ACT Math is one of the four multiple-choice sections of the ACT exam (five if you count the optional Writing test). It assesses the mathematical skills students typically acquire up to the start of 12th grade.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about the ACT Math section – from its format (including upcoming changes in 2025) and question types to the content it covers, scoring, and strategies for success. By understanding the structure and expectations of ACT Math, you can approach this section with confidence and an effective game plan.
The ACT Math section is designed to measure your grasp of high school math concepts and your ability to solve problems efficiently. Currently (through early 2025), the Math section consists of 60 questions to be answered in 60 minutes – essentially a question per minute. Starting in April 2025, an Enhanced ACT format will be introduced (initially for online tests, and later for all tests) that shortens the Math section to 45 questions in 50 minutes. This change gives you slightly more time per question on the new version. Despite the format change, the math skills tested remain comparable, and calculators continue to be allowed in both versions (with the same restrictions, discussed below).
Information derived from ACT.org
| Feature | Current ACT Math (through early 2025) | Enhanced ACT Math (starting 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 60 | 45 |
| Time Allotted | 60 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Average Time per Question | ~1 minute per question | ~1 minute 7 seconds per question |
| Answer Choices per Question | 5 options (A–E) | 4 options |
| Calculator Use | Allowed (on all questions) | Allowed (on all questions) |
| Role in Composite Score | Included (1 of 4 section scores) | Included (1 of 3 section scores; Science optional) |
Table: Key differences between the current ACT Math and the Enhanced ACT Math formats.
In both the current and enhanced formats, all ACT Math questions are multiple-choice. One notable change is that the enhanced test reduces the number of answer options from five to four, which can slightly increase your odds when guessing. The ordering of questions is one single section (no separate subsections), and you can move freely among the math questions within the time limit.
Calculator use is permitted on the entire Math section (unlike the SAT, which has a no-calculator portion), as long as your calculator meets ACT's requirements. Be sure to review ACT's calculator policy to avoid bringing a prohibited model (for example, calculators with computer algebra systems are not allowed).
Every ACT Math question presents a problem or scenario and five answer choices (A–E) for the current test (or four choices (A–D) on the enhanced test). There are no grid-in or free-response questions on ACT Math – every question is in multiple-choice format. Questions may be word problems, equations to solve, graphs to interpret, or geometric diagrams to analyze. Most questions are self-contained (each question stands on its own), though occasionally you'll see a set of a few questions referring to the same figure or data set (for example, two questions about the same graph or chart).
The difficulty of questions tends to increase as you progress through the section – generally, earlier questions are easier and later questions are more challenging. This means the first 15–20 problems are usually more straightforward, while the last 10 or so can be quite complex or time-consuming.
You may use a calculator on ACT Math for any question you like. Most standard scientific and graphing calculators are allowed, but certain types (like those with CAS algebra systems, internet access, or communication abilities) are prohibited. Since the test is written to be calculator-neutral, having a calculator won't automatically solve problems for you – many questions can be done quicker by reasoning or estimation.
The best practice is to use your calculator as a tool for tough calculations or to double-check work, but don't rely on it for every question. Also, make sure you're familiar with the calculator you plan to use (practice with it beforehand) so you don't waste time figuring out buttons on test day.
In the current ACT Math, you have 60 minutes for 60 questions, which is 1 minute per question on average. Time management is crucial – it's a fast-paced test. On the enhanced ACT Math (from April 2025 onward), you'll have 50 minutes for 45 questions, giving you roughly 1 minute and 7 seconds per question. This provides a bit more breathing room per problem. The overall pacing, however, remains brisk, so you'll still need to practice working efficiently. Keep in mind that with the enhanced format's fewer questions, each individual question will represent a slightly larger portion of your raw score than under the current format.
According to ACT's official breakdown, questions fall into two broad content categories – Preparing for Higher Math and Integrating Essential Skills – with an additional cross-cutting category called Modeling that can overlap with both.
Preparing for Higher Math (~57–60% of questions) – This category encompasses the more advanced topics that students typically learn from algebra onward. It's subdivided into five domains, each representing a key area of math:
Number & Quantity (≈7–10%): Understanding real and complex number systems, including properties of integers, rational numbers, exponents, vectors, and matrices.
Algebra (≈12–15%): Solving, graphing, and modeling with algebraic equations. This includes linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, quadratics, polynomials, exponents, and other algebraic expressions.
Functions (≈12–15%): Concepts of functions and their applications. You need to understand function notation, interpret and manipulate different types of functions (linear, quadratic, exponential, radical, piecewise, etc.), and analyze function graphs.
Geometry (≈12–15%): Knowledge of shapes, sizes, and the properties of space. Questions cover topics like congruence and similarity, the Pythagorean theorem, properties of circles and polygons, area and volume of geometric figures, 3D solids, and basic trigonometry (e.g. sine, cosine in right triangles).
Statistics & Probability (≈8–12%): Basic concepts of data analysis, probability, and statistics. This includes interpreting data sets, understanding mean/median, probability rules, combinations, and analyzing relationships in bivariate data.
Integrating Essential Skills (~40–43% of questions) – This category draws on fundamental mathematical skills typically taught before high school (and early high school). These questions require you to apply core skills in more complex or practical contexts. For example, you might see problems involving rates and percentages, proportional relationships, basic geometry calculations (area, perimeter, volume), averages and medians, or unit conversions.
Essentially, these are multi-step problems that combine simpler concepts – you may need to recall how to do arithmetic operations, work with fractions or ratios, or apply elementary algebra/geometry in solving a real-world scenario. The emphasis is on synthesizing and applying basics to novel situations, rather than on advanced formulas.
Modeling – Modeling is a unique cross-category designation. It doesn't have a fixed percentage of questions; instead, any question that involves building or interpreting a mathematical model is tagged as a Modeling question. Modeling in this context means using mathematics to represent real-world situations – for example, writing an equation to describe a word problem or interpreting the results of a mathematical model.
These questions are counted within the other two categories (they will be about algebra, geometry, etc. and involve modeling). The modeling category is an overall indicator of how well you can apply math to solve real-life problems, which is a key skill for college and careers. You can expect that several questions on the test will involve setting up equations from story problems or using given data to make conclusions – those exemplify the Modeling aspect of ACT Math.
It's worth noting that ACT provides reporting sub-scores for each of the above content areas on your score report. This helps you see where your strengths and weaknesses lie (e.g., you might do better in Algebra but need improvement in Geometry). However, to maximize your ACT Math score, you should prepare across all these areas, since the test is broad and you never know which specific skills will be emphasized on your test form.
Another point about content: formulas are not provided on the ACT Math test, unlike some other exams. You're expected to know basic formulas (area, volume, the quadratic formula, etc.) or have the reasoning skills to derive them when needed. The ACT assumes knowledge of common mathematical formulas and properties as part of your background, though it doesn't require memorizing highly complex formulas. For instance, you should remember the formulas for the area of a circle, the slope of a line, or the quadratic formula, but you won't need to have something obscure like the formula for the sum of sine waves memorized.
Scoring on ACT Math is based entirely on the number of questions you answer correctly. Each correct answer adds 1 point to your raw score, with no deductions for wrong answers (no guessing penalty). If you answer 40 questions correctly out of 60, your raw score is 40. Your raw score is then converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36, which adjusts for difficulty differences across test forms. A perfect raw score yields a 36, but the raw score needed for other scaled values varies by test form. To score in the high 20s or 30s, you can only afford a few mistakes.
Your ACT Math scaled score contributes to your Composite score. The Composite score is the average of the four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science), rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, scores of 30 English, 27 Math, 28 Reading, and 24 Science average to 27.25, which rounds to 27. Each section is weighted equally. (The optional Writing test is reported separately.)
Upcoming Scoring Change (Enhanced ACT): From 2025, the Science section becomes optional and the Composite score will calculate from only three sections (English, Math, Reading). If you take Science, it's reported separately along with a STEM score combining Math and Science. The Math scale remains 1–36, with benchmarks unchanged. Math will count for one-third of the composite without Science, versus one-fourth currently.
Your score report shows your Math scaled score and percentile rank. The national average for ACT Math is around 19–20. A score of 20 is slightly above average, 25+ is well above average, and 30+ places you in roughly the top 10%. The ACT College Readiness Benchmark for Math is about 22, indicating likely success in first-year college algebra. What constitutes a "good" score depends on your goals – competitive STEM programs might want scores in the high 20s or 30s, while other programs may accept low 20s.
No Penalty for Wrong Answers – Always Guess: Since wrong answers don't hurt your score, never leave questions blank. Even random guessing gives you a 20% chance (current test) or 25% chance (new test) of being correct, which is better than 0% for blank answers.
All Questions Are Worth Equal Points: Every question contributes exactly one raw point, regardless of difficulty. An easy question equals a hard question in scoring. Focus on securing points from easier questions before tackling difficult ones. Skipping a tough question to answer several quicker ones can be strategic.
Know the Averages and Set Goals: The national average Math score is about 19. Scoring 20 puts you above roughly half of test-takers. A 25 is around the 75th percentile, and 30 is around the 93rd percentile. Many colleges consider your Math score specifically, especially for STEM majors.
Consistency and Composite Impact: A low Math score can drag down your composite even if you excel elsewhere. For current ACT, Math is 1/4 of the composite; for the new format, it will be 1/3 without Science. Remember that ACT offers superscoring, allowing you to combine your best section scores across multiple test dates.
Beyond understanding format and content, effective strategy is crucial. Here are key approaches for the ACT Math section:
Pacing and Time Management: With about a minute per question, move quickly through easier questions to save time for harder ones. Consider a first pass answering straightforward questions, then circle back to trickier ones. Skip questions that stump you after 30 seconds. On the current test, aim to reach question 30 by the 30-minute mark. For the enhanced test, target 22-23 questions in 25 minutes. Don't linger on any single problem. Practice full sections to develop timing sense.
Smart Calculator Use: Use calculators for complex calculations or to check work, not for every step. Many questions can be solved faster with logical reasoning than by using a calculator. Know your calculator well and ensure it's on ACT's approved list. Bring fresh batteries. The calculator should save time, not waste it.
Skipping and Guessing: It's fine to skip difficult questions temporarily. Mark them to revisit later. When guessing, eliminate any wrong choices first to improve odds. Always bubble something for every question since there's no wrong-answer penalty. For last-minute guesses, pick a consistent letter. Better yet, guess strategically by back-solving or estimating. Don't let one hard question derail your progress.
Review Your Work (if Time Permits): Use any extra minutes to check your answers, especially for questions you were uncertain about. Scan your answer sheet for misaligned bubbles. Even without finishing completely, revisit skipped questions briefly – you might notice a different approach on second look. A careful review can add valuable points to your score.