ACT

Per ACT, English is 35 minutes for 50 questions, math is 50 minutes for 45 questions, and reading is 40 minutes for 36 questions. The optional science add-on is 40 minutes for 40 questions, and the optional writing add-on is 40 minutes for one prompt. Check your own registration for the total seat time.

No. ACT states that the science and writing sections are optional add-ons and do not affect your Composite score. You choose whether to add them when you register, so skip them unless a college or scholarship you care about wants them.

ACT lists the base test at $70.00, the writing add-on at $25.00, and the science add-on at $5.00. ACT also notes fee waivers are available to those who qualify based on location and household income, so check eligibility before you pay.

ACT says you can test the way you test best: digital or paper. Both options cover the same content. If you test digitally with your own device, ACT advises bringing a fully charged laptop and charger on test day.

ACT's checklist includes your admission ticket printed from MyACT after uploading a photo, an acceptable photo ID, sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers, a watch with no alarm, snacks for breaks, and a permitted calculator for the math test only. Bring a fully charged device and charger if testing on your own laptop.

Difficulty is mostly about pace, not trick questions. ACT describes the test as built on what you learned in class, with no tricks and no adaptive surprises. The math section assumes skills typically acquired through courses up to the beginning of grade 12, so gaps in algebra or geometry hurt more than unfamiliar content.

Start with a free full-length practice test from ACT to get a baseline. Then spend most of your time on the section with the largest gap to your target score, practicing under the official time limits. Finish with timed full sections so pacing, not content, is the last thing you fix.

Running out of time is the big one, since each section is tightly timed. Others include skipping the optional sections without checking whether a target college wants them, forgetting the admission ticket or acceptable photo ID, and bringing a calculator that is not permitted. ACT advises reviewing its full test day guidelines in advance.

ACT lists December 12 with a November 6 registration deadline and November 29 late registration, and February 27 with a January 22 deadline and February 9 late registration. A late fee applies. ACT also notes no test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.