.
The test taker is permitted to use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. Kindly check the most recent calculator policy.
www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf
Reading Test on ACT consists of 4 Sections: Three of these sections consist of one Long passage each, and one section has two short passages. Each section usually consists of 10 multiple-choice questions. Each question on the ACT Reading test is followed by four answer choices: One question with choices A, B, C, and D while the next with F, G, H, and J. The passages in the Reading Test are from topics related to Social studies, Natural sciences, literary narrative, and Humanities.
The Questions on the English Test requires the test taker to understand the main idea, purpose, and Central claim of the given passage; Analyze the Text Structure, and Questions on Reading Test are reported under3 categories: Key ideas and details, craft and structure; and integration of knowledge and ideas.
The questions under this category contribute to 55% – 60% of the questions in the Reading test. The questions that require the examinee to focus on summaries &Main ideas, and to draw conclusions are included in this category. In addition, a few questions will also test the ability to build a relationship between the ideas in the given text.
The questions under this category contribute to 25% – 30% of the questions in the Reading test. The questions that test the ability of the test taker to comprehend the meaning of certain words in the context, and also that require the test taker to analyze the impact of the choice of words used by the author are included in this category. Moreover, questions dealing with the purpose and point of view are also included in this category.
The questions under this category contribute to 13% – 18% of the questions in the Reading test. The test taker may require analyzing more than one passage. This category includes questions that test the ability of the examinee to compare multiple texts to answer the questions. Also, this category deals with the questions related to argumentative passages.
Science test is made up of several science-based passages: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Space sciences. Some knowledge about scientific terms and concepts is essential for a student to answer some of these questions. Each question on the ACT Science test is followed by four answer choices: One question with choices A, B, C, and D while the next with choices F, G, H, and J.
The passages in the science test can be categorized under any one of the formats: The Data Representation, The Research Summaries, and The Conflicting viewpoints.
The skills tested in the Science Test of ACT falls into 3 Reporting Categories: Interpretation of Data; Scientific investigation; and Evaluation of Models, inferences, and experimental results.
The questions under this category contribute to 45% – 55 % of the questions in the Science test. The questions included in this category require the examinee to analyze the given data and find out the mathematical relationship between the data.
The questions under this category contribute to 20% – 30 % of the questions in the Science test. The questions related to understanding scientific experiments, evaluating experimental results, and predicting the effects of modified experimental designs are included in this category.
The questions under this category contribute to 25% – 35 % of the questions in the Science test. A few questions which test your ability to evaluate and test the validity of experimental results are included in this category.
The test taker is given a prompt with three different perspectives. The examinee needs to develop his/her perspective on the given issue. The perspective developed by the test taker can be in complete agreement, partial agreement, or disagreement with the other given perspectives.
The examinee is expected to maintain the Standard English grammar usage in the essay and is also expected to develop a response that details illustrations, elaborate examples, and demonstrate strong cohesion among various ideas discussed in the essay.
There is no paragraph limit or word limit.
The ACT Score report also consists of a score that is the average of Science and Math test scores (STEM score). This score is reported on the scale of 1-36.
If the test taker takes the optional writing test, he/she will also receive another score, which is the average of English, Reading, and Writing Test scores (ELA Score). This Score is also given on the scale of (1 – 36).
The detailed score report gives a precise analysis of the proficiency of the test taker in every category questions related to all the core academic areas of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The microanalysis helps the test taker to identify the inherent weaknesses and provides an opportunity for improvement.
English Test receives four scores: Three scores will help to understand the efficiency of the test taker in Production of English, Knowledge of Language, and Conventions of Standard English and one Subject Test score on the scale of (1 -36).
The detailed score report also includes a readiness benchmark to check the college readiness of the test taker. In the English test, the readiness benchmark score to be reached by the test taker to perform well in the first year of the college is 18.
Mathematics test will receive 9 Scores: One Subject score on the scale of (1 – 36) and 8 reporting category scores in the following areas: Higher Math; Number and Quantity; Algebra; Functions; Geometry; Statistics and Probability; Integrating Essential Skills; and Modeling.
The readiness Benchmark score for Mathematics test is 22.
Reading Test also receives four scores: Three of these scores analyze the performance of the examinee inKey ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas. Along with this, a Subject Test score on the scale of (1 – 36) will also be reported.
The detailed score report also includes a readiness benchmark to check the college readiness of the test taker. In the Reading test, the readiness benchmark score expected to be reached by the test taker to perform well in the first year of the college is 22.
Science Test reports four scores in the detailed score report: While one score gives the Subject score, the other three scores give an in-depth analysis of three reporting categories (Interpretation of Data; Scientific investigation; and Evaluation of Models, inferences, and experimental results).
The detailed score report also includes a readiness benchmark to check the college readiness of the test taker. In the Reading test, the readiness benchmark score expected to be reached by the test taker to perform well in the first year of the college is 23.
The test taker can pick the colleges to send the score report during the time of registration. However, ACT also provides an opportunity for the test taker to select the colleges to send additional score reports even after the Test. The examinee will be eligible to send four score reports to the colleges without any additional cost. From the fifth score report, the test taker will be charged $13 for each score report.