What you will get from this master guide:

• A breakdown of the most important grammar and punctuation rules tested

• Step-by-step strategies for approaching different question types

• Tips to quickly identify and avoid common traps

• Confidence to walk into the ACT English section prepared

English Section Breakdown

Time: 45 minutes
Questions: 75
Passages: 5
Questions per passage: 15

Score Calculator (varies by test section)

1–10: 30+ questions wrong
11–20: 15–29 questions wrong
21–30: 6–14 questions wrong
31–36: 0-5 questions wrong

Punctuation

• Commas: Used to separate items in a list, join two independent clauses with a conjunction (and, but, or), and set off nonessential information. If the sentence still makes sense without the phrase, it usually needs commas.

• Apostrophes: Show possession or replace missing letters in contractions. Never use apostrophes to make a word plural.

• Dashes: Act like strong commas. Used to add extra information or emphasis. If you use one dash, you need another.

• Semicolons: Join two complete sentences that are closely related. They can replace a period but cannot join incomplete thoughts.

• Colons: Introduce a list, explanation, or example. The sentence before the colon must be complete.

Grammar

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. Ignore prepositional phrases when identifying the subject.

• Commas: Do not separate a subject from its verb or a verb from its object.

• Verb Tense: Stay consistent unless the time clearly changes. Look for time words to guide you.

• Adjectives: Describe nouns. If it describes a noun, it’s an adjective.

• Adverbs: Describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Often end in -ly.

• Pronoun Cases: Use subject pronouns (I, he, she) for subjects and object pronouns (me, him, her) for objects.

Structure

• Dependent and Independent Clauses: Independent clauses can stand alone. Dependent clauses cannot.

• Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices: Two complete sentences cannot be joined by just a comma.

• Misplaced Modifiers: Modifiers should be next to the word they describe.

• Conjunctions: Use coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so) to join complete ideas correctly.

• Parallelism: Items in a list must have the same grammatical form.

• Parenthetical Information: Extra information should be set off with commas, dashes, or parentheses.

• Sentence Fragments: Incomplete sentences are wrong unless clearly intentional (rare on ACT).

• Pronoun Agreement: Pronouns must agree in number and clearly refer to a noun.

Usage

• Grammar Basics: Choose answers that follow standard written English, not how people talk.

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ignore phrases between the subject and verb.

• Verb Tense: Check surrounding sentences for time consistency.

• Adjectives and Adverbs: “Good” is an adjective; “well” is usually an adverb.

• Important Set of Adverbs: Too, very, really, quite <— often unnecessary and tested for concision.

• Pronoun Cases: Remove extra words to test which pronoun sounds correct.

• Idioms: Never change prepositions unless the sentence clearly improves.

• Comparatives and Superlatives: Use “-er” or “more” for two items; “-est” or “most” for three or more.

• Neither/Nor: Verb agrees with the closer subject.

• Singular and Plural: Watch words like “each,” “everyone,” and “anyone” because they are singular.

• Who vs. Whom: Replace with “he/him”  to decide.

• Word Choice: ACT prefers clear, literal meanings over creative wording unless specifically requested in the question (e.g., asks for the most illustrative description of an event). 

Rhetoric

• Writer’s/Essay Goal: Ask: What is the author trying to do here… explain, argue, describe, or narrate?

• Adding or Deleting Sentences: Keep sentences that support the main idea. Remove ones that repeat or go off topic.

• Best Illustration Questions: Choose the option that best supports the point being made.

• Least Acceptable Questions: Eliminate answers that are off-topic, too extreme, or awkward.

Sentence Style

• Redundant Meaning: If two words say the same thing, one should be removed.

• Ambiguous Pronouns: Pronouns must clearly refer to one noun.

• Concision and Wordiness: Shorter is usually better if meaning stays the same.

• Clarity in Phrasing: Choose the option that is easiest to understand.

• Tone: ACT prefers formal, neutral tone, not casual or emotional.

Summary

The ACT English section rewards rule knowledge and pattern recognition. Focus on grammar rules, choose the clearest option, and avoid answers that add unnecessary words. When stuck, read the sentence without the underlined portion and pick what fits best.

What you will get from this master guide:

• A breakdown of the most tested math topics

• Clear steps for solving common ACT question types

• Tips to avoid common mistakes

• Practice methods to improve speed

• Time management strategies for all 60 questions

• Confidence to approach even the hardest problems

Math Section Breakdown

• Time: 60 minutes

• Questions: 60

  • Calculator allowed

  • The questions generally increase in difficulty as you move forward. The first 20 are usually more basic, the middle 20 moderate, and the last 20 more challenging.

Score Calculator (varies by test section)

1–10: 0–4 questions wrong

11–20: 5–12 questions wrong

21–30: 13–25 questions wrong

31–36: 26+ questions wrong

Arithmetic and Fractions

• Real Number Properties: Includes positive, negative, fractions, and decimals. Know how numbers behave when added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided.

• Positive and Negative Numbers: Same signs multiply to positive. Different signs multiply to negative. Be careful with subtraction.

• Mental Math: Estimate before solving. This helps eliminate answer choices quickly.

• Order of Operations: Follow PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide, Add/Subtract. Work left to right.

• Decimals: Line up decimals when adding or subtracting. Count decimal places when multiplying.

• Rounding: Look at the digit to the right. If it’s 5 or more, round up.

• Multiples of 10: Moving decimals left or right makes solving faster.

• Fractions: Keep denominators the same when adding or subtracting.

• Conversions of Fractions and Decimals: Divide the top by the bottom to convert to a decimal.

• Fraction Properties: You can multiply straight across. Reduce when possible.

• Operations with Fractions: Multiply first before canceling large numbers to simplify.

• Operations with Proportions: Cross multiply to solve proportions.

• Word Problems with Fractions: Translate words carefully before solving. Don’t rush.

Percents and Ratios

• Percents: Percent means “out of 100.” Convert percent to decimal by moving the decimal two places left.

• Tricks for Percents: 10% is easy to find. Build from there.

• Percent Increases: Original number × (1 + percent as decimal).

• Percent Decreases: Original number × (1 − percent as decimal).

• Sequential Percent Changes: Do not add percentages together. Apply one change at a time.

• Simple and Compound Interest: Simple interest is based only on the starting amount. Compound interest grows each period.

• Ratios: Ratios compare two quantities. Keep units consistent.

• Combining Ratios: Find a common value before combining.

• Ratios and Rates: Rates compare different units (like miles per hour).

Integers and Properties

• Divisibility: Know rules for 2, 3, 5, 9, and 10.

• Multiples: Multiples are results of multiplication.

• Prime Numbers: Only divisible by 1 and itself.

• Prime Factorization: Break numbers into prime pieces.

• Greatest Common Factor (GCF): Largest number that divides both numbers.

• Least Common Multiple (LCM): Smallest number both numbers divide into.

• Even and Odd Integers: Even ± Even = Even / Odd ± Odd = Even / Odd ± Even = Odd

Algebra

• Simplifying Expressions: Combine like terms only.

• Multiplying Expressions: Multiply every term carefully.

• FOIL: Used when multiplying two binomials.

• Factoring the GCF: Factor out the largest number shared by all terms.

• Factoring the Difference of Two Squares: Recognize patterns like a² − b².

• Factoring Quadratics: Look for two numbers that multiply and add correctly.

• Basic Equation Solving: Do the same operation to both sides.

• Eliminating Fractions: Multiply every term by the denominator.

• Quadratic Equations: Set equal to zero before solving.

• Substitution and Elimination: Used for systems of equations.

• Absolute Value Equations: Create two equations — one positive, one negative.

• Function Notation: Plug in the value for the variable.

• Inequalities: Flip the sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative.

• Absolute Value Inequalities: Treat like distance from zero.

Miscellaneous

• Word Problems: Translate words into math first. Underline important numbers. Always check that your answer makes sense in context.

• Powers and Roots: Know how exponents work. When multiplying same bases, add exponents. Square roots undo squaring.

• Geometry: Know area and perimeter formulas. Understand triangles, circles, and basic coordinate geometry. Draw diagrams if one is not provided.

• Trigonometry: Know sine, cosine, and tangent in right triangles. Use SOH-CAH-TOA. Calculator is helpful here.

• Statistics: Mean is average. Median is middle. Mode is most frequent. Range is highest minus lowest.

• Counting: Use organized counting. For arrangements, order matters. For combinations, order does not.

• Probability: favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes = probability. Answer should be between 0 and 1.

• Data Interpretation: Read graphs carefully. Pay attention to labels and units. Estimate when exact numbers are not required.

Summary

ACT Math rewards strategy as much as skill. Move quickly through easier problems, stay calm on harder ones, and use estimation and answer choices to your advantage. Practice timing just as much as content. With consistent practice, accuracy and speed improve together.

What you will get from this master guide:

• Clear strategies for each ACT Reading passage type

• Step-by-step methods for finding answers in the text

• Techniques to identify trap answers quickly

• Practice approaches to improve speed and accuracy

• Time management strategies to finish all passages

• Confidence to approach any reading passage under pressure

Reading Section Breakdown

Time: 35 minutes
Questions: 40
Passages: 4
Questions per passage: 10

Score Calculator (varies by test section)

1–10: 19+ questions wrong
11–20: 9-18 questions wrong
21–30: 4-8 questions wrong
31–36: 0-3 questions wrong

Basic Reading Strategies

• Approaching Passages: Do not read for small details on your first read. Instead, focus on understanding the main idea of each paragraph, the author’s purpose, and how the passage is organized. This makes it easier to find answers later without rereading the entire passage.

• Trap Answer Choices: Trap answers often sound reasonable but are slightly inaccurate, too extreme, or not fully supported by the passage. If you cannot find clear proof for an answer in the text, eliminate it.

• Basic Strategies: Every correct answer can be supported by the passage. Do not use outside knowledge or personal opinions, even if the topic seems familiar.

• Key Words: Repeated words, names, dates, and transitions signal important ideas. Paying attention to these helps you locate relevant information faster when answering questions.

• Comparison Passages: Read Passage A first to understand its main idea and perspective, then read Passage B with an eye on similarities and differences. Most questions focus on how the two passages relate to each other.

• Humanities Passages: These passages often focus on ideas, arguments, or interpretations. Pay close attention to tone, opinion words, and how the author supports their claims.

• Literary Narrative Passages: These read like short stories and focus on characters, relationships, and change. Track who is involved, what happens, and how characters think or feel.

• Natural Science Passages: These passages are factual and explanation-based. Stick closely to what is stated and avoid adding assumptions or outside scientific knowledge.

• Social Science Passages: These passages explain patterns, behaviors, or historical events. Look for cause-and-effect relationships and how evidence is used to support conclusions.

Question Type Strategies

• Line Reference: Always return to the exact lines mentioned in the question. Reading a few lines before and after helps provide context and prevents misinterpretation.

• Meaning of Words: Words are tested based on context, not dictionary definitions. Choose the meaning that best fits how the word is used in that specific sentence.

• Main Idea: The correct answer summarizes the passage as a whole. Avoid choices that focus on minor details or only one paragraph.

• Inference: Inference questions require logical conclusions that are directly supported by the text. The correct answer should feel reasonable, not like a guess.

• Author’s Method (Purpose): Ask why the author included certain information. Is it to explain, compare, describe, or persuade the reader?

• Author’s Voice: Tone questions ask how the author feels about the topic. Look for descriptive word choices that signal attitudes such as neutral, critical, or supportive.

• Except and Not: These questions ask for the answer that does NOT fit the passage. Verify each choice against the text and eliminate the ones that are supported.

• Visual Quantitative Information: Charts and graphs must be interpreted using information from the passage. Do not draw conclusions that are not directly stated or shown.

• Line Reference Questions: Never answer from memory. Always check the passage to confirm the correct answer.

• Key Words: Underline or mentally note key terms in the question before searching the passage. This helps you avoid choosing answers that are only partially correct.

Summary

ACT Reading rewards efficiency and evidence-based thinking. Focus on understanding structure, rely on the passage for proof, and eliminate answers that go beyond what is stated. With consistent practice, your speed and accuracy will improve together.

What you will get from this master guide:

• A breakdown of how ACT Science passages work

• Step-by-step strategies for each question type

• Tips to avoid common trap answers

• Practice methods to improve speed and accuracy

• Time management strategies to finish all passages

• Confidence to handle unfamiliar scientific topics

Science Section Breakdown

Time: 35 minutes
Questions: 40
Passages: 6–7

• Important note: Most questions focus on reading charts, graphs, and experiments. You do not need advanced science knowledge to do well.

Score Calculator (approximate)

1–10: 0–3 questions wrong
11–20: 4–8 questions wrong
21–30: 9–18 questions wrong
31–36: 19+ questions wrong

Unfamiliar Terms

• Science Knowledge: The ACT tests basic concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science. However, most answers come directly from the passage, not from memorized facts.

• Math Problems: Some questions require simple math, like finding differences, averages, or percentages. The math is usually basic and based on numbers in the charts.

• Scientific Method: Know the difference between independent and dependent variables. Understand control groups, hypotheses, and how experiments test ideas.

Tables, Graphs, and Figures

• Understanding Tables, Graphs, and Figures: Read titles, labels, and units carefully before answering. Many mistakes happen because students ignore what the axes represent.

• Finding Trends and Patterns: Look for increases, decreases, or patterns as one variable changes. Questions often ask what happens when one value goes up or down.

• Linking Tables and Graphs: Sometimes you must use information from more than one figure. Make sure you match the correct variable with the correct chart.

Basic Science Strategies

• Conflicting Viewpoints Passage: This passage compares two or more scientists’ opinions. Focus on how their ideas differ, not on small details. Most questions ask what each scientist believes.

Advanced Science Strategies

• Answering the “Yes”, “No”, and “Because” Questions: For these questions, check both parts of the answer choice. Even if the first part is correct, the explanation must also match the data.

• Finding Hidden Hints in the Answer Choices: Sometimes the answer choices guide you to the correct figure or part of the passage. Use them as clues to know where to look.

Time Management Tips

• Spend about 5–6 minutes per passage. If a question is taking too long, skip it and return later. Accuracy matters, but finishing the section is just as important.

Summary

ACT Science is more about reading data than knowing science facts. Focus on charts, pay attention to labels, and use the passage as your main source of information. With practice, you will start to recognize patterns in how questions are asked, and your speed will improve naturally.