How Long Is The Act Writing Section

The ACT® is meant to measure the knowledge you gained in high school to determine your "academic readiness" for a university. While overall the ACT® experience is between 4 and 5 hours, the actual test itself is 2 hours and 55 minutes or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the writing position. So, the 4-5 hour time frame incorporates all the accounted breaks throughout this long exam. The ACT® is a long and tedious test, so you want to make sure that you understand the structure and content beforehand to do the best you can.

To help you plan, we have broken down the ACT® into its different sections with some practical guidance for each area. Time management is a major factor during any portion of the test, so we will help you organize your time for success.

Here is what a typical ACT® schedule would look like.

Standard ACT® Schedule

Subject Area	Number of Questions	Time (Minutes)
English	75	45
Math	60	60
Reading	40	35
Science	40	35
Writing*	1	40
Total (ACT® without Writing)	215	175 (2 hours, 55 minutes)
Total (ACT® with Writing)	215, plus essay	215 (3 hours, 35 minutes)

This is a typical schedule that most students across the country, and even the world, experience during the ACT®. It is possible that there could be variations due to break times, proctor strictness, or a disruption, but for the most part, this is a standard set of time. In some cases, proctors have skipped the break, which can disrupt your pacing and also prevent you from resting. If this happens, make sure you notify your representative, since you are permitted 10 minutes of break time after the math portion.

The only exception for this timetable is for those students who receive extended time or other accommodations. Otherwise, circumstances are the same for every student.

ACT® Procedures

In addition to breaks, other events will take up time on your ACT® exam day. You should have your ACT® exam day planned out to ensure your success and organization. You should enter the testing center early and, according to the ACT® guidelines, check in by 8:00. If you are late, then you won't be allowed to take the test.

Plan to be early. Your test center size can vary, but by arriving early, you can avoid being late due to a long check-in line. Try to get there around 7:30 to stay on the safe side. Keep your admission ticket after you check in because you will need it to enter your information on the ACT®.

After everyone is checked in, the exam proctor will read you the instructions and hand out the test. This procedure will take some time as will filling out the required personal information. In total, this will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, meaning you won't start the actual ACT® until at least 8:30 or 9:00.

A majority of students will finish and leave the testing room between 12:15 or 1:15 depending whether they did the essay portion. Students with extended time will most likely stay until 2:30 or 3:00 or might also take the ACT® exam over different days.

How Long is Each Section in the ACT®?

The ACT® is comprised of four different sections — English, math, reading, and science — or five sections if you include the writing portion. To get a better sense of how long the ACT® will take, we will guide you through each segment of the exam.

English

The English section of the test will most likely feel very fast. Since it is the first part of the test, you will feel fresh and eager to get the answers, which is good. You will need your strength to get through all 75 questions in just 45 minutes.

To prepare, you should focus on pacing during practice exams, so that you can execute this timely fashion in your actual ACT®. You want to improve your overall speed, so start by seeing how long it takes you to complete without a timer. Take this time and then try to narrow it down until you reach 60 minutes. After you feel comfortable doing this subject area in 60 minutes, decrease the time to 45 minutes. This method will increase your speed and precision and get you familiar with the overall format.

Math

The math subject area features 60 questions that you must answer in 60 minutes, which is nice because then you can pace yourself to respond a question per minute. If you find this speed to be difficult, then start practicing with more time until you can narrow it down to 60 minutes. Your goal should be an increase in your pace without a decrease in accuracy.

Reading

CollegeBoard expects that you will have a high reading score, so that you will be able to succeed in freshman humanities courses and all other classes that require strong reading skills. Some students struggle with strategies for dealing with these long passages, while others don't read quickly enough. Whatever your case may be, you will benefit tremendously from learning how to tackle these reading questions.

Start by making sure you understand what the question is asking. Once you have a solid understanding of the question, break down the passage, so it's not as overwhelming. When you are studying for the ACT® Reading section, develop a method that works best for you. Decide whether you will skim the passage first and then look at the questions, or if you will reverse that and read the questions then the passage. Either way works, so find out what is the most helpful for you. After you choose your method, practice so that you can apply your method to the actual test. Your goal should be to simplify the information and passages without making mistakes. You want to be quick and efficient during this section, but not reckless.

Science

The science portion of the ACT® is almost the same as the reading section. Whereas in math there are problems to solve, in the science section, you will be reading a passage and then answering a sequence of questions related to it.

The science section has seven different passages that could contain experiment summaries, charts, graphs, and other infographics expressing different scientific viewpoints. Following the passage are related questions. To succeed in science, you must be able to quickly but correctly read and analyze the scientific data.

Writing

Now this will only apply to those who opt for the writing section, as it is optional. Check the schools and programs you are applying to and decide if taking the writing section is the best option for you.

To succeed in this subject area, you should organize your ideas. You only get 40 minutes for this section, so I would sketch a quick outline of your thesis and how it connects to the rest of your essay. Make it very where you stand in your argument and perspective. Your stance is important because it helps you avoid having an ambiguous view on the issue. Make sure that you support your ideas with specific details that reinforce your argument. Another tip is to create clear, sharp sentences as opposed to fancy ones with large words. This will strengthen your writing and make it easy for the graders to understand.

Breaks During the ACT®

Since the ACT® exam is a concentrated and lengthy test, you should get there early and take advantage of the break times.

Make sure that you bring a bottle of water with you and some snacks. There is nothing worse than taking a test when you are hungry or thirsty. Hunger distracts your mind, so you won't be able to give the test your all with your stomach rumbling.

Stamina

The most efficient way to prepare for the ACT®'s concentrated and quick pacing is to take full, timed practice tests. Practice taking them in the morning to replicate the actual test scenario itself.

Doing practice tests will help you become more familiar and, in turn, more comfortable with the ACT®'s set up and the pace of the questions.

If you are taking the ACT® with writing, practice planning and writing your essays after the multiple-choice exam. This can be difficult after three hours of questions, but it is exactly what you will have to do on the actual test day. This practice will provide you with you the best chance of battling fatigue and concentrating on the day of the ACT®.

Begin by taking a full practice exam before your actual test, so you can see how well you know the material. It will focus you in on your weak areas that you struggle with, allowing you to better prepare for the exam. Create a study guide or find a pre-made one that covers all the material on the test. Use this study guide daily.

Practice timing yourself while you do practice questions so you can get a feel for what the test will be like. This will help you with your time management and give you an opportunity to practice. Pacing is key to doing well on the ACT®. You may be knowledgeable in the different subject areas, but unless you manage your time properly, you won't be able to show your skills.

For each subject area, start with a large chunk of time, such as 60 minutes, and then work your way down to the required section time. This method will give you a realistic feeling of the pressure and speed of the ACT®, so you don't feel overwhelmed when it comes to your test day. Keep practicing your pacing until you hit the time allotments for each section.

Along with pacing, you should also familiarize yourself with the exam's instructions. Review the requirements for each section, so that you understand exactly what is being asked of you on the test. Don't waste your time during the actual exam reading the directions — study them beforehand.

With any significant task, when you want to succeed, training is essential. Since you already have an outline of how the test is structured, you should practice getting comfortable with the question types. Use the process of elimination and other multiple-choice tactics to aid your success. Complete practice questions from past tests, study guides, or even in the material from the ACT® review book.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses to best prepare. If you are confident in your English skills, but lacking power in math, then tailor your studying to your strengths and weaknesses. Attack your shortcomings and focus on studying for them first. You will need more study time for areas that you are weak in, so don't avoid these subjects.

Also make sure that you are studying consistently. You should opt to review the material every day (or at least four times a week). Avoid limiting your study time to one intense day a week. Be realistic with how much time you can commit to studying and dedicate that time period to the ACT®.

Stay relaxed! By reviewing this article, you should have a more in-depth look at the ACT® exam content and test taking experience. Don't stress yourself studying for or during the test. Organize your material and schedule, so that you can focus on the test without feeling rushed or pressured.

When it comes time for the test, get plenty of sleep the night before and have a healthy breakfast. Organize your morning so that you can arrive to the ACT® testing center early and avoid any hassles. Make sure to bring all the materials you'll need with you. By this point, your effective studying methods and knowledge of the test structure will guide you to success. Focus on applying your pacing tactics, remaining relaxed, and being confident. With this mindset, you are sure to do well on the ACT®.

Hopefully, these tips and information will help you succeed in taking the ACT®. Good luck!

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