ACT Tutor

Description of the ACT Math Section

The mathematics section is designed to assess the math skills students have acquired in courses taken up to Pre-Calculus.

Most ACT Math questions are self-contained. However, some questions may belong to a set of several questions (e.g., each about the same graph or chart).

There are no formulas provided on the test, so knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills are needed for some problems.

You may use a calculator on the mathematics section. See ACT Calculator Policy for details about prohibited models and features.

ACT Mathematics Content

There are eight category scores based on specific mathematical knowledge and skills. The approximate percentage of the math section devoted to each reporting category is in parenthesis.

Preparing for Higher Math (57–60%)

This category covers the more recent mathematics that students are learning, starting when students begin using algebra as a general way of expressing and solving equations. This category is divided into five subcategories.

Number & Quantity (7–10%)

Students need to demonstrate knowledge of real and complex number systems.

• Integer and rational exponents
• Vectors
• Matrices

Algebra (12–15%)

Students need to solve, graph, and model multiple types of expressions.

• Linear Equations
• Polynomial Equations
• Radical Equations
• Exponential Equations
• Systems of equations

Functions (12–15%)

The questions in this category test knowledge of function definition, notation, representation, and application. Students will manipulate and translate functions, as well as find and apply important features of graphs.

Types of Functions:

• Linear
• Radical
• Piecewise
• Polynomial
• Logarithmic

Geometry (12–15%)

Define and apply knowledge of various geometric shapes and solids.

• Congruence
• Similarity
• Surface area
• Volume
• Composition of objects
• Solve for missing values in triangles & circles
• Trigonometric ratios
• Equations of conic sections

Statistics & Probability (8–12%)

Describe center and spread of distributions, apply and analyze data collection methods, understand and model relationships in bivariate data, and calculate probabilities, including the related sample spaces.

Integrating Essential Skills (40–43%)

This category focuses on measuring how well you can synthesize and apply your understandings and skills to solve more complex problems. The questions ask you to address the following concepts:

• Rates and percentages
• Proportional relationships
• Area, surface area, and volume
• Average and median
• Expressing numbers in different ways.

Solve nonroutine problems that involve combining skills in chains of steps; applying skills in varied contexts; understanding connections; and demonstrating fluency.

Modeling

This category is an overall measure of how well you use modeling skills across mathematical topics. The questions involve producing, interpreting, understanding, evaluating, and improving models. Each question is also counted in other appropriate reporting categories above.

Description of the ACT Reading Test

The reading section measures your ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple sources. The Reading section contains four passages followed by 10 questions each.

The topics of the four passages are

• Literary Narrative
• Social Science
• Humanities
• Natural Science

ACT Reading questions will ask you to

• Determine main ideas
• Locate and interpret significant details
• Understand sequences of events
• Make comparisons
• Comprehend cause-effect relationships
• Determine the meaning of context-dependent words & phrases
• Draw generalizations
• Analyze the author’s or narrator’s voice and method
• Analyze claims and evidence in arguments
• Integrate information from multiple texts.

ACT Reading Content

There are three reporting category scores based on specific knowledge and skills. The approximate percentage of the section devoted to each reporting category is in parentheses:

Key Ideas and Details (55–60%)

This category requires you to read texts closely to

• Determine central ideas and themes
• Summarize information and ideas accurately.
• Understand relationships and draw logical inferences and conclusions
• Understand sequential, comparative, and cause-effect relationships.

Craft and Structure (25–30%)

These questions ask you to

• Determine word and phrase meanings
• Analyze an author’s word choice rhetorically
• Analyze text structure
• Understand the author’s purpose and perspective
• Analyze characters’ points of view
• Interpret authorial decisions rhetorically
• Differentiate between various perspectives and sources of information.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (13–18%)

This category requires you to

• Understand authors’ claims
• Differentiate between facts and opinions
• Make connections between different, related texts
• Analyze how authors construct arguments
• Evaluate reasoning and evidence from various sources.

Description of the ACT Science Test

The science section measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. The section presents several authentic scientific scenarios, each followed by a number of multiple-choice questions.

ACT Science Topics

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Astronomy
• Meteorology
• Physics

Advanced knowledge in these areas is not required, but background knowledge acquired in general science courses may be needed. Note: You are not permitted to use a calculator in the science section.

The ACT Science questions require you to

• Understand the basic features of the provided information
• Generalize from given information to gain new information, draw conclusions, or make predictions.
• Critically examine the relationship between the information provided and the conclusions drawn or hypotheses developed

The ACT Science passages appear in one of three formats:

Data Representation (30–40%): This format presents graphic and tabular material similar to that found in science journals and texts.

Research Summaries (45–55%): This format provides descriptions and results of one or more related experiments. The questions focus on the design of the experiments and the interpretation of experimental results.

Conflicting Viewpoints (15–20%): This format presents two or more explanations for the same scientific phenomena that, because they are based on differing premises or incomplete data, are inconsistent with one another.

ACT Science Content

Approximate percentage of the questions devoted to each reporting category is in parentheses.

Interpretation of Data (40–50%)

Analyze scientific data presented in scientific tables, graphs, and diagrams

• Recognize trends in data
• Translate tabular data into graphs
• Interpolate and extrapolate
• Reason mathematically

Scientific Investigation (20–30%)

This category requires you to understand experimental tools, procedures, and design (e.g., identify controls and variables) and compare, extend, and modify experiments (e.g., predict the results of additional trials).

Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (25–35%)

These questions ask you to judge the validity of scientific information and formulate conclusions and predictions based on that information (e.g., determine which explanation for a scientific phenomenon is supported by new findings).