ACT Math Resources

Your best resources for preparing for the ACT Math test are individual practice problems & full-length practice tests, along with ACT math formula pages. This page contains facts, tips and links that you may find useful.

About the ACT Math Test

The ACT Math test consists of 60 problems in 60 minutes, so you have an average of one minute per problem. Some problems are designed to take less than a minute to work, while others take more than a minute.
Certain types of calculators are allowed on the ACT Math test, be sure to check the list: ACT calculator information
Writing directly on the exam booklet is allowed. The margins in the exam booklet are your "scratch" paper for the ACT Math test.
The problems are arranged from easiest to hardest, according to how likely the test-writers think it is that you'll miss any given problem. Usually, the problems near the beginning of the ACT Math test will take you less time to work than the problems near the end.
Try to spend 1 minute or less on each problem the first time through the ACT Math test. With this strategy you should have some time left when you reach the end of the test. Go back to problems you’ve skipped or want to check again.
You don't lose any points for guessing on the ACT Math test, so be sure to mark an answer for every question. This means you'll have to keep an eye on the clock since you'll be required to put down your pencil immediately when the time expires.

The First 20 Problems on the ACT Math Test

You'll see a lot of Pre-Algebra and Algebra problems in the first 20 problems on the ACT Math Test, along with a few problems from the other areas. These problems should be easier to work than the later problems.

ACT Study Guide Tip: Try to spend less than one minute on most of the first 20 problem on the ACT Math Test so that you can accumulate some extra seconds for later, harder problems.

ACT Math Problems 21-40

The middle 20 ACT Math problems will be more challenging than the first 20 problems. This part of the test will include a few Pre-Algebra problems, along with plenty of Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, and Plane Geometry problems. You may also see one or two of the easier Trig problems in this middle section.

ACT Study Guide Tip: Continue to try to spend one minute or less on these medium-level ACT Math Problems, but you may come across some that take longer than a minute. It is OK to spend a few extra seconds, but try to avoid getting bogged down on a single problem.

ACT Math Problems 41-60

These are the most challenging problems on the ACT Math Test, and here's where the seconds you've saved up will be needed. These problems can include any of the ACT Math topics. Most of the Trig problems will fall in this final third of the test since these problems are answered incorrectly by many students.

ACT Study Guide Tip: Use any extra time you have wisely. It is much better to skip a problem and return to it if you have time, than to waste several minutes trying to work a single problem. In those extra minutes, you might be able to gain more points by double checking several problems rather than spending all your extra time on a single problem.

ACT Math Formulas & Tips pages

MathOnTime offers one-page summaries of ACT Math Formulas & Tips for Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry and Trigonometry. Most of the ACT Formulas & Tips pages are FREE.

ACT Math Individual Practice Problems

ACT Math practice problems (FREE). These video ACT questions have a built in one-minute timer to give you a chance to try the problem before viewing the solution. The average time per problem on the ACT math test is one minute, but some problems will take less than a minute and others will take more. Practicing with a one-minute timer helps you become more aware of how long you are actually spending on individual ACT math problems, so that you can develop a good pace for your ACT test day.

ACT Math Practice Tests

ACT Math Made Easy. This is a complete (60 problems) video ACT Math practice test with a one-minute problem-timer and detailed video solutions. This guided practice test helps you perfect your pacing for the ACT Math test.
A free ACT Math practice test with solutions is available on the ACT website in the document Preparing for the ACT.
The Real ACT, 3rd edition, is a book/CD that contains five complete ACT practice tests. (Note: older versions of this book contain 3 practice tests).

Math Concepts Covered by the ACT Test

Pre-Algebra Topics (14 problems)

Fourteen problems on the ACT Math Test cover topics you learned before your first Algebra class, such as percent, absolute value, powers, square roots, simple probability, simple statistics (mean, median, mode), and interpreting charts, tables & graphs. Many of these problems show up near the beginning of the ACT Mathematics test, but you may see one or two later in the test.

Elementary Algebra Topics (10 problems)

Ten ACT Math problems cover early Algebra subjects such as functions, substitution, polynomials, using factoring to solve quadratic equations (Ex. x²+x-2=0), and linear inequalities with one variable (Ex. 3x-1<0).

Intermediate Algebra Topics (9 problems)

Nine ACT Math problems cover more advanced Algebra, such as using the quadratic formula, radical expressions, absolute value equations and inequalities (Ex. |x-1|>10), sequences, systems of equations, quadratic inequalities, functions, matrices, roots of polynomials, complex numbers, and logs.

Coordinate Geometry Topics (9 problems)

Nine problems on the ACT Math test cover Coordinate Geometry concepts such as relating equations & graphs, finding the slope of a line, parallel & perpendicular lines, distance, midpoints, and conic sections.
ACT Math Formula & Tips page for Coordinate Geometry

Plane Geometry Topics (14 problems)

Fourteen ACT Math problems cover Geometry concepts such as triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, circles, proof techniques, simple 3-D geometry, measurement concepts (perimeter, area, volume), translations, rotations, and reflections.
ACT Math Formulas & Tips page for Plane Geometry (FREE)

Trigonometry Topics (4 problems)

Four problems on the ACT cover Trigonometry concepts, such as trig ratios defined on right triangles, graphing trig functions (sine, cosine, tangent), values & properties of trig functions, and trig identities. These problems tend to show up near the end of the ACT Mathematics test since they are answered incorrectly more often than earlier problems. Some students taking the ACT have not had trigonometry, and may not even try to work these four problems.
ACT Math Formulas & Tips page for Trigonometry

These ACT Math test resources should provide a starting point for your preparations for this test. Remember, the best way to prepare is to work many ACT math practice problems and practice tests. And be sure to go through the solutions after working individual problems or a complete ACT practice test.