No Formula Sheet Provided
Unlike the SAT, the ACT does not give you a reference sheet with formulas. You need to memorize key formulas for area, volume, circles, and trigonometry before test day.
Topic Breakdown
Questions are arranged roughly from easiest to hardest. Here is what you will encounter across the six content areas.
Integrating Essential Skills
~18–19 questions (40–43%)
- Rates, ratios, proportions, and unit conversions
- Percentages, percent change, and applied percent problems
- Averages, weighted averages, and multi-step word problems
- Basic area, perimeter, and volume in applied settings
- Synthesizing skills learned by grade 8 into harder contexts
Number & Quantity
~3–5 questions (7–10%)
- Real and complex number systems
- Properties of integers and rational numbers
- Exponents, roots, and simplifying radicals
- Vectors: magnitude, direction, and addition
- Matrices and 2x2 determinants
Algebra
~6–7 questions (12–15%)
- Linear equations, inequalities, and systems
- Polynomial operations and factoring
- Quadratic equations (formula, factoring, completing the square)
- Radical, rational, and absolute-value equations
- Exponential equations and basic logarithms
Functions
~6–7 questions (12–15%)
- Function notation, composite, and inverse functions
- Linear, quadratic, and polynomial function graphs
- Radical, rational, piecewise, and step functions
- Exponential growth, decay, and logarithmic functions
- Transformations, domain, range, and behavior
Geometry
~6–7 questions (12–15%)
- Triangles, polygons, circles, and 3D solids
- Congruence, similarity, and proportional reasoning
- Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles
- Coordinate geometry: slope, distance, midpoint, circles
- Right-triangle trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA) and basic trig
Statistics & Probability
~4–5 questions (8–12%)
- Mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation
- Interpreting histograms, box plots, and scatter plots
- Bivariate data and lines of best fit
- Probability rules (independent, dependent, compound events)
- Counting principles, permutations, and combinations
Tips & Strategies
Expert advice for ACT Math
Use Your Calculator Wisely
Calculator is allowed for the entire section, but many questions are faster solved mentally. Use it to check, not compute everything.
67 Seconds Per Question
With 45 questions in 50 minutes on the Enhanced ACT, budget about 67 seconds each. Flag difficult questions and return to them.
Plug In Answer Choices
When an algebraic question has numerical answer choices, plug them back into the equation. With 4 answer choices now, start with B or C.
Draw Diagrams
For geometry problems without figures, sketch one. For problems with figures, add measurements and mark equal sides or angles.
Estimate Before Solving
Eliminate obviously wrong answers by estimating. If a triangle side is around 5, answers like 50 or 0.5 are likely wrong.
Know Your Formulas
Unlike the SAT, the ACT does NOT provide a formula reference sheet. Memorize area, volume, and trig formulas beforehand.