About the ACT

The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities for admissions and merit-based scholarships. There are four sections in this standardized test: English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional essay. The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes without the essay and 3 hours and 40 minutes with the essay. Compared to the SAT, there is slightly more of a time crunch per question. The Science section tests students' critical thinking skills and ability to interpret graphs and studies. It does not require specific science knowledge. The Math section covers arithmetic, algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, probability, and statistics. Compared to the SAT, there is a larger emphasis on geometry and trigonometry. Calculators are permitted on all questions in the Math section. In the English section, passages are all at a relatively easy level around early high school. In short, the ACT focuses more on strict knowledge.