ACT Math: A Complete Guide

Applying to US universities often means taking the ACT, a standardized test that includes a challenging Math section. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ACT Math – from the basics of its structure and scoring to the content it covers and tips for boosting your score.

Note: this guide is updated to reflect the changes to the ACT format announced in 2025.

Structure of the ACT Math Section

How long is the ACT Math section?

The ACT Math section has been reduced from 60 minutes to 50 minutes for Spring 2026 onwards, but it remains the longest portion of the exam.

How many Math questions are on the ACT?

There are 45 Math questions on the ACT in its latest format. Previously, the section had 60 questions in 60 minutes, so now you have slightly longer to answer each question. Every question is worth the same amount – you earn 1 point for a correct answer.

The questions cover a mix of mathematical topics (more on the content in a later section) and are not presented in order by topic. They tend to increase in difficulty as you progress through the section, meaning the first questions are generally easier and the last ones are the most challenging.

How do the questions work?

All ACT Math questions are multiple-choice. Each question presents a problem and four possible answers. You’ll solve each problem and select the best answer from the options given.

A calculator is allowed on the ACT Math section, so you can bring an approved calculator to use on all questions (unlike the SAT, there is no separate no-calculator portion). Keep in mind that the ACT does not provide any formula sheet – you’re expected to know common math formulas from memory. Every question can be solved without a calculator, but a calculator can speed up your work or help you check for accuracy.

Timing

Timing on ACT Math is tight. With 45 questions in 50 minutes, you have just over a minute per question on average. Managing this time effectively is key to a good score. Since the questions generally get harder towards the end, you might want to move a bit faster through the early, easier questions to save time for the later ones. For example, if you can answer the first 30 questions in, say, 25–30 minutes, you’ll have more time remaining to tackle the tougher problems at the end.

Remember, you control the pacing – you can skip a tricky question and return to it later if time permits. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so it’s better to guess on a question you can’t finish than to leave it blank. Marking your best guess and moving on is often wiser than getting stuck too long on one problem.

ACT Math Scoring

How does scoring work?

ACT Math scoring begins with your raw score, which is simply the number of Math questions you answered correctly. There’s no deduction for incorrect answers.

Note that 4 of the 45 questions are ‘field test’ questions. This means that they are in the test to evaluate potential questions for future exams. These field test questions are not scored – so your raw score will be out of 41, not 45 – but there is no way to distinguish them from the ‘real’ questions, so you should do your best to get every question right.

This raw score is then converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36. The scaling process adjusts for slight differences in difficulty across different test dates.

How your Math score fits into your composite score

The Math section’s scaled score is one component of your overall ACT composite score. The composite score is the average of the section scores (in the current test format, that’s the average of your Math, English, and Reading scores – and Science if you took the optional Science section).

For example, if you scored 30 on Math, 28 on English, and 32 on Reading, your composite would be the average of those three: 30.

Note: The optional Writing essay is scored separately and does not affect your composite.

What is a good score?

A “good” ACT Math score can mean different things depending on your goals.

The national average ACT Math score hovers around 16-17. If you score above this, you’re doing better than the majority of test-takers. A score of 23 or higher would place you in the top 25% of students.

However, if you’re aiming for competitive universities, you’ll want to aim higher – in the high 20s and above. A 30 in Math is around the 96^th percentile (only 4% of students get this score or higher).

Elite universities like the Ivy League and Ivy Plus schools will be looking for scores of 33+, and many candidates will get 35 or 36 in the ACT Math.

Remember that “good” is relative – a good score is one that meets or exceeds the requirements of the colleges you are interested in. It’s wise to check the average ACT scores of admitted students for your target universities to set a personal goal.

What Math is on the ACT?

One big question students have is: what kind of math will I need to know for the ACT?

The ACT Math section covers a broad range of topics taught up through the start of 12th grade. In general, you’ll encounter problems from Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, as well as some basic number theory and statistics/probability. There is no calculus on the ACT.

The ACT’s official description of the Math content is available online, but in the meantime here’s a closer look at the major content areas:

Algebra

A significant portion of ACT Math is algebra. This includes elementary algebra (think of concepts from an Algebra I class) and intermediate algebra/coordinate algebra (Algebra II concepts).

You should be comfortable solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, working with quadratic equations (including using the quadratic formula), exponents and radicals, and systems of equations.

Functions are also important – you may see questions on function notation, interpreting linear and quadratic functions, or simple exponential relationships. Algebra questions can range from basic equation-solving to word problems that require setting up an equation from a real-life scenario.

Geometry

About a third of the questions are geometry-based. This covers both plane geometry (flat shapes) and coordinate geometry (graphs and the coordinate plane).

Key plane geometry topics include properties of angles and triangles, the Pythagorean theorem, circle properties, polygons, and volume and surface area of solids.

Be prepared for questions about congruence and similarity (for instance, similar triangles), and calculations of areas and perimeters of shapes like triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, and circles.

In coordinate geometry, you should know how to find the distance between points, the midpoint, the slope of a line, and how to interpret equations of lines and curves on the xy-plane.

Often, geometry problems will require you to apply formulas or theorems to find a missing length or measure.

Trigonometry

A small but notable portion of ACT Math involves trigonometry, usually around 5–10% of the questions. These questions typically appear toward the end of the section (since they’re considered more advanced).

The ACT doesn’t go into very advanced trig, but you’ll need to know the basics. That means understanding the sine, cosine, and tangent of angles, especially in right triangles.

You should memorize the SOH-CAH-TOA relationships (Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, etc.) for right-angle triangle problems. The test may ask for values of trig functions for common angles like 30°, 45°, or 60°.

You might also see questions about the unit circle or basic trig identities, but often it’s kept to evaluating trig expressions or solving simple equations like sin x = √3/2.

If you’ve had an introduction to trigonometry (often in Algebra II or pre-calculus), you should be well-equipped for these questions.

Additional Topics

While algebra, geometry, and trig are the core, the ACT Math will also include a few questions on other math topics.

Be ready for some number and quantity questions (e.g. operations with integers, fractions, or decimals, ratios and percentages, absolute values) and basic statistics and probability (mean, median, mode, simple probability calculations, interpreting data from tables or charts).

You may also encounter the occasional question on more advanced concepts like matrices, vectors, or complex numbers – but these are rare and usually appear only in the hardest questions.

Essentially, the test is designed to cover the breadth of typical high school math up through junior year, so reviewing your coursework in those areas is a great way to prepare.

What formulas do you need to memorise?

The ACT does not provide a formula sheet, so it’s important to memorise key math formulas ahead of time. Knowing these formulas by heart will save you time and stress on test day. Here are some of the most useful formulas and facts to commit to memory:

• Linear equations: Slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) and the slope formula for two points ((y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁)).
• Quadratic formula: For solving quadratic equations
• Pythagorean theorem: for right triangles (and know common Pythagorean triplets like 3-4-5).
• Area formulas: Area of a triangle Area of a rectangle Area of a parallelogram Area of a circle
• Circle formulas: Circumference of a circle Know that a circle has 360°; area of a sector (proportional part of area based on central angle).
• Volume formulas: Volume of a rectangular prism or cube (or for a cube); volume of a cylinder (The ACT may not heavily test 3D volume, but it’s good to know basics.)
• Trigonometry basics: Definitions of sin, cos, tan as mentioned (SOH-CAH-TOA). Also, the values of sine, cosine, and tangent for 30°, 45°, 60° if possible, and that sin 90° = 1, cos 90° = 0, etc.
• Special right triangles: The side ratios for 45-45-90 triangles (1:1:√2) and 30-60-90 triangles (1:√3:2) can be very handy for quick solving.
• Coordinate geometry: Distance formula Midpoint formula Equation of a circle centered at

That may seem like a lot of formulas, but many of them you have likely used in your math classes already. Make flashcards or a formula sheet to quiz yourself. With practice, recalling these will become second nature. Knowing the right formula to apply can make solving ACT Math questions much faster.

ACT Math – Hard Questions

What about the hard questions on ACT Math? The difficulty of questions on the ACT Math section tends to increase as you go through the section. The last 10–15 questions are often the most challenging.

These hard questions might involve more complex reasoning, multi-step problem solving, or less familiar topics. For example, a tough question could combine concepts (like an algebra problem that requires a bit of geometry knowledge), or present a word problem with an unusual setup.

You might see advanced algebra topics like systems of equations with three variables, quadratic inequalities, or a question involving logarithms. In geometry, a hard question could involve an atypical shape or require understanding an indirect concept (like using symmetry or coordinate geometry to solve a geometry problem). Trigonometry questions, since they are newer to many students, can also feel hard – especially if they involve the unit circle or trig identities.

Don’t be discouraged by the hardest questions. They are meant to distinguish top scorers, and it’s normal for many students not to get all of them right. The good news is you do not need a perfect raw score to get a very high scaled score (for instance, you might be able to get a 34 on Math even if you miss a couple of questions).

If you encounter a very difficult problem, it’s often wise to skip it initially and make sure you’ve answered all the questions you find easier first. Come back to the tough one if you have time at the end. And remember to at least fill in an answer – there’s no penalty for guessing, and you might get it right by chance.

How to Increase Your ACT Math Score

Improving your ACT Math score is absolutely possible with the right approach. It comes down to two things: targeted studying and smart test-taking techniques. Let’s break those down.

How to study for ACT Math

Start with a diagnostic

Take a practice ACT Math section (from an official ACT practice test or a reputable prep book) to see where you stand. This will highlight your current score level and, importantly, show you which question types or topics you struggled with.

Review the content

Use your diagnostic results to identify weak areas. Maybe you found the geometry questions tricky, or perhaps you made errors on algebraic manipulation problems. Once you know your weak spots, you can review those topics.

Practise, practise, practise

There’s no substitute for practice in math. Solve lots of ACT-style math questions – official practice resources are available from the ACT here.

Timed practice is particularly valuable – set a timer and do, say, 15 math questions in 15 minutes to train your pacing.

Always review your answers afterward, especially the ones you got wrong. Understanding your mistakes is the fastest way to improve. If you got a question wrong, figure out why: Did you misread the question? Did you not know the formula or the approach? Did you make a simple arithmetic error? Then take steps to address that (such as practicing more problems of that type, or being more careful with calculation).

Make a study schedule

Consistency is key. Plan out your study sessions in the weeks or months leading up to your ACT test date. Even 30 minutes of math practice a day can be more effective than a once-a-week marathon. Regular exposure to the material will keep your skills sharp and improve retention of formulas and strategies.

ACT Preparation from Dukes Plus

If you’re struggling to make progress on your own, consider seeking extra help.

At Dukes Plus, our expert ACT preparation has helped students improve their scores for more than 20 years. Our ACT prep course offers an intensive guide to the content and key test strategies to excel, while our ACT test tutoring helps students increase their score by 7 points on average.

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Exam technique tips

Knowing math content is one part of the battle; knowing how to take the test is the other. You can read more ACT tips for the whole test in our dedicated guide.

Here are some proven ACT Math exam techniques to help you maximise your score:

Read each question carefully

It sounds obvious, but in the pressure of the exam, it’s easy to misread a problem or overlook a key detail. Pay attention to words like “not” or “except”, and make sure you understand what the question is really asking.

Manage your time wisely

As discussed, you have slightly more than a minute per question, but not all questions are equal. Move efficiently through easier questions to bank time for the harder ones. Don’t get bogged down early. If a question is confusing or taking too long, mark it and move on. It’s better to answer all the questions you know first.

A common strategy is the “pass system” – go through the section answering everything straightforward first (pass 1), then use remaining time to tackle the ones you skipped (pass 2). Keep an eye on the clock, and aim to be more than halfway through the questions when about half your time is up.

Use process of elimination

When you’re not 100% sure of the correct answer, try to eliminate as many wrong choices as you can. Crossing out obviously incorrect options improves your odds if you need to guess.

Sometimes the format of the answers can help – for example, if solving an equation, you might quickly test each answer choice to see which one satisfies the equation (this is often called “backsolving”).

Eliminating even one or two choices is significant. On a four-choice question, if you can eliminate two, your random guess has a 1 in 2 chance instead of 1 in 4.

Answer every question – don’t leave blanks

There is no penalty for wrong answers on the ACT, so you should fill in an answer for every question, even if you’re unsure.

Use your calculator smartly

Bring a calculator you’re comfortable with (and make sure it’s on the ACT’s allowed list). Use it to do calculations faster or to avoid careless arithmetic mistakes. However, don’t become over-reliant on it. You should be able to do simpler calculations by hand or in your head to save time.

Double-check if time permits

If you happen to finish with a few minutes to spare, use that time to go back and review your answers, especially on questions you were unsure about.

Don’t neglect to double-check answers you were confident on, too – a simple misread of the question, careless calculation error, or even selecting an answer you didn’t mean to can cost you marks that you should have in the bag.