ACT Exam Preparation – How To Study For the ACT Exam

The ACT is a key component in college admissions across the United States and Canada. If you’re planning to study abroad, understanding how the ACT works and how to prepare is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know, from test format and section-wise strategies to registration, important dates, and prep resources. Whether you’re just starting your ACT exam preparation or looking to improve your score, use this roadmap to structure your study plan and maximise your performance on test day.

What Is The ACT Exam? 

The ACT (American College Testing) exam is a standardised test used primarily for college admissions in the United States and Canada. It evaluates high school students’ readiness for college-level academics through four core sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, along with an optional Writing section.

This exam is a multiple-choice, curriculum-based test that focuses on reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills rather than rote memorisation. The exam takes approximately 2 hours 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if Writing is included) and can be taken online or on paper. 

The Writing section in the ACT is optional and can be selected based on the requirements of the universities you are applying to. If you choose to take the Writing section, an additional fee is charged during registration. The ACT exam is accepted by all four-year universities in the United States, making it a widely recognised option for undergraduate admissions.

Understanding the ACT Test Structure

The ACT test structure consists of four mandatory multiple-choice sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, plus an optional Writing (essay) section. The structure and timing for 2025 are as follows:

Crafting Your ACT Study Plan

To succeed in the ACT, create a realistic and focused study plan:

• Assess Your Baseline: Take a diagnostic test to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Set a Target Score: Research your dream colleges and determine what ACT score you’ll need.
• Make a Weekly Study Schedule: Prioritise weaker sections but keep reviewing the stronger ones.
• Mix Practice with Review: Don’t just take practice tests, analyse your mistakes and revise concepts.
• Use Official Resources: Practice with real ACT questions for familiarity and accuracy.

A disciplined and targeted ACT exam preparation routine can make a significant difference in your final score.

Section-Specific Strategies: How to Prepare for the ACT Exam

Each section of the ACT tests a different set of skills, so your approach should vary accordingly. Below are targeted strategies for English, Math, Reading, Science, and the optional Writing section, designed to help you with your ACT test prep. 

English Section Strategies 

The ACT English section tests your grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills across five passages with multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to tackle it effectively:

• Match the Tone: Pay attention to whether the passage is formal, informal, or persuasive; your answer should fit the style.
• Use Context: Don’t isolate the underlined part. Read the full sentence and the nearby lines to understand the flow.
• Know What’s Being Tested: Identify if the question is about grammar, clarity, or structure before choosing your answer.
• Don’t Overuse “NO CHANGE”: Pick it only if you are sure it’s correct and appropriate for the context.
• Compare Carefully: Some choices fix one issue but cause another. Check all options for clarity and correctness.
• Handle Whole-Passage Questions: Look out for boxed numbers or asterisks, these usually ask about sentence order or overall structure.
• Double-Check Your Pick: Reread the sentence with your selected answer to ensure it fits naturally and makes sense.

Mathematics Section Strategies 

The ACT Math section assesses your understanding of mathematical concepts, emphasising both fundamental skills and your ability to apply them to solve problems efficiently and accurately. Below are ways you can tackle them effectively. 

• Use Your Calculator Wisely: Not every question needs a calculator. Use it only when it saves time often, mental math or scratch work is faster and more efficient.
• Read Carefully Before Solving: Understand what’s being asked before jumping in. Some questions include extra details; don’t let them distract you.
• Don’t Rely on Backsolving: While glancing at the answer choices can help, solving the problem directly is usually faster than testing each option one by one.
• Double-Check What’s Asked: Don’t stop at an intermediate step; make sure your final answer matches exactly what the question is asking for.
• Look for Reasonable Answers: Use common sense. If your result doesn’t fit the context (e.g., a negative number of apples), something’s probably off.
• Review If Time Allows: If you finish early, revisit tough questions. Even minor calculation errors can lead to incorrect answers; double-check your steps.

Reading Section Strategies 

The reading section tests your ability to quickly read, understand, and interpret passages, just like you would need to in college-level coursework. It’s not about memorisation, it’s about comprehension, reasoning, and analysis. Below are tips to help you get through this part of the examination. 

• Read the Passage Carefully: Don’t skim. Understand the main idea, the author’s tone, and how ideas are connected. Pay attention to transitions and structure.
• Refer Back to the Text: Many questions are based on explicit details, go back and find them. For inference-based questions, think about what the author is implying, not just saying outright.
• Don’t Rely on Memory: Always double-check your answers by locating evidence in the passage, especially for tricky or similar-sounding options.
• Understand the Question Type: Identify whether the question asks for a fact, a tone, a comparison, or a conclusion. This helps guide your reading focus.
• Manage Your Time: You will have 35 minutes for 4 passages, spend no more than 8–9 minutes per passage, including answering questions.

Science Section Strategies

It’s essentially a reading and logic test with a scientific context, your ability to work through information, not recall it. Below are some strategies to keep in mind while working on this section. 

• Read Carefully, Especially Data: Review the entire passage, including graphs, charts, and experiments. Understand the variables, controls, and what the data shows.
• Focus on Experimental Design: For passages describing experiments, note the setup, purpose, and differences between trials, questions often test this.
• Track Conflicting Viewpoints: For passages with multiple opinions or theories, summarise each viewpoint. Many questions will ask you to compare or differentiate them.
• Skim Strategically, Don’t Skip: You don’t need a science background to focus on interpreting visuals and extracting key info from the text.
• Time Yourself: 40 questions in 35 minutes means less than a minute per question, stay efficient and move on if stuck.

Writing Section Strategies 

• Plan Before You Write: Read the prompt carefully. Understand all perspectives and outline your argument before starting.
• Stay Focused & Clear: Take a clear position, support it with reasoning and relevant examples, and organise your ideas logically.
• Use Strong Language: Choose precise words and make sure your logic flows well from point to point.
• Leave Time to Review: Save a few minutes to proofread and fix grammar or clarity issues.
• Practice Under Time Limits: Write timed essays to build speed, structure, and clarity under pressure.

Essential Resources for ACT Prep

Preparing for the ACT requires the right mix of strategy, practice, and reliable study materials. Whether you are just getting started or looking to boost your score, the following resources, ranging from official guides to expert-led classes, offer support to help you perform at your best on test day.

1. Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026 Edition

The official guide is highly recommended as it offers eight practice tests (four reflecting the enhanced ACT), full answer explanations, digital flashcards, custom test banks, and tips directly from the ACT organisation.

2. ACT Official Subject Guides

Individual prep books (English, Math, Reading, Science), each with 200 new questions and detailed explanations, are ideal for focused practice.

3. Online and Live Classes Powered by Kaplan

Options include self-paced tutorials, live online classes, and 1-on-1 tutoring, all featuring instruction from 99th percentile scorers and flexible preparation strategies.

4. Free Resources

Create a MyACT account for access to the daily “Question of the Day,” a free official online practice test, and other free online prep tools and live ACT prep events.

5. Other Notable Books

Barron’s ACT Study Guide, Princeton Review ACT Premium Prep, and Kaplan’s ACT Prep Plus 2025 offer comprehensive overviews, practice tests, and targeted content review with online supplements.

ACT Exam Fees and Registration

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines:

Planning ahead is key when it comes to taking the ACT Exam. Below are the official test dates for the 2025–2026 cycle, along with their corresponding registration deadlines. Make sure to register on time to avoid late fees and secure your preferred test center.

General Test-Taking Tips

Read Instructions Carefully: Don’t assume, take a moment to understand what each question is really asking.

Pace Yourself: Each section is timed. Keep an eye on the clock and don’t get stuck on one question for too long.

Use the Process of Elimination: Cross out clearly wrong answers to narrow down your choices, even if you’re unsure of the correct one.

Guess Strategically: There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so don’t leave any questions blank. Make an educated guess if needed.

Bubble Smartly: Make sure your answers are bubbled in correctly and in the right row, especially on paper tests.

Stay Calm & Focused: Take deep breaths if you feel anxious. Stay confident, and if one section doesn’t go well, reset your focus for the next.

Bring the Essentials: Pack your admission ticket, valid photo ID, approved calculator, sharpened pencils, and a watch (without alarms).

Scoring well on the ACT isn’t just about what you know; it’s about how you prepare. With the right ACT exam preparation plan, resources, and consistent practice, you can tackle each section confidently. Start early, stay focused, and approach test day with a clear strategy. Whether your goal is college admissions, scholarships, or personal achievement, the ACT is your opportunity to stand out.

Curious about other exams for your study abroad journey? These articles have you covered!

• List Of Popular Exams For Studying Abroad In 2025
• Key Differences Between PSAT Vs SAT
• Graduate Record Examination [GRE]: A Complete Guide

FAQs 

1. How to study for the ACT exam?

To study for the ACT exam, start by reviewing the exam pattern and familiarising yourself with the topics covered in each section. Take a diagnostic test, focus on your weak areas, create a study timetable, and use official ACT preparation materials and timed mock tests to build speed, accuracy, and confidence.

2. Is the ACT exam difficult?

The ACT exam can be challenging, but it’s designed to test skills you have already learned in high school like grammar, math, reading, and scientific reasoning. With the right preparation and practice, many students find it manageable and even improve their scores significantly over time.

3. What is a good ACT score?

A good ACT score depends on the colleges you’re applying to, but in general:

• Average score: Around 20–21 (the national average)
• Competitive score: 24–27 (above average)
• Top-tier universities: Aim for 30+
• Perfect score: 36

Always check the score ranges for your target colleges to set a realistic and strategic goal.

4. What is the ACT exam syllabus?

The ACT exam syllabus includes four core sections: English (grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure), Math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics), Reading (comprehension, analysis, and inference), and Science (data interpretation, experimental analysis, and scientific reasoning).