ACT test taking strategies: pacing, guessing and question order

The best ACT test taking strategies are simple: know your time per question, answer every question because there's no penalty for wrong answers, and work through each section in two passes so the easy points come first. On the enhanced ACT, English has 50 questions in 35 minutes, Math has 45 in 50 minutes and Reading has 36 in 40 minutes. Science is now an optional add-on, and it doesn't count toward your 1 to 36 Composite. This guide shows you how to spend that time well, section by section.

What are the best ACT test taking strategies?

Here are the seven that matter most on test day.

1. Learn your time per question for each section before you walk in.
2. Answer every question. A blank and a wrong answer are both worth zero.
3. Do two passes: answer what you can quickly, mark what you can't, then come back.
4. Cut wrong answers before you guess. Each one you remove improves your odds.
5. Check your pace at the halfway point of each section, not after every question.
6. Use the calculator only when it saves time. Many ACT Math questions are faster by hand.
7. Practice with the same watch you'll bring on test day, so pacing feels familiar. It must have no alarm and stay on your desk.

Time per question on each section of the enhanced ACT

The enhanced ACT is shorter than the old test. The core test (English, Math and Reading) has 131 questions in 125 minutes, down from 215 questions in 175 minutes, according to ACT's comparison of the legacy and enhanced tests. With Science it is 171 questions in 165 minutes. You also get more time per question. Here's how the numbers work out.

Source: ACT test enhancements. Time per question and checkpoints calculated by Medly. Last checked: November 12, 2026.

These are averages, and that's the point. A quick grammar fix in English might take you 15 seconds, which buys time for a harder question about the purpose of a paragraph. If you reach the halfway checkpoint with time to spare, keep going at the same steady pace. If you're behind, speed up on the next few easy questions rather than rushing the hard ones.

Why you should never leave an ACT question blank

ACT calculates your section scores from the number of questions you answer correctly, and there's no penalty for guessing. A blank can't earn you a point. A guess might.

Math questions on the enhanced ACT now have four answer choices instead of five, so a blind guess has a 1 in 4 chance of being right. Remove one choice you know is wrong and that becomes 1 in 3. Remove two and you're at even odds.

How to guess well:

1. Cross out anything that's clearly wrong first: an answer that's the wrong sign, the wrong units, or doesn't match the question.
2. If you're stuck between two, pick one and move on. Second-guessing costs time you need later.
3. For true blind guesses, pick the same answer position every time. It's quicker than deciding each time.
4. Two minutes before time is called in each section, stop and fill in an answer for every question you haven't reached.

If you're testing online, make sure an answer is selected for every question before the timer runs out.

How to choose your question order on the ACT

You don't have to answer questions in the order they appear. The two-pass method works in every section, and on most other timed multiple-choice tests too.

On your first pass, answer anything you can do in your average time or less. If a question looks like it will take more than about twice your average, mark it and move on. On your second pass, go back to the marked questions with the time you've saved.

This matters because every question is worth the same. An easy question at the end of Math counts exactly as much as a hard one in the middle. Getting stuck on question 30 for three minutes can cost you three easier questions you never reach.

In Reading, the same idea applies to passages. Start with the type you find most comfortable, whether that's fiction or a science article, then do the rest.

Strategies for each ACT section

ACT English: 50 questions in 35 minutes

English is the fastest section, so rhythm matters most here.

• Read the whole sentence, not just the underlined part. Many errors only show up in context.
• When two answers are both grammatically correct, the shorter and clearer one is often right.
• Don't avoid "NO CHANGE". Sometimes the original is the best version.
• For questions about whether to add or delete a sentence, reread the paragraph and ask what it's trying to do.

ACT Math: 45 questions in 50 minutes

Calculators are allowed on the Math test only. If you test online, you'll get an on-screen calculator, or you can bring your own permitted one.

• Read the last line of the question first, so you know exactly what you're solving for.
• Try plugging the answer choices back in when an equation looks slow to solve.
• Sketch a quick diagram for any geometry question without one.
• Know key formulas by heart, such as area, the Pythagorean theorem and slope, so you aren't working them out under time pressure.
• Check you've answered the question asked. Finding x when the question wants 2x is a common way to lose a mark.

ACT Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes

You have about 67 seconds per question, but that includes reading time for each passage.

• Skim the passage for the main idea and how it's organized. Don't try to memorize details.
• Go back to the text for every answer. The correct choice is always supported by the passage.
• Be wary of answers that are true in general but not stated in the passage.
• Finish one passage before moving to the next, so you only read each one once.

ACT Science (optional): 40 questions in 40 minutes

Science measures how you read data and reason about experiments in biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space sciences. It costs a $5 add-on and gives you separate science and STEM scores, but it doesn't change your Composite. Check whether the colleges on your list ask for it before you decide.

If you take it, go to the graphs and tables first. Many questions can be answered from a figure alone, so don't get stuck on technical terms in the text. If a passage compares two viewpoints, note each one in a few words before you look at the questions.

What to do the week and the night before the ACT

If you're aiming for the December 12, 2026 test, late registration closes on November 29 and initial scores are due on December 22, according to ACT registration. The next national date is February 27, 2027.

The week before:

1. Take one full practice test under real timing, with the watch you'll bring.
2. Sort your mistakes by type, such as comma rules, linear equations or inference questions, and spend your last study sessions on the two or three types you miss most.
3. Check your calculator is permitted.
4. Make sure your photo ID is an original, valid, hard plastic card. Paper and electronic IDs aren't accepted.
5. Print your admission ticket from MyACT once your photo has been approved.

If you're also working on the SAT or AP classes this year, Medly AI covers both. It marks your practice answers and walks you through each step with an AI tutor, so you can see exactly where a mark slipped away.

The night before, keep studying light. A short look at your notes is fine, but a new topic at 10 p.m. won't stick. Pack your bag with sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers (no pens or mechanical pencils), your ID, your ticket, your calculator, a watch with no alarm, and a snack for the break. Plan your route so you arrive by 8:00 a.m., because late arrivals aren't admitted. Then get to bed at a sensible time.

On the day, eat breakfast. A short break comes after the second test, Math, and you can eat your snack then, outside the testing room. Phones and smart watches must be off and out of sight the whole time.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a penalty for guessing on the ACT?

No. Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly, so a wrong answer costs you nothing. Always fill in every question.

Does Science count toward the ACT Composite score?

No. On the enhanced ACT, the Composite is based on English, Math and Reading. Science is optional and reported as its own score, along with a STEM score.

How many questions are on the enhanced ACT?

The core test has 131 questions: 50 in English, 45 in Math and 36 in Reading. Adding Science brings it to 171.

When should I start prepping for the ACT?

Two to three months before your test date gives you time to take a diagnostic test, work on your weakest question types and do a few timed practice tests. If you're taking the ACT at school, check with your counselor when your test date falls.

Is 32 out of 36 a good ACT score?

Yes. 32 is a strong score. Whether it's competitive for you depends on your colleges, so compare it with the middle 50% range each one publishes.

How much does ACT test prep cost?

It can cost very little. The ACT itself is $70, with $5 for Science and $25 for Writing, and official practice material is available from ACT. For SAT and AP practice alongside it, you can start Medly AI for free.

Try Medly for free