The ACT exam encompasses four core sections and one optional section:
Scoring in the ACT :
Every ACT section – English, Math, Reading, and Science – is evaluated on a scale of 1 to 36. The composite score, which represents the average of all four tests, is also on the same scale. For students opting for the writing test, the writing score is provided separately, ranging from 1 to 36.
It’s important to note that the writing score does not impact the composite score. The highest ACT scores typically fall within the range of 31 to 36.
Here are the average ACT Scores by Sections:
| ACT Exam Sections | Average Act Scores |
| English | 20.3 |
| Math | 20.9 |
| Reading | 21.3 |
| Science | 20.8 |
| Composite | 21.0 |
ACT Score Validity:
The ACT total scores are valid for 5 years after the testing year in which you tested:
ACT Results: ACT results are typically available online within two to three weeks after the test date. If you took the ACT with writing, your writing score will be posted online approximately two weeks after the general scores are released.
To view their ACT exam score and results, applicants can log in to their My ACT account using their credentials. Additionally, applicants can track the delivery of their ACT scores to specific colleges based on the provided timeline.
Effective time management for the 2024 Syllabus of the ACT Exam:
To do well on the 2024 ACT exam, examinees must thoroughly master the entire curriculum. Successful time management plays an important role in achieving a high score. Therefore, candidates must set specific time intervals for each section.
The attached table shows the suggested time allocation for each section to ensure comprehensive coverage of the maximum number of questions.
| Segments of the ACT Exam | Allotted Time for Each ACT Section | Quantity of Questions in the ACT Exam |
| English Division | 45 Minutes | 75 Questions |
| Mathematics Division | 60 Minutes | 60 Questions |
| Reading Division | 35 Minutes | 40 Questions |
| Science Division | 35 Minutes | 40 Questions |
| Writing Test Division(Optional) | 30 Minutes | 1 Essay Prompt |
Syllabus of ACT Exam:
ACT English Section Overview:
The ACT’s English section emphasizes language proficiency and comprehension through two key areas:
Usage/Mechanics (52-55%):
- Punctuation: Assessing knowledge of internal and end-of-sentence punctuation, emphasizing the relationship of punctuation to meaning.
- Grammar and Usage: Evaluating understanding of agreement, pronoun case, verb formation, idiomatic usage, and comparative/superlative adjectives and adverbs.
- Sentence Structure: Testing comprehension of relationships between clauses, shifts in construction, and modifier placement.
Rhetorical Skills (15-17%):
- Strategy: Assessing the development of a topic, appropriate expressions, and the impact of adding, deleting, or revising supporting material.
- Organization: Testing the ability to organize ideas and choose effective opening, transitional, and closing sentences.
- Style: Evaluating word and image selection, sentence element management, style and tone maintenance, and avoidance of ambiguous pronouns.
ACT Mathematics Section Overview:
The ACT’s Mathematics section covers diverse mathematical concepts divided into two primary categories:
Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra (57-60%):
- Pre-Algebra: Questions on operations, exponents, square roots, fractions, linear equations, integers, scientific notation, ratios, proportions, and descriptive statistics.
- Elementary Algebra: Solving quadratic equations, multiplying binomials, solving linear equations, inequalities, substitution, and simplifying expressions.
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry (12-15%):
- Plane Geometry: Concepts related to 3-D geometry, triangles, parallelograms, lines and angles, volume, polygons, and properties of circles, triangles, and parallelograms.
- Trigonometry: Questions on trigonometric identities and graphs, graphing trigonometric functions, and solving trigonometric equations.
ACT Reading Section Overview:
The ACT’s Reading section evaluates students in three key categories:
Key Ideas & Details (52–60%):
- Social Studies: Passages covering biography, anthropology, business, economics, psychology, history, archaeology, geography, political science, education, and sociology.
- Natural Sciences: Passages in meteorology, astronomy, biology, botany, ecology, geology, physics, medicine, technology, chemistry, and zoology.
Craft & Structure (25–30%):
- Literary Narrative or Prose Fiction: Questions based on passages from novels, memoirs, short stories, and personal essays.
- Humanities: Passages in art, dance, film, language, literature, philosophy, music, radio, television, ethics, architecture, and theater.
Integration of Knowledge & Ideas (13–23%):
Questions assessing the integration of information from various passages and understanding relationships between different concepts.
ACT Science Section Overview:
The ACT’s Science section assesses scientific reasoning and interpretation through three formats:
Data Representation (25-30%):
Graphic and tabular material testing skills in graph reading, table interpretation, and scatterplot analysis.
Research Summaries (45-60%):
Descriptions of experiments evaluating design and results explanation.
Conflicting Viewpoints (15-20%):
Presentation of divergent hypotheses, focusing on analysis, understanding, and comparison of alternative viewpoints.
Key Points:
- Multiple-choice format: All sections, except Writing, are presented in a multiple-choice format.
- Scoring: Each section receives a score on a scale of 1-36, contributing to a composite score ranging from 1-36 based on the average of all four sections.
- Duration: The exam lasts for 2 hours and 55 minutes without Writing, and 3 hours and 35 minutes with Writing.
- Syllabus: Each section covers specific topics aligned with the high school curriculum, as detailed in the resources below.
ACT Exam Preparation Tips:
When gearing up for the ACT, you’ll find two main paths to explore: Self-Study and Coaching Classes, each offered at the Litera Centre. Each avenue brings unique advantages, and it’s not about one being superior to the other; it’s about catering to diverse needs. The choice between the two hinges on your personal preferences and requirements.
- Self-Study: If budget considerations weigh on your mind and you trust your ability to prepare independently, self-study might be the more budget-friendly route. It means saving on personal tuition and classes, but it does demand a solid collection of books and study materials, coupled with self-motivation and discipline.
- Coaching: For those pressed for time and seeking professional guidance for that competitive edge, coaching classes could be the way to go. These classes grant access to top-notch study materials and expert guidance. Regular attendance becomes a routine, and the motivation gets a boost from being part of a group of students all gearing up for the ACT. Choosing the right prep method for the ACT comes down to assessing your unique criteria and making a decision accordingly.
- Practice Tests and Sample Papers: Engaging with practice tests and sample papers is incredibly valuable. The method involves a step-by-step process of thoroughly delving into the syllabus, grasping the exam pattern, crafting a comprehensive prep plan for all sections, practicing with selected tests, and checking progress against old sample papers.
