How Long is the ACT?

Understanding the duration of the ACT is essential for strategic preparation and effective time management. This standardized test, integral to the college application process, assesses competencies across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. In this article, we delve into the nuances of the ACT's duration, dissecting each section to offer a comprehensive overview. We will explore the impact prolonged testing has on an individual's focus and energy, and address common time management pitfalls. Finally, we offer strategic insights to navigate this challenging exam efficiently, enhancing student preparation and performance.

Total Duration of the ACT

Overview of ACT Duration

• Standard Test Time: The core sections of the ACT—English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science—take 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete.
• Including Breaks: With breaks factored in, the total time at the testing center is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Question Count: The ACT presents 215 questions to be answered.

Adding the Writing Section

• Test Duration including Writing Section: Choosing the ACT Writing section adds 40 minutes, totaling 3 hours and 35 minutes of testing time.
• Total Time with Breaks: When including breaks, the full duration for test-takers opting for the Writing section exceeds 4 hours.

The ACT demands a significant investment of time—2 hours and 55 minutes dedicated solely to answering 215 questions across the four compulsory sections. This duration does not account for breaks, which allow students brief periods of rest. Including breaks, the total time spent at the testing center extends to approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, a testament to the exam's rigorous nature and the endurance required of its takers.

Expert Tip: Our ACT tutors advise beginning your test preparation by familiarizing yourself with the total duration and structure of the exam, ensuring no section catches you by surprise on test day.

For students who decide to demonstrate their writing ability through the ACT's optional Writing section, the exam's scope broadens. This choice adds an additional 40 minutes to the overall test time. Consequently, the cumulative duration, inclusive of breaks, stretches to just over 4 hours. To understand the ACT structure more comprehensively, view our guide to the ACT exam format.

How Long is Each Section of the ACT

Breakdown of ACT Sections

Table Showing Number of Questions and Allotted Time for Each ACT Section

Understanding the structure and timing of the ACT is essential for effective preparation and success. Each section of the ACT is designed to assess different academic skills within specific time frames. From grammar and punctuation to algebra and scientific analysis, the ACT challenges students to apply their knowledge under time constraints. This breakdown of each section, including the duration, number of questions, and the average time per question, provides a clear overview of what students can expect.

1. English Section

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Number of Questions: 75
• Average Time Per Question: Approximately 36 seconds
• This section tests grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills, demanding quick decision-making.

2. Mathematics Section

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of Questions: 60
• Average Time Per Question: Exactly 1 minute
• Covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The exact one-minute per question average requires consistent pace and accuracy.

3. Reading Section

• Duration: 35 minutes
• Number of Questions: 40
• Average Time Per Question: Just under 53 seconds
• Focuses on reading comprehension, with a slightly higher time pressure than the English section.

4. Science Section

• Duration: 35 minutes
• Number of Questions: 40
• Average Time Per Question: Just under 53 seconds
• Tests the ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate scientific data. Similar pacing to the Reading section.

5. Writing Section

• Duration: 40 minutes
• Number of Questions: 1
• The ACT Writing section requires test takers to compose an essay on a complex issue. The task is designed to evaluate students' writing and analytical abilities.

Pace Yourself

Expert Tip: To tackle the rigorous duration of the ACT, our ACT tutors recommend developing a pacing strategy through practice exams, ensuring students can sustain their focus throughout the test.

It is important for students to take note of the time allotted for each section so that they can divide their time between each question appropriately. For example, in the English section, the rapid pace suggests that students should focus on quickly identifying and answering questions, saving review for any remaining time. Conversely, the Math section's one-minute-per-question pace allows for a more methodical approach, with each problem requiring a detailed solution process.

How Long is the ACT with Extended Time

For students with specific needs, the ACT offers accommodations, including extended time, to ensure equitable testing conditions. Understanding the criteria for extended time and its impact on the exam's duration and section timings is crucial for eligible students to prepare adequately and optimize their test performance.

Criteria for Extended Time

• Eligibility: Extended time is granted to students with documented disabilities that affect their ability to take the exam under standard conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, learning disabilities, ADHD, and physical impairments.
• Application Process: Students must apply for accommodations through the ACT's official process, which involves submitting documentation of their disability and a request for specific accommodations.

Impact on Exam Duration and Timings

Table Showing ACT Section Duration Under Standard Time Versus National Extended Time

• 50% Extended Time (National Extended Time): The most common accommodation, this extends the total testing time by 50%, allowing students more time per section. For instance, the English section's 45 minutes extend to approximately 70 minutes, and the Mathematics section's 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
• Section Timing: Unlike the standard ACT, where sections are timed individually, students with extended time may manage how they allocate their extended time across the sections within a larger block of time. This flexibility enables students to spend more time on challenging sections while adhering to the overall extended time limit.
• Breaks and Writing Section: Students with extended time also receive longer breaks between sections. If taking the ACT with Writing, the extended time applies to the essay section as well, proportionally increasing the duration from 40 to 60 minutes.

Preparing with Extended Time

For students granted extended time, adapting their preparation to mirror the extended conditions is essential. This includes practicing with longer section times and developing strategies to manage the flexible time allocation effectively. Understanding how extended time modifies the exam's structure allows students to better plan their approach, ensuring they can make the most of the additional time and reduce exam-day stress.

Impact of the ACT's Length on Test-Taking Stamina

The duration of the ACT, spanning several hours, tests not just the intellectual capabilities of students but also their physical and mental endurance. The prolonged focus required can significantly challenge students' energy levels and concentration, potentially impacting their performance as the exam progresses. Understanding and mitigating these challenges are key to maintaining peak performance throughout the test.

Challenges to Stamina

• Cognitive Fatigue: Extended test-taking can lead to cognitive fatigue, diminishing students' ability to maintain concentration, process information efficiently, and make quick, accurate decisions.
• Physical Discomfort: Sitting for long periods can cause physical discomfort or exacerbation of existing conditions, distracting from the task at hand.

Building Test-Taking Stamina

To combat these challenges and enhance endurance for the ACT, students are encouraged to adopt several practices aimed at building both mental and physical stamina:

• Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity improves overall endurance, increases blood flow to the brain, and can enhance cognitive function, helping students maintain focus for longer periods.
• Healthy Sleep Habits: Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function and memory. Establishing a regular sleep schedule that ensures 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night can significantly impact a student's ability to remain alert and focused during the test.
• Relaxation Techniques and Mindfulness Exercises: Acknowledging the strain of the ACT's length on students, our college admissions tutors encourage incorporating relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises into your study plan to maintain peak cognitive performance throughout the exam.

By incorporating these practices into their preparation, students can improve their resilience against the demanding nature of the ACT, ensuring that their test-taking stamina complements their academic preparation. This holistic approach to readiness can make a significant difference in their overall performance and scores.

Common Time Management Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Effective time management is important for success on the ACT, yet it's a common area where many students struggle. Missteps in managing the allotted time can lead to rushed answers, incomplete sections, and unnecessary stress, ultimately impacting scores. Recognizing and addressing these common time management mistakes can significantly enhance test performance.

Common Time Management Mistakes

• Overinvesting Time on Difficult Questions: Many students fall into the trap of spending too much time trying to solve challenging questions, eating into the time needed for questions they might find easier.
• Misallocation of Time Among Sections: Failing to appropriately distribute time across the different sections can result in incomplete tests or poorly answered questions due to rushing.
• Ignoring Pacing Strategies: Not having or failing to follow a pacing strategy leads to inefficient use of the available time, often causing panic as the clock runs down.

Strategies to Avoid Time Management Errors

• Practice Tests Under Timed Conditions: Our college admissions tutors recommend tackling practice questions with a timer to learn when to move on from challenging questions. This helps students gauge the pace at which they need to work to complete all sections within the allotted time.
• Learn to Recognize When to Move On: Developing the ability to quickly identify questions that will require disproportionate time is key. If a question seems too challenging, it's often best to move on and return to it if time allows.
• Strategic Time Allocation: Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses allows for strategic allocation of time. For instance, if math is a strong suit, a student might allocate less time to the Math section and more to Reading or Science, balancing the overall time spent more effectively.
• Use of an Answer Grid: Practice filling in an answer grid at intervals rather than after each question to save time. This method reduces the amount of time spent switching between the test booklet and the answer sheet.

By acknowledging these common pitfalls and implementing strategic practices, students can improve their time management on the ACT. Regular, timed practice fosters familiarity with the test's format and pacing, while strategic planning and self-awareness enable efficient time use across sections. Ultimately, mastering time management is as critical as academic preparation for achieving a high score on the ACT.

Conclusion

Understanding the ACT's length and structure is fundamental to effective test preparation and success on test day. The endurance required to navigate this comprehensive assessment, coupled with the need for efficient time management, highlights the importance of a strategic approach to preparation. By embracing practices aimed at building stamina and avoiding common time management mistakes, students can significantly enhance their test-taking experience. Incorporating full-length practice exams, developing a keen sense of pacing, and applying the strategies discussed will not only prepare students academically but also minimize stress, leading to a more confident and successful ACT performance. Embrace these insights and strategies in your study plan to unlock your full potential on the ACT.