The ACT® is a college-readiness exam with three required sections — English, math, and reading — plus optional science and writing sections. Under the Enhanced ACT format (implemented starting in 2025 and rolling out statewide and districtwide in 2026), the core test is 131 questions with a total allowed time of two hours and five minutes.
The Enhanced ACT is shorter than the old version. And with science now optional, composite averages only the three required sections. The score range is 1 to 36.
But what is on the ACT, specifically, and what should students study for? Get answers ahead, including a breakdown of the sections, test timing, and more info about scoring.
The Enhanced ACT at a Glance
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s on the Enhanced ACT, based on ACT.org’s latest published specs as of February 2026, including the core sections and optional tests.
| Section | # of Questions | Time | Score Range | Notes |
| English (core) | 50 | 35 min | 1–36 | Short and long passages; question stems added |
| Math (core) | 45 | 50 min | 1–36 | 4 answer choices; calculator allowed; built-in Desmos for digital test |
| Reading (core) | 36 | 40 min | 1–36 | Shorter passages, fewer questions |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40 min | 1–36 (reported separately) | Adds $5; doesn’t affect composite; comes with STEM score; includes engineering and design content |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 min | 2–12 | Adds $25; doesn’t affect composite; comes with ELA score |
| Total (core) | 131 | 2 hr 5 min (plus break) | 1–36 (composite) | English, math, and reading only; $70 base registration |
Sources: ACT The ACT Test for Students, ACT Exam Sections, Structure & Timing, Fees
If you do all sections, including the core three, plus science and writing, the total allowed test time is three hours and 25 minutes, plus a break.
Core Section 1 — English
The English portion of the ACT has 50 questions. Students have 35 minutes to complete it.
The legacy ACT only included long essays, but the new Enhanced ACT includes a mix of short and long passages. Also, each question now has a question stem that tells you what it’s testing for (grammar, organization, style, etc.).
Testing subcategories include:
- Conventions of standard English (punctuation, grammar, sentence structure)
- Production of writing (topic development, organization, unity)
- Knowledge of language (word choice, style, tone)
There’s also an argumentative essay passage, a newer addition to the English ACT section.
Core Section 2 — Math
The math section has 45 questions. There are now four answer choices for each question instead of the previous five. Students have 50 minutes to complete it.
A calculator is allowed for all questions. Students can use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator on digital testing platforms or bring an approved device.
Topics on the ACT math section:
- Preparing for higher math (algebra, functions, geometry, number and quantity, statistics and probability)
- Integrating essential skills (averages, rates, proportions, measurement)
- Modeling (creating and interpreting mathematical models)
What’s the best way to prepare for the ACT? See our guide to ACT test prep for detailed pointers.
Core Section 3 — Reading
The reading section has 36 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete it. This is slightly fewer questions and more time than the legacy test (it used to be 40 questions in 35 minutes). So, you have a little more time per question.
Topics on the ACT reading section:
- Key ideas and details (identifying themes, summarizing, understanding cause and effect, logical inference, conclusions)
- Craft and structure (interpreting meaning, understanding narrative purpose, evaluating perspectives, analyzing author choices)
- Integration of knowledge and ideas (analyzing claims, distinguishing facts and opinions, evaluating reasoning, connecting passages)
Passages are shorter than the previous format, but this section contains both short and longer passages.
See our step-by-step ACT study guide for recommendations on preparing for each section.
Optional — Science
The optional science section of the ACT has 40 questions. Students who choose to take this test will have 40 minutes to complete it (one minute per question).
Topics include:
- Interpretation of data (analyzing table data, reading graphs, interpreting diagrams, identifying trends, translating formats, mathematical reasoning)
- Scientific investigation (identifying experiment goals, understanding variables and controls, predicting results, etc.)
- Evaluating scientific arguments and models with evidence (assessing claim validity, making predictions, evaluating tradeoffs, finding constraints in engineering and design, etc.)
The science section is reported as a separate score. Like the composite average for the three core sections, the score range is 1 to 36. Students who take this test will also receive a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) score averaging their math and science scores.
Not every student needs to take the science section of the ACT. But STEM-bound students applying to schools that request or recommend a science score should plan to include it. The add-on fee for this test is $5.
Optional — Writing
The optional science section of the ACT is a single essay. Students have 40 minutes to complete it.
Topics include:
- Ideas and analysis
- Development and support
- Organization
- Language use and conventions
Scores for this section range from 2 to 12 and don’t factor into the composite average. Those who take this ACT test will receive a separate writing score and an ELA (English language arts) score averaging English, reading, and writing.
Fewer schools require this ACT test than before. Check the admissions page for each of your student’s target schools for specifics on what they look for in applications.
As of September 2026, the writing add-on for the ACT is $25.
How the ACT Is Scored (Enhanced Format)
Each required core section (English, math, and reading) is scored from 1 to 36. The test-taker’s ACT score is the average of these three scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. This is the primary number colleges look at when reviewing admissions.
Good to know: There’s no penalty for incorrect answers on the ACT. The score is based on the number of correct answers only. So, if you have time, it’s OK to guess, especially on multiple-choice questions.
Applying to top colleges? Learn how to score 30+ on the ACT.
The optional science section is a separate score ranging from 1 to 36. Students who take this portion of the ACT will also get a STEM score that averages math and science (also 1 to 36).
The optional writing section is a separate score ranging from 2 to 12 (a sum of the two domain scores for this test, each scored from 1 to 6). Students who opt to do this portion of the ACT will also get an ELA score averaging English, reading, and writing.
FYI: The ACT isn’t adaptive, unlike the digital SAT®. Every student in each testing session gets the same questions in the same order.
See our ACT vs. SAT® guide to compare testing formats.
Paper vs. Digital — What’s Different?
Paper and digital test formats both use Enhanced ACT content: same questions, same timing, same scoring model.
But with the online ACT, students can use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator, as well as text highlighting, answer masking, zoom-in, and other accessibility features. Scratch paper is still provided.
For the paper format, annotations (writing, underlining, math equations, etc.) are done in the printed test booklet. Students will need to bring their own approved calculator for the math section.
You can choose your format when registering for the ACT.
What’s NOT on the ACT Anymore
With the newer streamlined Enhanced ACT, science is no longer a required section. The legacy test included 215 questions and was nearly three hours long. The reading and English passages are also now shorter.
C2 Education’s ACT prep program has been fully updated for the Enhanced format since its September 2025 rollout.
Know the Test, Then Make a Plan
Now that you know what’s on the Enhanced ACT, the next step is a plan built around your student. What you don’t need is another generic study guide. C2 Education starts with a free diagnostic and consultation, then builds a personalized ACT prep plan with expert tutors and a 3:1 small-group format.
Book a free diagnostic assessment or find a C2 ACT prep center near you.
Read next: What Is a Good ACT Score? Score Ranges, Percentiles, and College Expectations
FAQs
How many questions are on the ACT?
The three-section core Enhanced ACT (English, math, and reading) is now 131 questions. Each core section includes only multiple-choice questions.
How long is the ACT?
Students get a total of two hours and five minutes to complete the ACT’s three core sections: 35 minutes for English, 50 minutes for math, and 40 minutes for reading. Test takers usually get a short break about halfway through.
Is the ACT on a computer?
You can take the digital version of the ACT on a computer. Students also have the option to do the paper format. The format is chosen upon registering for the ACT.
Should your child take the ACT in the summer? Get answers and explore summer test prep boot camps.
SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with C2 Education or this website.
Sources:
ACT. What’s on the ACT Test? Exam Sections & Structure. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-exam-sections-and-structure.html
ACT. Understanding Your Scores. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/understanding-your-scores.html
ACT. Design Framework for the ACT Enhancements. https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/R2519-Design-Framework-for-the-ACT-Enhancements-2026-02.pdf
ACT. Calculator Policy. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-day/calculator-policy.html
ACT. ACT Online Testing. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-day/online-testing.html
ACT. ACT Test Fees. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/fees.html
ACT. Enhanced ACT FAQs for K-12. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test/enhancements-k12/faqs.html
ACT. Writing Test Description for the ACT. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/description-of-writing-test.html
