Time is your enemy on the ACT, and you have to use it wisely. After all, how often do you take a test in school with a minute or less per question? Don’t panic! Get the ACT timing tips you need to manage your pace throughout each section of the test.
The ACT is 3 hours long (technically 2 hours and 55 minutes). Including breaks, the exam takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. If you sign up for the optional essay (the ACT Plus Writing), the test clocks in at 3 hours and 40 minutes or just over 4 hours with breaks.
Here’s how your time is broken up by section:
Time | # of questions | |
---|---|---|
English | 45 min | 75 questions |
Math | 60 min | 60 questions |
Reading | 35 min | 40 questions |
Science | 35 minutes | 40 questions |
Writing | 40 minutes | 1 essay |
ACT test-takers are required to report to their test center by 8:00 am. The test begins after students are checked in and seated, usually by 8:30 am.
Your personal pacing strategy will depend on:
See what’s working and what’s not by taking practice tests. We’ve got a free ACT practice test right here. Here are some ACT timing tips to keep in mind as you practice for your test date:
Read More: What's a Good ACT Score?
The most important thing is to finish. Try finding all the easy questions (the ones you know how to do) on the English Test first. Learn more about working questions out of order in our ACT Tips and Tricks article.
Spend more time to do fewer questions, and you’ll raise your accuracy. How do you know if you’re going too fast? Check your practice tests for careless errors on questions you should have gotten right. Get some ACT math practice here.
Practice extensively to find the pace that works best for you on the Reading Test.
The ACT science test may have either 6 or 7 passages. Be aggressive and keep moving! Spend the time needed to ace the easiest passages first. Then move on the more difficult passages. Even on hard passages, work the the questions that look easiest first.
Read More: How to Write the ACT Essay
Outlining your essay before you write will keep you on track. Plus, organization is key to a great ACT writing score—you'll be doing yourself a big favor!
Remember, there is no guessing penalty on the ACT. Always mark an answer even if you don’t “work” the problem.
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