ACT Test Content
The ACT is divided into four individual subject examinations, each one covering a separate subject area. The material in each exam breaks down as follows:
- English - Students are tested on standards of written English-which covers punctuation, sentence structure and grammar rules-and rhetorical skills, which refer to the strategy and overall communication style of a passage. The exam consists of several prose passages, which are followed by several questions on the passage or selected parts. The test is designed to check understanding of standards and their usage, so spelling, vocabulary and rote knowledge of rules are not tested.
- Mathematics - Students are tested on mathematical concepts and practices that federal and state standards mandate be learned by 11th grade. The test is designed to check for mathematical reasoning and basic computational skills, so no complex formulas or elaborate computations will be included in the exam. Calculators are allowed, although there are restrictions.
- Reading - Students are tested on direct reading comprehension and inference based on the material presented. Similar to the English exam, the test consists of several prose passages from multiple disciplines, which are followed by several questions on the passage or selected parts. Since reading skills such as determining the main idea and understanding causal relationships are being tested, rote fact checking is not included in the exam.
- Science - Students are tested on interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Although science standards differ widely from state to state, it is presumed that the test takers will have had courses in biology, Earth sciences and the physical sciences by the 11th grade. The test consists of several data sets presented as data representation (graphs, charts, etc.), research summaries or expressions of conflicting hypotheses, which are followed by several questions after each set. Calculators are not allowed during the science exam.
