ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Topics, Pattern & Preparation Tips

The ACT exam syllabus serves as an essential guide for students preparing to take the ACT test. It provides a clear overview of the exam’s structure, topics covered, and the key skills evaluated in the English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing sections. By understanding the updated ACT test syllabus 2025, you can plan your preparation more effectively and approach exam day with confidence.

An Overview of ACT Exam Subjects

The ideal time to start planning for overseas education is right after high school. For Indian students aiming to study in countries like the United States or Canada, appearing for the ACT is often a key admission requirement. Understanding the ACT exam syllabus for Indian students is crucial, as it covers essential subjects like English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and optional Writing. Gaining clarity on the syllabus, concepts, and test format helps students prepare strategically and build a strong foundation for success in the exam.

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: English Section Overview 

The ACT exam syllabus for the English section is designed to evaluate a student’s command over English language skills, focusing on writing and editing proficiency across various rhetorical contexts. 

The ACT English section comprises 75 questions, which contribute to the total test score. It is divided into three key reporting categories, each reflecting specific knowledge and skill sets. 

Production of Writing

This category assesses a student’s understanding of a text’s purpose and how well it’s executed.

• Topic Development: Evaluate how effectively a writer develops and supports ideas. You’ll need to determine the purpose of a passage or section, assess whether that purpose is achieved, and analyze how well the content aligns with the main idea.
• Organization, Unity, and Cohesion: Identify strategies to ensure a logical structure, smooth transitions, and strong openings and conclusions within a passage.

Knowledge of Language

This section focuses on effective language use, requiring candidates to demonstrate clarity, precision, and consistency in word choice, tone, and style.

• Emphasis is placed on choosing the most concise and appropriate words or phrases, maintaining stylistic consistency, and refining the overall tone to suit the rhetorical purpose.

Conventions of Standard English

This category tests your grasp of grammar rules and standard writing conventions.

• Sentence Structure and Formation: Improve and revise sentence construction to enhance clarity and flow.
• Punctuation: Apply correct punctuation rules to enhance readability and ensure grammatical accuracy.
• Usage: Identify and correct common errors in standard English usage to refine written expression.

Aspects	Weightage
Production of Writing	29% – 32%
Knowledge of Language	15% – 17%
Conventions of Standard English	52% – 55%

Learn More: English speaking practice topics | 20+ topics to practice well!

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Mathematics Section Overview

The ACT exam syllabus 2025 for the Mathematics section focuses on evaluating a student’s mathematical proficiency, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 

Preparing for Higher Math

This component forms the core of the syllabus for math, accounting for 57–60% of the total score. It tests concepts typically covered through grade 12 and includes:

• Real and Complex Number Systems
  
• Linear, Polynomial, Radical, and Exponential Relationships
  
• Functions such as linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic

Students are expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of mathematical principles and apply them to problem-solving tasks effectively.

Integrating Essential Skills

This section, carrying a 40–43% weightage, evaluates students’ ability to apply fundamental skills to complex scenarios. Topics include:

• Rates and Percentages
• Proportional Relationships
• Area, Surface Area, and Volume
• Averages and Medians
• Expressing Numbers in Various Forms

It focuses on multi-step problems that require strategic thinking and the integration of different mathematical domains.

Aspects	Weightage
Preparing for Higher Math	57% – 60%
– Number & Quantity	7% – 10%
– Algebra	12% – 15%
– Functions	12% – 15%
– Geometry	12% – 15%
– Statistics & Probability	8% – 12%
Integrating Essential Skills	40% – 43%

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Reading Section Overview

The ACT exam syllabus 2025 for the Reading section is designed to evaluate a student’s ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret a variety of reading materials. The section is divided into three core components, each targeting specific reading skills and assigned a defined weightage in the overall reading score.

Key Ideas and Details

This category carries the highest weightage (52–60%) in the Reading section. It focuses on a student’s ability to understand the central theme of a passage, identify key details, and interpret important events and facts to answer questions accurately.

Craft and Structure

With a weightage of 25–30%, this section measures a student’s ability to analyze an author’s language choices, narrative style, and structure. 

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

This segment contributes 13–23% to the Reading section. It evaluates a candidate’s ability to synthesize ideas across different texts, draw comparisons, and apply general reasoning skills, even without prior knowledge of the topic. 

Topic	Weightage
Key Ideas and Details	52% – 60%
Craft and Structure	25% – 30%
Integration of Knowledge & Ideas	13% – 23%

Read More: Colleges Accepting 25 to 30 ACT Score | Top Colleges List

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Science Section Breakdown

The ACT exam syllabus 2025 for the Science section is designed to evaluate a student’s scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and analytical thinking abilities. It is divided into three key components: Data Representation, Research Summaries, and Conflicting Viewpoints. Together, these sections make up the full weightage of the ACT Science syllabus.

Each subsection tests specific skills such as:

• Reading and interpreting graphs, tables, and scatterplots
• Understanding and analyzing experimental designs and research summaries
• Evaluating and comparing alternative scientific hypotheses

Topic	Weightage
Interpretation of Data	40% – 50%
Scientific Investigation	20% – 30%
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results	25% – 35%

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Writing Section (Optional)

The optional Writing section in the ACT exam syllabus evaluates a student’s ability to develop and present a clear, persuasive essay. Test-takers are required to analyze a given issue and construct a well-organized argument supported by logical reasoning and relevant evidence.

In this section, you will:

• • Write one essay based on a prompt that presents three different perspectives on an issue.
  • Develop your own viewpoint and compare it with the given perspectives.
  • Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, coherent structure, and clarity of expression.

ACT 2025 Test Format and Section-wise Structure

The ACT 2025 test format outlines the timing, number of questions, and structure of each section. The core test lasts 3 hours, and for students opting to take the optional Writing section, the total duration extends to 3 hours and 40 minutes.

ACT Exam Pattern: Section-wise Breakdown

Section	Duration (Minutes)	No. of Questions/Tasks	Question Type
English	45	75	Multiple-choice (4 options); focuses on usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills
Mathematics	60	60	Multiple-choice (4–5 options); tests algebra, geometry, and higher-level math
Reading	35	40	Multiple-choice (4–5 options); based on referring and reasoning questions
Science	35	40	Multiple-choice (4 options); includes data, research summaries, and viewpoints
Writing (Optional)	40	1 Essay	One essay prompt assessing argument development and clarity

Learn More: Average ACT score | Boost your chances of admission!

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Preparation Strategies

To prepare effectively for the ACT exam, it’s essential to gain a solid understanding of the ACT syllabus along with the test pattern.

Manage Your Time Wisely

• Review the ACT syllabus and exam pattern to understand how many questions are asked in each section and how much time is allotted.
• Estimate the time you can spend on each question and aim to finish early so you have extra minutes to review your answers.
• Allocate time evenly but leave room to revisit tricky questions at the end.

Follow a Smart Question Strategy

• Begin with the questions you find easiest. This helps you build confidence and ensures you secure those marks quickly.
• If time allows, return to the more difficult questions afterward.

Use the Process of Elimination

• In multiple-choice questions (MCQs), it’s often faster to eliminate obviously incorrect options.
• Narrowing down your choices increases your chances of selecting the correct answer with greater accuracy.

Attempt Every Question

• There is no negative marking in the ACT exam, so make sure to answer every question—even if you’re unsure.
• An educated guess is always better than leaving a question blank.
  

Key Takeaways

• A clear grasp of the ACT exam syllabus 2025 for each section—English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing—lays the foundation for focused preparation.
• Familiarizing yourself with the ACT exam format and question types enables better time management and helps reduce exam-day anxiety.
• Apply smart techniques like time allocation, process of elimination, and answering all questions to maximize your score potential without the fear of negative marking.

Like this blog? 

Also read ACT vs. SAT: A guide to choosing the right exam for you.

FAQs

Question 1. What is the ACT examination registration fee?
Answer. The ACT exam fee in India is INR 4,835.25 for the standard test without the Writing section. If you choose to take the ACT with the optional Writing section, the fee is INR 6,754. Additionally, there is a late registration fee or test centre/date change fee of INR 1,918.75.

Question 2. What items are not allowed on ACT exam day?
Answer. On the ACT exam day, students should not bring items such as textbooks, dictionaries, highlighters, electronic devices, tobacco products, or any reading material. These are prohibited inside the test center.

Question 3. What are some effective strategies for taking the ACT exam?
Answer. To perform well in the ACT, students should strengthen their subject-wise aptitude, apply logical reasoning to answer each question, and focus on revising unfamiliar topics across all sections of the exam. Regular practice and timed mock tests are also highly recommended.