The Ultimate Guide to the ACT Exam (2025–2026)
目录
What Is the ACT Exam?
The ACT Exam (American College Testing) is a standardized college admissions test used by most four-year colleges and universities in the United States. It measures high school students’ academic readiness and critical thinking skills in core subjects.
While similar to the SAT in many ways, the ACT has its own unique format, timing, and scoring system. Many students prefer the ACT due to its more straightforward question style and the inclusion of a dedicated Science section.
The ACT is accepted equally with the SAT by nearly all U.S. colleges—including Ivy League schools, public universities like UCLA, and top liberal arts colleges.
ACT Exam Format (2025–2026)
The ACT Exam is a paper-based, multiple-choice test (with a digital option available in some states). It consists of four required sections and one optional Writing section:
Total Time (without essay): 2 hrs 55 mins
Total Time (with essay): 3 hrs 35 mins
| Section | Number of Questions | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 英语 | 75 | 45 mins | 5 passages with usage & grammar |
| Math | 60 | 60 mins | Algebra, geometry, trig, stats |
| Reading | 40 | 35 mins | 4 long passages |
| 科学 | 40 | 35 mins | Graph/data/experiments |
| Optional Essay | 1 prompt | 40 mins | Argument-based writing |
ACT – English Section (75 Questions | 45 Minutes)
The English section tests your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical effectiveness across five passages. You’ll answer 15 questions per passage, focusing on:
Standard English Conventions: subject-verb agreement, modifiers, verb tense
Expression of Ideas: clarity, tone, and organization
Rhetorical Skills: revising for effectiveness, purpose, and logical flow
📌 ACT Prep Tip: Don’t rely solely on what “sounds right.” Learn grammar rules and practice spotting structural patterns.
ACT – Math Section (60 Questions | 60 Minutes)
This section covers high school math topics from Pre-Algebra to early Trigonometry. You’re allowed to use an approved calculator throughout.
Key areas include:
Pre-Algebra & Algebra I/II: linear equations, systems, exponents, functions
Geometry: angles, circles, area, volume
Trigonometry: sine, cosine, tangent
Statistics & Probability: data interpretation, ratios, means
📌 ACT Prep Tip: Unlike the SAT, ACT does not provide a formula sheet—so memorizing essential formulas is crucial.
ACT – Reading Section (40 Questions | 35 Minutes)
This section presents four long passages, each followed by 10 multiple-choice questions. Passages come from:
Literary fiction
Humanities
Social sciences
Natural sciences
The focus is on:
Main idea, inference, and detail
Author tone and purpose
Comparing paired passages
📌 ACT Prep Tip: Practice reading quickly and mapping the structure of each passage. You’ll have less than 9 minutes per passage.
ACT – Science Section (40 Questions | 35 Minutes)
Unique to the ACT, this section doesn’t test science facts—it evaluates scientific reasoning. You’ll analyze:
Graphs and tables
Research summaries
Conflicting viewpoints
You’ll need to interpret data, evaluate hypotheses, and analyze experiment setups.
📌 ACT Prep Tip: Focus on reading visuals efficiently and tracking independent vs. dependent variables in experiments.
ACT – Writing Section (Optional | 1 Essay | 40 Minutes)
You’ll respond to a contemporary issue by analyzing three perspectives and developing your own position. Your essay will be scored across four domains:
Ideas & Analysis
Development & Support
Organization
Language Use & Conventions
📌 ACT Prep Tip: High-scoring essays clearly address all three perspectives, provide counterarguments, and use specific examples.
ACT Exam Test Dates (2025–2026)
Here are the upcoming official ACT Exam test dates and registration deadlines, sourced from the ACT.org schedule:
| Test Date | Regular Deadline | Late Registration | Photo Upload Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | August 19, 2025 | August 29, 2025 |
| October 18, 2025 | September 12, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | October 10, 2025 |
| December 13, 2025 | November 7, 2025 | November 24, 2025 | December 5, 2025 |
| February 14, 2026 | January 7, 2026 | January 21, 2026 | February 6, 2026 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | March 24, 2026 | April 3, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | June 5, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | July 3, 2026 |
📌 Note: Registration is available at www.act.org. Seats fill quickly—especially for July and October sessions—so we recommend registering 2–3 months early.
ACT Scoring Explained
Each section of the ACT is scored from 1 to 36. Your composite score is the average of the four section scores (English, Math, Reading, Science), rounded to the nearest whole number.
ACT Scoring Breakdown
| Section | Score Range |
|---|---|
| 英语 | 1–36 |
| Math | 1–36 |
| Reading | 1–36 |
| 科学 | 1–36 |
| Writing | 2–12 (separate) |
How Your ACT Score Is Calculated
Your composite score = average of English, Math, Reading, and Science
The Essay (Writing) score is not factored into your composite but is sent separately to colleges
You’ll also receive subscores in areas like Production of Writing, Functions, and Interpretation of Data—these help identify specific strengths and weaknesses
What’s a Good ACT Score?
36 = Perfect (Top 0.1%)
34–35 = Ivy League–level competitiveness
30–33 = Strong candidate for top 50 schools
24–29 = Above national average
20–23 = National average
<20 = Below average; often below selective college thresholds
📌 Note: Some colleges require minimum section scores (e.g., 28+ in Math for engineering majors)
What Is Superscoring?
Superscoring is when colleges take your highest section scores across multiple ACT test dates to create a new, higher composite score.
For example:
Test 1: English 30, Math 28, Reading 27, Science 29
Test 2: English 32, Math 26, Reading 30, Science 31
Superscore = 32 (Eng), 28 (Math), 30 (Reading), 31 (Science) → Composite: 30.25 → Rounded to 30
🎯 Most top schools now accept superscores, including:
Harvard, Yale, Duke, UChicago, USC
UC system does not superscore (uses highest single sitting)
ACT Exam Format vs SAT Exam Format
📌 Many students find the ACT easier for pacing and question clarity, while others prefer the Digital SAT’s shorter test time and adaptive scoring. The best way to decide? Try both with a diagnostic test.
| Feature | ACT Exam | SAT Exam (Digital) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Time | ~3 hours | 2 hours 14 minutes |
| Math Calculator Use | All questions | All questions |
| Science Section | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Reading Style | Long passages | Short, focused passages |
| Adaptive Testing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Offered Format | Paper/Online | Digital only (U.S.) |
Should You Take the ACT or SAT?
There’s no universal answer. We recommend:
Take both a diagnostic SAT and ACT (under real conditions)
Choose the exam that feels more natural in timing and structure
Focus prep entirely on one exam, unless both are equally strong
📌 IvyMax provides both SAT and ACT diagnostics and analysis reports to help students choose the right path early on.
📍 IvyMax ACT Prep Near You
We offer online and in-person ACT prep programs in key California cities:
Cupertino / Fremont / Pleasanton – Bay Area families trust IvyMax for structured, score-based ACT coaching.
Arcadia – Our San Gabriel Valley office provides elite tutoring for high-scoring students.
Irvine / San Diego – ACT prep in Southern California with advanced math, science, and writing support.
📩 Ready to build your ACT success plan?
How to Prep for the ACT Exam
Success on the ACT isn’t about memorization—it’s about mastering format, pacing, and reasoning. Here’s how IvyMax recommends students structure their ACT Prep:
🛠️ 1. Start Early
Begin with a diagnostic test in 10th grade or early 11th to gauge strengths and weaknesses.
🎯 2. Set Target Scores by School List
Research average ACT scores for your top schools. Many Ivy League colleges look for 33+, while strong public schools may accept 28–32.
📘 3. Understand the Format
Familiarize yourself with section timing, bubble sheet marking, and question styles. Use official ACT practice tests.
⏱️ 4. Master Time Management
ACT sections are fast-paced. For example, the Reading section gives you less than 9 minutes per passage. Use timed drills to build endurance.
🔬 5. Don’t Fear the Science Section
You don’t need to memorize formulas—it’s about interpreting experiments and charts quickly. Use data-skimming strategies and elimination.
✍️ 6. Consider the Essay (if your schools require it)
Focus on argument structure, using three perspectives in the prompt and integrating counterpoints.
📌 IvyMax ACT Prep Strategy
With over two decades of admissions success, IvyMax helps students build ACT scores that open doors. Our strategy includes:
✅ Personalized study plans based on diagnostics
✅ Targeted section-by-section tutoring (English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing)
✅ Full-length practice exams and pacing workshops
✅ Essay strategy sessions with rhetorical structure coaching
✅ Guidance on retesting strategy and superscoring optimization
📍 IvyMax has helped hundreds of students reach 34–36 scores and gain acceptance to Harvard, Stanford, UChicago, UCLA, and beyond.
ACT Prep Tips from IvyMax Experts
Use official ACT resources first, then supplement with Princeton Review or IvyMax custom content.
Track accuracy and pacing separately in practice sessions.
Practice full sections, not just single questions—this builds endurance.
Review missed questions in depth. Ask: What type of question was it? Was it careless, content-based, or strategic?
Consider retesting in July: fewer students = lower curve.
Don’t cram: Peak performance happens with consistency over 3–6 months.
提交表单即代表您同意接收 IvyMax 的最新资讯和课程信息。您可以随时通过邮件底部的 SafeUnsubscribe® 链接取消订阅。
对我们的项目感兴趣？
请填写表单，我们会尽快回复您，并提供详细信息，解答您的问题！
