ACT Format & Structure | 2021-2022 ACT Test Dates - LA Tutors 123

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WHAT IS THE ACT?

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized exam used for college admission. The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. There is also an optional Writing portion of the exam.

ACT FORMAT: Paper Test through July 2025

The paper version of the ACT is a 3 hour and 30 minute exam consisting of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional writing section. The breakdown of each section is as follows:

ACT Test Section	# of Questions	Content	Timing
ENGLISH	75 questions	Punctuation Grammar and usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills	45 minutes
MATHEMATICS	60 questions	Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry/Trigonometry	60 minutes
READING	40 questions	Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities	35 minutes
SCIENCE	40 questions	Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints	35 minutes
WRITING (OPTIONAL)	1 prompt	Ideas & Analysis Development & Support Organization Language Use & Conventions	40 minutes

ACT FORMAT: Digital Test (starting in April 2025) and Updated Paper Test (starting Sept 2025)

The Updated ACT is a 2 to 3.5 hour exam consisting of three required multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, and Reading, along with optional Science and writing sections. The breakdown of each section is as follows:

ACT Test Section	# of Questions	Content	Timing
ENGLISH	50 questions	Punctuation Grammar and usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills	35 minutes
MATHEMATICS	45 questions	Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry/Trigonometry	50 minutes
READING	36 questions	Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities	40 minutes
SCIENCE (OPTIONAL)	40 questions	Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints	40 minutes
WRITING (OPTIONAL)	1 prompt	Ideas & Analysis Development & Support Organization Language Use & Conventions	40 minutes

ACT TEST DATES

Below are official test dates for the ACT’s 2025-2026 season. Score release dates are estimates only. Please be advised these dates are subject to change. To view ACT’s official release of test dates, please reference this link.

2025-2026 Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Estimated Score Release
April 5, 2025	February 28, 2025	March 16, 2025	April 15 – April 29, 2025
June 14, 2025	May 9, 2025	May 26, 2025	June 24 – July 8, 2025
July 12, 2025*	June 6, 2025	June 20, 2025	July 22 – August 5, 2025
September 6, 2025	August 1, 2025	August 19, 2025	Sept 16 – Sept 30, 2025
October 18, 2025	September 12, 2025	September 30, 2025	October 28 – November 11, 2025
December 13, 2025	November 7, 2025	November 24, 2025	Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026
February 14, 2026	January 7, 2026	January 21, 2026	February 24 – March 10, 2026
April 11, 2026	March 6, 2026	March 24, 2026	April 21 – May 5, 2026
June 13, 2026	May 8, 2026	May 27, 2026	May 18 – June 1, 2026
July 11, 2026*	June 5, 2026	June 24, 2026	July 21 – August 4, 2026

*July test dates are not available in New York

NOTE: For the April, June, and July 2025 test dates, the digital ACT will reflect the new test format and have an optional Science section, while the paper test will reflect the old format and require the Science section. Starting in September 2025, both test formats will reflect the new test format, with the science section being optional.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Don’t stop here! Check out our blog for new posts about preparing for the ACT. Below are a few posts you may find useful.

PAPER OR DIGITAL ACT? NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL ACT IN A TIME OF TRANSITION While the SAT has already gone fully digital, the ACT is in the middle of its transition to digital testing. Starting this April (2025), test takers in the United States can choose to take the ACT on the computer or on paper. Both tests must be taken at a school or test center… READ MORE

HOW TO GET A PERFECT SCORE ON THE ACT! Over one million students take the ACT every year. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of these students earn a perfect score on the exam. So how can you score a 36 on the ACT? It’s not impossible to get a perfect score, but it does require hard work… READ MORE

FIVE TEST-TAKING SECRETS FOR THE ACT So you’ve taken a class, or even had a private tutor help you prepare for your test. Is there anything else you can do? While private tutoring remains the most efficient way to improve your score… READ MORE

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