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Suggested languages for you:
Deutsch (DE)
Deutsch (UK)
Deutsch (US)

Americas

Europe

Get ready for high scores with StudySmarter's extensive ACT prep

Our all-in-one learning app has all the tools you need to successfully prepare for your ACT in less time and for free! From flashcards and explanations to notes and summaries, our app will get you those high ACT scores so that you can get ready for college and university!

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What is the ACT?

The ACT (American College Test) is a standardized test used by many colleges and universities to assess your readiness for entering and studying at their institution. Your score on the ACT can play an important role in college admissions, so comprehensive prep is crucial!

Get ready for tertiary education with high ACT scores

StudySmarter's features, like flashcards and quizzes, are designed to help you prepare for the ACT. We do the prep so that you can do the learning!

English

Math

Reading

Sciences

Writing

ACT prep: Exercise

Doing well in your ACT is all about prep and practice. Our exercises feature in the StudySmarter app helps you with your practice so that you can sail through all the ACT sections with confidence.
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ACT prep: Flashcards

We know that quizzing yourself is a helpful study strategy. The easiest way to do so for the ACT? Using the StudySmarter flashcards feature!
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ACT prep: Even more free StudySmarter features!

We want you to do well in your ACT. That's why we have even more free features to help you achieve high scores and university entrance.

Collect Points

Take your studies to the next level by unlocking badges and trophies.

Get Statistics

Track your progress with your personalized study analytics dashboard.

Study Anywhere

Study anywhere on the go with our offline mode across all devices.

Scan

Get rid of messy notes everywhere and scan your paper notes instead.

Share

Share notes with your study group for a more interactive learning experience.

Add Exam Dates

Tell us when your ACT is and we'll create a study plan for your study sets.

Our 4 top tips for ACT prep

  • Start studying early (months in advance at best).
  • Create an ACT study plan with StudySmarter and track your progress.
  • Study in groups to help each other.
  • Get familiar with the details of the ACT (how many questions, how much time, etc.)

Our 5 smart strategies for getting high ACT scores

Make sure you understand the layout and instructions of the ACT sections beforehand.

During the test, scan for questions you are able to answer confidently.

Apply the exclusion principle if you are not 100% sure about the correct answer.

Only one answer is correct, so make sure you only mark one answer per question!

Don't leave any answers blank. If you don't know the answer, guess!

Join over 10 million students across the world learning smarter every day!

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Frequently asked questions:

How do you study for the ACT?

When studying for the ACTs, you need to create a study plan (you can do this with the StudySmarter app). This will help you set goals and keep track of your progress. It's important to create your study plan and start studying as early as possible (don't cram the night before the test!), and studying in groups can also help you learn more effectively. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the ACT by getting an official ACT preparation booklet, taking a practice test, understanding its structure and scoring, evaluating which areas you may need more practice in, and seeing how much time you have to complete it.

What is a good ACT score?

A good ACT score largely depends on which college/university you're applying to, but, in general, a good ACT score is 24 or higher (i.e., a score in or above the 75th percentile). There are four sections in the ACT, and your total score will be the average of these four sections. Therefore, you should aim for at least 24 in each section.

What’s the average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is currently 20.6.

How long is the ACT?

The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long (without breaks). With breaks, the test will take you about 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, if you also take the optional writing section (40 minutes), the test will be slightly over 4 hours with a break. The English section is 45 minutes, Math is an hour, Reading is 35 minutes, and Science is also 35 minutes.

What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?

The SAT and ACT are accepted by schools in the US, but there are a few differences between the two. Here are some differences between the SAT and ACT:
  • You have more time per question for each section in the SAT.
  • The ACT has more questions (215) than the SAT (154).
  • The ACT scoring system works on a scale of 1 to 36, whereas the SAT has a total score between 400 and 1600 points.
  • The ACT has one Math and one Science section, and the SAT has two Math sections (one with and one without a calculator).
  • The SAT gives students some Math formulae and diagrams (the ACT doesn't).
  • The ACT includes questions on geometry and trigonometry.

How often can you take the ACT?

You can take the ACT 12 times. Your results are valid for five years after the test.

How many questions are on the ACT?

The ACT has 215 questions in total. The English section has 75 questions, Math has 60, Reading and Science both have 40, and you'll need to write one essay if you take the optional writing section.