Integers and evaluation
Fractions
Decimals
Expressions, equations, and formulas
Ratio, proportion, and percent
Word problems
Inequalities, graphing, and functions
Linear equations in two variables
Systems of equations
Exponents and polynomials
Factoring and polynomials
Rational expressions and equations
Radical expressions and equations
Imaginary and complex numbers
Quadratic equations and functions
Negative and rational exponents
Composite functions and inverses
Exponential and logarithmic equations
Introduction to geometry
Angle pairs and perpendicular lines
Parallel lines and polygons
Congruent triangles
Quadrilaterals
Similarity
Right triangles
Circles
Measurement, area, and volume
Coordinate geometry
Probability and statistics
The bulk of the math on the ACT comes from Algebra and Geometry. Therefore, your ACT math prep will need to include Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Plane Geometry, and Coordinate Geometry. There is also some Trigonometry on the test, although it’s not as heavily emphasized.
There are lots of study guides out there for the ACT, such as MathHelp, Princeton Review, Kaplan, Magoosh, Barron’s, and so on. Use the following steps to narrow the field and find the exact program for your needs.
Your ACT review should go far beyond the typical ACT math study guide by including comprehensive instruction, guided practice, and interactive tests. Other critical features include diagnostic tests, background lessons, and grade reports.
Your approach to ACT prep should be direct and to the point. Don’t waste your time with long-winded explanations, and target the topics that are covered on the test. The best ACT Math prep must be incredibly efficient as well.
A test prep book with an ACT math practice test is inexpensive, but it’s often not helpful enough. Conversely, classes and tutors are helpful, but they may be too expensive. The secret is to find an ACT Math test prep course that works well but doesn’t break the bank.
Use the following steps to prepare for the math ACT.
The most common math questions on the ACT cover Pre-Algebra concepts, such as the ones shown below.
If you’re wondering how to pass the ACT math, here are some tips that can help.
The ACT Math section can be hard because you are required to answer 60 questions in 60 minutes. In addition to the time pressure, the math itself is hard for many students because it primarily covers Algebra and Geometry, which are difficult subjects for the average test-taker.
Whether the ACT or SAT math is harder depends on the student. The math on the tests is pretty similar. However, the SAT has a section that doesn’t allow you to use a calculator, so students who rely heavily on their calculators might find the SAT harder. On the other hand, the ACT gives you 60 minutes for 60 math questions, while the SAT gives you 80 minutes for just 58 math questions, so slow test-takers will probably find the ACT harder.
The best possible score on the ACT math is a 36, so if you’re wondering how to get a 36, your first step will be to prepare thoroughly. Find a test prep program that teaches you the math behind the questions, so that you build a rock-solid background that allows you to tackle every type of question you might see. Because if you want to get a 36 on the ACT math test, you’re only allowed to miss 3 of the 60 questions.
A 33 is an excellent score on the ACT. If you get a 33, it means that you’re in the 98th percentile. In other words, your score is higher than 98% of the students who take the test. No matter where you’re applying to college, 33 is considered a good score.
The ACT program was helpful. The video people explained things well.Stella Brown - January 2025
Very helpful for the ACT. I would use it again if I have another test to study for.Elisabeth Faulkner - February 2024
I haven't taken my ACT yet, but I can already tell it is going to go very well! The biggest element of why I love mathhelp so much and have used it several times is the small manageable lessons. I can't sit down and listen to a thirty-minute video. Having it broken up into five minutes or fewer intervals helps it become so much more digestible.Allie Morelli - May 2023
The ACT, (originally an abbreviation of American College Testing) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It is currently administered by ACT, a nonprofit organization of the same name. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. It also offers an optional direct writing test. It is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States as well as more than 225 universities outside of the U.S.
The main four ACT test sections are individually scored on a scale of 1–36, and a composite score (the rounded whole number average of the four sections) is provided.
ACT, Inc., says that the ACT assessment measures high school students' general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work with the multiple choice tests covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The optional Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Specifically, ACT states that its scores provide an indicator of "college readiness", and that scores in each of the subtests correspond to skills in entry-level college courses in English, algebra, social science, humanities, and biology
Each question answered correctly is worth one raw point, and there is no penalty for marking incorrect answers on the multiple-choice parts of the test; a student can answer all questions without a decrease in their score due to incorrect answers.
The second section is a 60-minute, 60-question math test with the usual distribution of questions being approximately 14 covering pre-algebra, 10 elementary algebra, 9 intermediate algebra, 14 plane geometry, 9 coordinate geometry, and 4 elementary trigonometry questions. However, the distribution of question topics varies from test to test. The difficulty of questions usually increases as you get to higher question numbers. Calculators are permitted in this section only. This is the only section that has five answer choices per question instead of four.
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