ACT® Resources
Is the ACT® right for you?
While the SAT and ACT® have some areas that overlap, they are different tests that challenge students in different ways. Doing some background research on the tests will help you choose the best fit and will likely lead to a higher final score.
Take practice ACT®s and SATs
Baseline scores for the SAT and ACT® help students to determine which test is the best fit for them.
We proctor practice tests almost every Sunday of the year at 9:30am and 1:30pm (ET) online and in-person in our Bethesda office. We also offer an additional weekday time during the summer. Sign up today!
Determine the best test for you
While there are several factors that go into your choice of test, you can use our SAT and ACT® conversion tool to understand how the scores compare. Schedule a free consultation with a tutor to review your baseline scores and better understand which test will be best for you. Our tutors weigh your unique skillset, experience taking the practice tests, the current format of the tests, and several other factors to help you decide which test to focus on.
What are the Sections of the ACT®?
English (50 questions - 35 minutes)
The English Test is the first of the three multiple-choice sections on the standard ACT®. It consists of six passages consisting of either 5 or 10 questions per passage. Each question lines up with an underlined part of the passage to which it refers.
Notably, the English test includes 10 field test or experimental questions, which do not count toward the student’s score on the section. However, since students will not know which questions are experimental when taking the test, students should answer all 50 questions to the best of their ability.
The ACT® English section measures your ability to revise and edit short passages that are intended to represent the types of writing students do for school. The test officially designates questions in three categories—Conventions of Standard English, Production of Writing, and Knowledge of Language.
Math (45 questions - 50 minutes)
The ACT® Math Test covers the skills students typically learn in the courses taken throughout middle and high school.
The people who write the ACT® Math test realize that all of us have certain patterned ways of solving questions—the ways we learn in school. In high-pressure situations, we tend to fall back upon these ways that we know so well. Because test-makers want to reward the ability to think creatively under pressure, they devise questions that can seem difficult if you try to solve them in the most obvious way—the way you’ve learned in school.
One way you can prepare for these questions is to practice alternative strategies as much as you practiced the textbook methods in high school. If you become very familiar with the quick way, it’s likely that you’ll remember it during the ACT®.
Reading (36 questions - 40 minutes)
The Reading portion of the ACT® consists of 36 questions spread across four passages with approximately 9 questions each. Students are given 40 minutes to complete this section, which some students find difficult to finish in time.
A passage and its questions will always be on facing pages on the paper version of the ACT®, which makes it easier to look in the passage for correct answers. On the digital version of the ACT®, the passage will appear on the left side of the screen and one question at a time on the right side. The questions test your knowledge of both the central themes of the passage and specific details from the passage.
Science (40 questions - 35 minutes)
The ACT® Science section measures your interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Starting in September 2025, the ACT® Science section became optional for all students. Scores from this section no longer factor into the overall composite score. While some colleges—especially those with STEM programs—may still require the Science section, many do not. Connect with an expert tutor to understand how this change affects your testing strategy.
- A printed copy of your admission ticket
- An acceptable photo ID
- No. 2 Pencil with a good eraser. (You will not be allowed any other writing instrument.)
- Watch or other timing device
- Calculator
- Snacks
ACT® Study Materials
We’ve been helping students improve on their ACT®s for a long time now– so we’ve built up quite the bank of resources to help you succeed! Check out a few below– more can be accessed through a consultation with your Marks Education tutor.
Test Taking Tips
The ACT® is a challenging test! Not just because of its material and content, but because of its length, format, and the jitters that many students feel on test day.
Take a few moments to read these blogs and walk into test-day feeling more confident and ready to do your best.
Thinking about test prep tutoring?
Considering investing in test prep? Professional test prep can save you time, money, and stress. Whereas ACT® prep classes may promise test-prep at a bargain– personalized test prep makes sure you get everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
Not convinced? Check out what to expect inside an ACT® tutoring session, our score improvements, and packages– or contact us for a FREE consultation!
What to Expect in a Marks Education Test-Prep Tutoring Session
If you’re applying to college, you’ve probably heard the term “test-optional” before and might be wondering how it applies to your application strategy. Every school is different, and therefore every policy is different!
While we can’t give you a simple yes-or-no answer without reviewing your profile, there are many factors that we lay out for you to consider in our blog! Read on for more about how you can make an informed decision with your testing strategy
Meet our ACT® tutors!
Marks Education tutors specialize in creating one-on-one, customized academic tutoring programs designed to support and challenge you as a student. Our tutors are professional educators with extensive classroom and tutoring experience.
One-on-one tutoring sidesteps the classroom dynamic. It allows students to openly discuss their questions, pushes them to try harder, and gives them the time to practice areas most useful for them.
