ACT exam subjects | Learning and training for exam

A brief about ACT exam subjects

The most suitable time to prepare to study abroad is usually after high school. Moreover, to study in nations like Canada or America, students must clear the ACT language proficiency test and be aware of ACT exam subjects important for university admissions. Transparency regarding the concepts, subjects, and exam patterns will help students prepare for the exam and create an optimal learning strategy.

Know the ACT exam pattern and structure 

ACT (American College Testing) examines the high school-level language aptitudes and analytical capabilities of the interested aspirants for four subjects, i.e., English, Math, Reading, and Science. In addition, each section strives to evaluate the student’s subject-specific aptitudes. 

The exam also has an optional writing section, whose primary objective is evaluating the student’s writing aptitudes. Below is the tabular representation of the ACT exam pattern, allowing you to understand the exam structure better. 

Section	Number of Questions	Time Limit
English	75	45 min
Math	60	60 min
Reading	40	35 min
Science	40	35 min
Writing (optional)	1 essay	40 min
Total	215 MCQs + 1 Essay	2 hours 55 minutes + 40 minutes

There is no negative marking for wrong answers in the ACT exam. The ACT writing test score varies on a ranking from 2–12; these marks do not impact the composite score. Moreover, a good ACT score can guarantee you get into top-notch universities and allow you to obtain merit scholarships for transcending students. Also, there are four answer options for the MCQs in the Reading, English, and Science sections. Five choices are available for multiple-choice questions in the Math Section. 

 

What are the ACT exam subjects? 

Here is a detailed description of the ACT exam subjects and syllabus- 

• English

It is the compulsory section of the ACT and will contain 75 MCQs from five excerpts. The questions are based on a comprehensive and elaborate overview of the passages. Moreover, these questions strive to examine an aspirant’s rhetorical aptitudes and grammar usage. Moreover, the grammar usage examination will concentrate on punctuation, sentence formulation, and the usage of the correct terms in a sentence.

On the other hand, the rhetorical aptitudes section will be based on the interpretation and comprehension of the provided excerpt. Punctuation-related topics are crucial as they correctly evaluate a student’s aptitudes using question marks, periods, commas, and colons. Sentence construction is essential in considering phrases, clauses, modifiers, and structure. The section will examine the capability of the examinees to change and enhance the given excerpt with proper corrections and terms. 

• Reading

The reading examination in the ACT will comprise four long reading comprehension paragraphs of four distinct genres. It will be from natural science, prose English, arts, and social science. Each of the reading comprehension passages will have ten questions. It will examine the capability to comprehend and interpret the format, tone, and flow of sentences, find small pieces in the excerpt and understand the primary characters and central concepts. 

• Mathematics

A simple calculator is permitted for solving this section of the ACT. The primary topics are multiples, percentages, factors, ratios, exponents, profit and loss, statistics, etc. It will comprise the full elementary mathematics syllabus for grades 11 and 12. 

• Science

The science section in the ACT will comprise seven passages and 40 multiple-choice questions in total. The subjects will be chemistry, earth science, physics, and biology. In addition, scientific ability, reasoning, analytics, assessment, and understanding of theories are necessary. Moreover, the ACT exam’s science section covers hypotheses, data, analyzing skills, and interpretations. 

• Writing (Optional)

The effectiveness of good essay writing is always crucial for the ACT exam. This section will comprise a brief passage along with three distinct perspectives. The students appearing for the test need to interpret the standpoints, record the defects and merits, and give practical reasoning for the statements.

Key takeaways 

• An in-depth understanding of all the ACT examination sections and the latest ACT exam structure can go a long way in developing your expectation for the upcoming American College Test. 

• Ensure you comprehend the prerequisites under all ACT exam sections thoughtfully. 

• A thorough evaluation will help you determine your areas of weakness and strength so you can work on them before the final exam. 

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 examination registration fee for international students is USD 51.

Question 2. What should students not bring to the ACT examination day?

Answer. On the ACT examination day, you should not bring textbooks, dictionaries, highlighter pens, any electronic device, tobacco, or reading material.

Question 3. What are some effective ACT test-taking strategies?

Answer. Some effective ACT examination strategies include updating your aptitude for different subjects, using your reasoning to answer every question, and studying all the domains and areas you are unfamiliar with.