ACT Study Guide: Section-by-Section Tips

The ACT consists of four required sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — plus an optional Writing section. Your composite score is the average of your four section scores, each ranging from 1 to 36. Understanding the timing constraints is critical: the ACT is one of the most time-pressured standardized tests, with an average of less than one minute per question across most sections.

The English section gives you 45 minutes for 75 questions, the Math section gives 60 minutes for 60 questions, Reading gives 35 minutes for 40 questions, and Science gives 35 minutes for 40 questions. This tight pacing means that speed and efficiency matter as much as knowledge. You need to develop strategies that let you answer questions quickly and accurately without second-guessing.

Start your prep by taking a full-length timed practice test to establish your baseline composite and section scores. Identify which sections have the largest gap between your current score and your target. Prioritize those sections in your study plan, but do not neglect your stronger areas entirely. Even a one-point improvement in a strong section contributes equally to your composite.

The ACT English section tests two broad categories: conventions of standard English (punctuation, grammar, sentence structure) and production of writing (topic development, organization, style). Conventions questions are the most learnable — master a set of core grammar rules and you can answer them quickly and confidently. Focus on comma rules, apostrophes, subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, and sentence fragments versus run-ons.

For rhetoric questions, you need to evaluate whether a sentence or passage effectively achieves its purpose. These questions ask about adding or deleting sentences, choosing the most relevant detail, or selecting the best transition. Always reread the surrounding context before answering. The correct choice will maintain the passage's focus and logical flow. When a question asks whether a sentence should be added, check whether it introduces new relevant information or merely repeats what has already been stated.

Pacing is manageable in the English section if you work steadily. You have roughly 36 seconds per question, which is sufficient if you do not overthink. Read each passage at a natural pace, answer questions as you encounter the underlined portions, and flag anything that takes more than 45 seconds to revisit later. Practicing under timed conditions on BuckleTime helps you internalize this pace so it feels natural on test day.

The ACT Math section covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. Questions are arranged roughly in order of difficulty, so the early questions are straightforward and the later ones are more challenging. A strong strategy is to move quickly through the first 30 to 40 questions, saving time for the harder problems at the end.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT allows a physical calculator for the entire math section. Use it strategically but do not become dependent on it — many problems are faster to solve mentally or with simple algebra. For coordinate geometry questions, sketching a quick graph can clarify relationships that are hard to see from equations alone. For plane geometry, always label your diagrams with given information before attempting to solve.

Trigonometry appears in roughly four to six questions, typically near the end. If trig is a weak area, learning the basics — SOHCAHTOA, the unit circle, and fundamental identities — can earn you easy points. If you are aiming for a 30-plus composite, you need these points. Dedicate specific study blocks to your weakest math topics. Using BuckleTime to schedule focused practice on topics like trigonometry or coordinate geometry ensures these sessions actually happen rather than being skipped in favor of more comfortable material.

The ACT Reading section presents four passages — prose fiction (or literary narrative), social science, humanities, and natural science — with ten questions each. You have about 8 minutes and 45 seconds per passage. Some students read the full passage before answering questions, while others skim the passage and refer back to it for each question. Experiment with both approaches during practice to find what works for you.

Regardless of your approach, focus on understanding the passage's main idea and structure. Most questions either ask about specific details (which you can locate by scanning) or about the passage's broader meaning and tone. For detail questions, use line references and keywords to find the relevant section quickly. For inference questions, the answer must be directly supported by the text — the ACT does not reward creative interpretation.

The Science section is often the most intimidating, but it is primarily a data interpretation test, not a science knowledge test. Most questions can be answered by carefully reading graphs, tables, and experimental descriptions. Only a few questions require outside science knowledge, typically basic biology, chemistry, or physics concepts. Practice reading data visualizations quickly and accurately. When conflicting viewpoints passages appear, focus on identifying how each viewpoint differs from the others. Timed practice sessions are especially important for Science — the 35-minute limit is tight, and BuckleTime focus sessions help you build the sustained concentration needed to work through dense data without losing focus.

An effective ACT study plan spans eight to ten weeks. Spend the first two weeks diagnosing your weaknesses and learning section-specific strategies. Weeks three through seven should focus on targeted practice — work on your weakest section first each day when your energy is highest. Weeks eight through ten are for full-length practice tests and final review.

Take a full practice test every two weeks to track progress. Between tests, focus on the question types and content areas where you lost the most points. Use an error log to categorize mistakes as content gaps, timing issues, or careless errors. Each category requires a different fix: content gaps need study, timing issues need pacing practice, and careless errors need better checking habits.

On test day, bring everything you need the night before: admission ticket, photo ID, calculator with fresh batteries, pencils, a watch, and a snack for breaks. Wake up early enough to eat a proper breakfast and arrive without rushing. During the test, do not let a difficult question derail your momentum — mark it and move on. The consistent study habits you built through daily sessions on BuckleTime, earning Focus Points and maintaining your streak, have prepared you. Trust that preparation and focus on executing your strategies one question at a time.