2024l 2025
Preparing for
the ACT® Test
Testing with Alternate Formats
What’s Inside
y Information about preparing for the ACT test
with ACT-authorized alternate format
accommodations
y Information about the multiple-choice and
writing sections
y Test-taking strategies
y What to expect on test day
www.act.org
, Contents
A Message to Students 3
Overview of the ACT 4
ACT is committed to representing the diversity
of society in all its aspects, including race, General Preparation 4
ethnicity, and gender. Questions, passages, and
writing prompts are chosen to reflect a range Test-Taking Strategies 5
of cultures and are written to not disadvantage
any particular group of examinees. ACT
employs extensive reviews and statistical Prohibited Behavior at
procedures to ensure the fairness of test
the Test Center 8
materials.
ACT conducts research and periodically
updates tests to provide test content that Content of the ACT Sections 9
reflects classroom instruction and continues
to be a relevant predictor of college and career Taking the Practice Tests 18
readiness. There may be subtle differences
between the ACT practice test in this document
and the test you take on test day.
ACT endorses the Code of Fair Testing Practices
in Education and the Code of Professional
Responsibilities in Educational Measurement,
which guide the conduct of those involved
in educational testing. ACT is committed to
ensuring that each of its testing programs
upholds the guidelines in each Code. You
may locate copies of these Codes through the
following organizations:
y Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education:
American Psychological Association (https://
www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/fair-
testing.pdf)
y Code of Professional Responsibilities in
Educational Measurement: National Council
on Measurement in Education (https://
www.ncme.org/resources-publications/
professional-learning/library)
NOTE: This document is covered by federal
copyright laws that prohibit the reproduction
of the test questions without the prior express,
written permission of ACT, Inc. No portion of
this document may be copied or distributed
without written permission of ACT.
© 2024 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. QU00003.CJ15298
2
, A Message to Students
This document is an important first step as you get ready for college and your
career. The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to
gain admission to colleges and universities. If you have not already done so, order
your free alterate format practice tests at: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/
unsecured/documents/Alt-Format-Practice-Tests-Order.pdf. Screen reader users
can access the practice test at: https://practice-two.actdigitalservices.org/. Click
on “Guest access” to access the tests.
The information here is for students with professionally diagnosed and
documented disabilities who plan to test with alternate test formats (large print,
braille, pre-recorded audio, or screen reader software). If you plan to test with
a regular-print test booklet, use Preparing for the ACT Test, which includes
information on taking the test as well as the four multiple-choice tests, a writing
prompt, and scoring keys.
This document offers general test-taking strategies, describes test content,
provides specific tips for each test, and lets you know what to expect on test
day. Also a writing test is included (which may be read to you if you require oral
presentation) and scoring instructions. If you have been authorized for an oral
presentation of the ACT, the entire test may be read to you. Braille, pre-recorded
audio, screen reader software, and reader accommodations will use the triple
time row in the timing table.
Read this document carefully and take the practice tests well before test day.
That way, you will be familiar with the test subjects, what they measure, and
strategies you can use to do your best on test day.
For more information on ACT’s Policy for Requesting Accommodations for
the ACT Test, the process of requesting test accommodations on the ACT, and
resources for students and parents, see www.act.org/the-act/accomms.
You may also want to consider The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by
Kaplan® to learn test content and strategies in a virtual classroom. To view all of
our test preparation options, go to www.act.org/the-act/testprep.
NOTE: The word “read” in this document also refers to any means authorized
for you to test with oral presentation—listening to pre‑recorded audio or
having someone read the tests to you from a script.
Additional Screen Reader Resources
To access screen reader compatible practice tests go to https://practice.
actdigitalservices.org/tao/Main/login.
Only JAWS or NVDA screen readers are compatible. Chrome should be used
for English, reading, and writing. Firefox should be used for mathematics and
science. To access the graphs and charts in the mathematics and science
sections, you will need tactile graphics in your preferred braille code. You can
request these free paper based supplemental materials using the order form
link above.
3
Preparing for
the ACT® Test
Testing with Alternate Formats
What’s Inside
y Information about preparing for the ACT test
with ACT-authorized alternate format
accommodations
y Information about the multiple-choice and
writing sections
y Test-taking strategies
y What to expect on test day
www.act.org
, Contents
A Message to Students 3
Overview of the ACT 4
ACT is committed to representing the diversity
of society in all its aspects, including race, General Preparation 4
ethnicity, and gender. Questions, passages, and
writing prompts are chosen to reflect a range Test-Taking Strategies 5
of cultures and are written to not disadvantage
any particular group of examinees. ACT
employs extensive reviews and statistical Prohibited Behavior at
procedures to ensure the fairness of test
the Test Center 8
materials.
ACT conducts research and periodically
updates tests to provide test content that Content of the ACT Sections 9
reflects classroom instruction and continues
to be a relevant predictor of college and career Taking the Practice Tests 18
readiness. There may be subtle differences
between the ACT practice test in this document
and the test you take on test day.
ACT endorses the Code of Fair Testing Practices
in Education and the Code of Professional
Responsibilities in Educational Measurement,
which guide the conduct of those involved
in educational testing. ACT is committed to
ensuring that each of its testing programs
upholds the guidelines in each Code. You
may locate copies of these Codes through the
following organizations:
y Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education:
American Psychological Association (https://
www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/fair-
testing.pdf)
y Code of Professional Responsibilities in
Educational Measurement: National Council
on Measurement in Education (https://
www.ncme.org/resources-publications/
professional-learning/library)
NOTE: This document is covered by federal
copyright laws that prohibit the reproduction
of the test questions without the prior express,
written permission of ACT, Inc. No portion of
this document may be copied or distributed
without written permission of ACT.
© 2024 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. QU00003.CJ15298
2
, A Message to Students
This document is an important first step as you get ready for college and your
career. The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to
gain admission to colleges and universities. If you have not already done so, order
your free alterate format practice tests at: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/
unsecured/documents/Alt-Format-Practice-Tests-Order.pdf. Screen reader users
can access the practice test at: https://practice-two.actdigitalservices.org/. Click
on “Guest access” to access the tests.
The information here is for students with professionally diagnosed and
documented disabilities who plan to test with alternate test formats (large print,
braille, pre-recorded audio, or screen reader software). If you plan to test with
a regular-print test booklet, use Preparing for the ACT Test, which includes
information on taking the test as well as the four multiple-choice tests, a writing
prompt, and scoring keys.
This document offers general test-taking strategies, describes test content,
provides specific tips for each test, and lets you know what to expect on test
day. Also a writing test is included (which may be read to you if you require oral
presentation) and scoring instructions. If you have been authorized for an oral
presentation of the ACT, the entire test may be read to you. Braille, pre-recorded
audio, screen reader software, and reader accommodations will use the triple
time row in the timing table.
Read this document carefully and take the practice tests well before test day.
That way, you will be familiar with the test subjects, what they measure, and
strategies you can use to do your best on test day.
For more information on ACT’s Policy for Requesting Accommodations for
the ACT Test, the process of requesting test accommodations on the ACT, and
resources for students and parents, see www.act.org/the-act/accomms.
You may also want to consider The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by
Kaplan® to learn test content and strategies in a virtual classroom. To view all of
our test preparation options, go to www.act.org/the-act/testprep.
NOTE: The word “read” in this document also refers to any means authorized
for you to test with oral presentation—listening to pre‑recorded audio or
having someone read the tests to you from a script.
Additional Screen Reader Resources
To access screen reader compatible practice tests go to https://practice.
actdigitalservices.org/tao/Main/login.
Only JAWS or NVDA screen readers are compatible. Chrome should be used
for English, reading, and writing. Firefox should be used for mathematics and
science. To access the graphs and charts in the mathematics and science
sections, you will need tactile graphics in your preferred braille code. You can
request these free paper based supplemental materials using the order form
link above.
3
