ACT Exam Syllabus
ACT Exam Syllabus
The American College Testing (ACT) is a test that all high school students must undertake if they wish to study an Undergraduate course abroad. The test is more prevalent in US universities, and all non-native speakers of the English language can take the test. You can register for the exam both online and offline. The test fee can come to around USD 63 (INR 4835), and the score is valid for five years. To pass the test, the average score should be 21. Though it was a paper-based test earlier, it is now an internet-based test outside the USA. The score is measured on a scale from 0-36. The syllabus includes subjects like Reading, Mathematics, English, Science, and an optional writing exam. The test duration is 2 hours and 55 minutes without the writing section and 40 minutes if the writing section is added. You can get the result of the same within 2-8 weeks.
ACT Exam Syllabus: Highlights
The ACT exam consists of four compulsory sections and one optional section, as mentioned above. A highlight of the entire test is summarised in the table below.
|
Section |
Type of Questions |
Topics Covered |
Question Format |
|
English |
Numerous essays or passages |
Punctuation, English usage, sentence formation & structure |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Science |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), tables, graphs, diagrams, scientific phenomena questions |
Earth/Space Sciences, Biology, Chemistry |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Mathematics |
Charts, graphs, formula based etc. |
Number & quantity, function, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability etc. |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Reading |
Short prose or long passage |
Logical reasoning, interpretation, inferences & conclusion etc. |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Writing |
Essay writing |
- |
Descriptive |
ACT English Syllabus
The English test will have four or five essays or passages, and multiple-choice questions will be asked based on them. You will be asked to choose the right answer. There can be options of “No Error” as well. It analyses your ability to omit, edit, revise and rephrase. There are three sections to this test, and they are as follows.
|
Sections |
Weightage |
Description |
|
Production of Writing |
29% - 32% |
Tests the ability to analyse the language |
|
Proficiency of Language |
13% - 19% |
Analyses fluency in English |
|
Conventions of Standard English |
51% - 56% |
Tests grammar, sentence formation, spelling etc. |
ACT Mathematics Syllabus
The questions here will be similar to the ones for your grade 12. They will be straightforward yet a bit complex. It tests your problem-solving skills, fluency and ability to understand connections.
The following table will help you get an idea of the same:
|
Sections |
Weightage |
Description |
|
Essential Skills |
40% - 43% |
Problem-solving like average, median, area, volume, rates & percentage etc. |
|
Higher Mathematics |
57% - 60% |
Basic topics like algebra, statistics, probability, geometry etc. |
The topics you might have to cover for the Higher Mathematics section are described below.
|
Main Topic |
Sub Topics |
|
Number and Quantity (7% - 10%) |
Rational exponents, integers, vectors, matrices |
|
Statistics & Probability (8% - 12%) |
Data collection methods, probabilities, sample space & distributions |
|
Algebra (12% - 15%) |
Linear, radical, polynomial, simple matrix equations, graphs |
|
Geometry (12% - 15%) |
Surface area, circle, volume, trigonometric ratios, shapes |
|
Functions (12% - 15%) |
Radical, polynomial, logarithmic functions, notations, definitions |
ACT Reading Syllabus
In the reading section, you will come across long and short prose passages. The passages will have several pieces of information, and you will have to identify them. The section analyses your logical reasoning and interpretation skills. Each passage will have multiple-choice questions as well. The table below gives you the sections and the weightage that they have.
|
Sections |
Weightage |
Description |
|
Integration of Knowledge & Ideas |
13% - 18% |
Understand the passage & differentiate between opinions and facts |
|
Structure & Craft |
25% - 30% |
Identify the meaning of words, analyse the text structure etc. |
|
Significant Details & Ideas |
55% - 60% |
Identify the central theme & idea of the passage and draw a conclusion |
ACT Science Syllabus
The questions asked here will test your reasoning, interpretation and problem-solving skills. The questions will be based on actual scientific scenarios from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geology etc.
The sectional division of the test is detailed in the table below.
|
Sections |
Weightage |
Description |
|
Scientific Investigation |
20% - 30% |
It includes comparisons, extensions, modifications, controls etc. |
|
Experimental Models, Inferences & Results |
25% - 35% |
It includes predictions based on scientific phenomena, judgement of scientific information etc. |
|
Interpretation of Data |
45% - 55% |
Analysis & manipulation of tables, diagrams, graphs, scientific data etc. |
ACT Writing Syllabus
This optional section tests your writing skills in English. You will be given any topic related to a complex societal, economic or political problem. You should write an essay on the same and explain the issue with the possible causes, effects and solutions. Your writing will be judged on the following grounds.
- Organisation: Your ability to organise all your ideas into a form that is easy and engaging at the same time.
- Analysis and Ideas: Your views on the topic will be tested, and how well you analyse the issue will also be taken into account.
- Support and Development: How well you present your ideas with the help of diagrams, graphics, and other related information will be tested here.
- Language Usage: Your language-using capabilities will be analysed here; you have to avoid grammatical and spelling errors and write in a tone that is easy to understand and clear at the same time.
