How to Prepare for the ACT

Understanding the ACT structure

The ACT is a standardised college admissions test administered by ACT, Inc. It consists of three core sections — English, Mathematics, and Reading — each scored on a 1–36 scale. Your composite score is the average of these three section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Starting in 2025, the ACT introduced an enhanced format in which the Science section is now optional (similar to Writing, which has been optional since 2005). When taken, Science is scored separately on a 1–36 scale and does not count toward your composite. A combined STEM score (average of Math and Science) is also available if you sit Science. Some universities specifically require or recommend the Science section — check each college's admissions policy. Similarly, the optional Writing test (an essay) does not affect your composite. Always verify the current format, section availability, timing, and fee information on the official ACT website before you register.

Official ACT preparation resources

ACT, Inc. provides official free preparation materials directly on its website at act.org. These include free practice tests, sample questions by section, and a free online prep course. Using official ACT materials is important because they are written by the same organisation that creates the real test.

ACT also offers ACT Academy, a free online learning tool built around released ACT content that generates a personalised study plan based on a practice test. For students who want additional structured support, paid options exist, but official free resources are a strong starting point before investing in third-party materials.

• Official ACT practice tests — full-length, free on act.org
• ACT Academy — free personalised online prep based on your practice test
• Sample questions by section — available in the ACT Prep Guide on act.org

Building a study plan

Start by taking a full official practice test under realistic timed conditions. Review your section scores to identify where you lost the most points — the ACT's core sections test different skills, and your strengths and gaps will vary.

Prioritise weak areas in your study sessions. The English section tests grammar and rhetorical skills, while Reading and Math cover their respective domains at a high-school level.

The Science section is now optional under the Enhanced ACT (rolling out from 2025). Before deciding whether to prepare for it, confirm whether the colleges on your list require or recommend it — the policy varies by institution. If you plan to sit Science, check the current format and preparation resources on the official ACT website.

Set a study schedule several weeks or months before your test date. Consistent, regular practice sessions are more effective than last-minute cramming. No preparation method guarantees a specific score — results vary by individual.

ACT vs SAT: which should you take?

All US colleges that accept standardised tests accept both the ACT and the SAT — neither is preferred over the other for admissions purposes. Your choice should come down to which test plays to your strengths.

Students who are comfortable with a multi-section, paper-or-digital format sometimes prefer the ACT. Students who prefer a fully digital adaptive two-section test sometimes prefer the SAT. The most reliable way to decide is to take a full official practice test for each and compare your performance and comfort level.

Test-optional policies are set by each university individually and change regularly. Always verify the current standardised-test requirement on each college's official admissions page.

International test-takers

International students can register for the ACT at international test centres. International test dates, available locations, and fees are listed on the ACT international testing page — verify current details there before registering, as fees and date availability differ from domestic testing.

Most US colleges that accept the SAT also accept the ACT. Check each college's admissions page to confirm which standardised tests are accepted and whether submission is required or optional.