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ACT Math

Six areas are tested on the ACT’s math section.

The ACT math section contains 60 multiple-choice questions relating to six different content areas. You will have 60 minutes to complete this section.

The math section is the only part of the ACT that contains five rather than four answer choices.

In addition to math, the ACT exam also includes sections on English, reading comprehension, science and an optional essay.

What Is Tested

The ACT math section focuses on six general content areas:

• Pre-Algebra (14 questions)
• Elementary Algebra (10 questions)
• Intermediate Algebra (9 questions)
• Coordinate Geometry (9 questions)
• Plane Geometry (14 questions)
• Elementary Trigonometry (4 questions)

Within each of these categories, you will be expected to know basic formulas and complete appropriate computations. Approved calculators are permitted during the ACT but are not required, as every math question can be solved without them.

How the ACT Math Section Is Scored

The ACT math test is scored similarly to the ACT as a whole. The questions you answered correctly (you aren’t penalized for incorrect answers) are added to determine a raw score. This is converted into a score between 1 and 36, with 1 being poor and 36 being excellent.

The math section also has three sub-scores divided among its content areas to indicate your strengths and weaknesses.

The national average score for the ACT math test is 20.8.

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