The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized exam used for college admission. The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. There is also an optional Writing portion of the exam.
ACT FORMAT AND TEST DATES
WHAT IS THE ACT?
ACT FORMAT: Paper Test through July 2025
The paper version of the ACT is a 3 hour and 30 minute exam consisting of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional writing section. The breakdown of each section is as follows:
| ACT Test Section | # of Questions | Content | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH | 75 questions | Punctuation Grammar and usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills |
45 minutes |
| MATHEMATICS | 60 questions | Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry/Trigonometry |
60 minutes |
| READING | 40 questions | Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities |
35 minutes |
| SCIENCE | 40 questions | Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints |
35 minutes |
| WRITING (OPTIONAL) | 1 prompt | Ideas & Analysis Development & Support Organization Language Use & Conventions |
40 minutes |
ACT FORMAT: Digital Test (starting in April 2025) and Updated Paper Test (starting Sept 2025)
The Updated ACT is a 2 to 3.5 hour exam consisting of three required multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, and Reading, along with optional Science and writing sections. The breakdown of each section is as follows:
| ACT Test Section | # of Questions | Content | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH | 50 questions | Punctuation Grammar and usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills |
35 minutes |
| MATHEMATICS | 45 questions | Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry/Trigonometry |
50 minutes |
| READING | 36 questions | Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities |
40 minutes |
| SCIENCE (OPTIONAL) | 40 questions | Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints |
40 minutes |
| WRITING (OPTIONAL) | 1 prompt | Ideas & Analysis Development & Support Organization Language Use & Conventions |
40 minutes |
ACT TEST DATES
Below are official test dates for the ACT’s 2025-2026 season. Score release dates are estimates only. Please be advised these dates are subject to change. To view ACT’s official release of test dates, please reference this link.
| 2025-2026 Test Dates | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Estimated Score Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 5, 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 16, 2025 | April 15 – April 29, 2025 |
| June 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 26, 2025 | June 24 – July 8, 2025 |
| July 12, 2025* | June 6, 2025 | June 20, 2025 | July 22 – August 5, 2025 |
| September 6, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | August 19, 2025 | Sept 16 – Sept 30, 2025 |
| October 18, 2025 | September 12, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | October 28 – November 11, 2025 |
| December 13, 2025 | November 7, 2025 | November 24, 2025 | Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026 |
| February 14, 2026 | January 7, 2026 | January 21, 2026 | February 24 – March 10, 2026 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | March 24, 2026 | April 21 – May 5, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | May 18 – June 1, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026* | June 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | July 21 – August 4, 2026 |
*July test dates are not available in New York
NOTE: For the April, June, and July 2025 test dates, the digital ACT will reflect the new test format and have an optional Science section, while the paper test will reflect the old format and require the Science section. Starting in September 2025, both test formats will reflect the new test format, with the science section being optional.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Don’t stop here! Check out our blog for new posts about preparing for the ACT. Below are a few posts you may find useful.
PAPER OR DIGITAL ACT? NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL ACT IN A TIME OF TRANSITION
While the SAT has already gone fully digital, the ACT is in the middle of its transition to digital testing. Starting this April (2025), test takers in the United States can choose to take the ACT on the computer or on paper. Both tests must be taken at a school or test center… READ MORE
HOW TO GET A PERFECT SCORE ON THE ACT!
Over one million students take the ACT every year. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of these students earn a perfect score on the exam. So how can you score a 36 on the ACT? It’s not impossible to get a perfect score, but it does require hard work… READ MORE
FIVE TEST-TAKING SECRETS FOR THE ACT
So you’ve taken a class, or even had a private tutor help you prepare for your test. Is there anything else you can do? While private tutoring remains the most efficient way to improve your score… READ MORE
