The best way to prepare for the ACT in 2026 is to learn the Enhanced ACT format, take timed full-length practice tests, and spend most of your study time on the question types where you lose the most points. The ACT got shorter and changed its structure in 2025, so advice written before then may not match the test you'll take. This guide covers what changed, five study tips, and five test-day strategies that work on the current exam.
Close to 1.4 million students in the class of 2025 took the ACT, about 36% of all U.S. high school graduates. The national average composite was 19.4, and only 30% of ACT-tested graduates met at least three of ACT's four college readiness benchmarks (ACT, class of 2025 data). The gap between an average score and a great one usually comes down to preparation, not talent.
What changed on the ACT (and why older prep tips may be outdated)
The Enhanced ACT rolled out on online national test dates in April 2025, on paper national test dates in September 2025, and for state and district testing in spring 2026. Here's the current format, per ACT:
| Section | Questions | Time | Average time per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 minutes | about 42 seconds |
| Math | 45 | 50 minutes | about 67 seconds |
| Reading | 36 | 40 minutes | about 67 seconds |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40 minutes | 60 seconds |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes | N/A |
The biggest changes to know:
- The core test (English, math, reading) takes 125 minutes, about two hours. Adding science brings it to 165 minutes.
- Science is optional and no longer counts toward your composite score. Your composite is the average of English, math, and reading. If you take science, you also get a separate STEM score that combines science and math.
- Math questions now have four answer choices instead of five.
- On the digital ACT, the Desmos graphing calculator is built into the math section. Learn more in our ACT Desmos calculator guide.
Before you register, check whether the colleges on your list want a science or STEM score. For a full breakdown of each section, see the ultimate ACT 2026 guide.
5 ACT test prep tips to help you ace the test
Good preparation does more than raise your score. When the format and pacing feel familiar, test day feels a lot less stressful.
Study with quality, up-to-date material
There are plenty of ACT resources out there, and not all of them reflect the current test. Many books and free tests online still use the legacy format, with longer sections and five math answer choices. Start with official ACT material, then add resources built for the Enhanced ACT. Our list of recommended ACT prep books can help you sort through print options.
Acely is a preferred test prep provider of the ACT®, with 20 full-length practice tests built from official ACT questions and updated to the Enhanced ACT format.
Take timed, full-length practice tests
Full-length practice tests are the closest thing to test day. They build pacing and stamina, and they show you where you're losing points. Take your first one as a baseline before you start studying, then retake one every few weeks under real timing. Review every missed question and ask whether it was a content gap, a pacing problem, or a misread.
You can take a free full-length ACT practice test on Acely, no credit card required, and get a score report that shows your results by section. For more options, see our guide to the best ACT prep options in 2026.
Memorize key formulas, but focus on understanding
Some math content has to be memorized, like the area of a circle or the slope formula. Understanding why a formula works helps you remember it under pressure and apply it when the numbers or setup change. If you know why the square root of 25 is 5, you can work through the square root of 49 or 121 without memorizing each one.
Practice your pacing for each section
The ACT moves faster than the SAT. On the digital SAT, students get about 71 seconds per reading and writing question and about 95 seconds per math question (College Board). On the Enhanced ACT, English gives you about 42 seconds per question, and math and reading give you about 67.
To build pacing:
- Time every practice section, not just full tests.
- Set checkpoints. In English, aim to be about halfway through the questions with about 17 minutes left.
- Skip and flag questions that are taking too long, then come back if time allows.
Spend extra time on your hardest topics
It's natural to avoid the topics that feel hardest, but those are usually where your biggest score gains are. Use your practice test results to find two or three weak areas, like conic sections in ACT math or comma rules in English, and drill them before your next full test. Short, consistent sessions work better than cramming. Even 40 minutes a day adds up over a few weeks.
5 strategies to use during the ACT
- Answer the easy questions first. You don't have to go in order. Answer what you know, flag the rest, and come back. Every question is worth the same.
- Cross off wrong answers. With four answer choices on every math question now, eliminating even one wrong option improves your odds.
- Read passages for the main idea. In reading, skim each paragraph for its main point so you know where to look when a question asks for details.
- If you take science, focus on the data. Most science questions test how you read graphs, tables, and experiments, not memorized facts. Look at the figures carefully and go straight to the data when a question points you there.
- Never leave a question blank. The ACT has no penalty for wrong answers, so a guess is always better than a blank (Acely ACT guide).
