The ACT Syllabus 2026is designed around skills students generally develop during high school. The current test has English, Mathematics, and Reading as required sections, while Science and Writing are optional.
Students should understand the syllabus before beginning preparation because each section tests a different set of skills.
ACT Syllabus 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | ACT |
| Required Sections | English, Mathematics, Reading |
| Optional Section | Science |
| Optional Writing | Writing |
| English | Grammar, language and rhetorical skills |
| Mathematics | Algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability |
| Reading | Comprehension, reasoning and analysis |
| Science | Data interpretation and scientific reasoning |
| Writing | Argument development and written expression |
ACT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
| Section | Questions | Time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 minutes | Required |
| Mathematics | 45 | 50 minutes | Required |
| Reading | 36 | 40 minutes | Required |
| Science | 40 | 40 minutes | Optional |
| Writing | 1 essay | 40 minutes | Optional |
ACT's current official structure lists English, Math and Reading as required sections, with Science and Writing available as optional add-ons.
ACT English Syllabus
The ACT English syllabus tests a student's ability to revise and edit passages. Major areas include writing organization, language use, grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation and sentence structure.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Production of Writing | Topic development, organization, unity and cohesion |
| Knowledge of Language | Precision, concision, style and tone |
| Conventions of Standard English | Grammar, usage, mechanics and sentence structure |
| Punctuation | Commas, semicolons and other punctuation |
| Sentence Structure | Sentence formation and relationships |
| Rhetorical Skills | Purpose, focus and organization |
ACT English Syllabus Weightage
| Reporting Category | Approximate Share |
|---|---|
| Production of Writing | 38–43% |
| Knowledge of Language | 18–23% |
| Conventions of Standard English | 38–43% |
These percentages are based on ACT's current section description.
ACT Mathematics Syllabus
The ACT Math syllabus covers mathematical skills generally acquired through high school. The current framework includes higher mathematics, essential skills and mathematical modeling.
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Number & Quantity | Numbers, quantities and mathematical relationships |
| Algebra | Expressions, equations and inequalities |
| Functions | Function concepts and representations |
| Geometry | Shapes, measurements and geometric relationships |
| Statistics & Probability | Data analysis, statistics and probability |
| Essential Skills | Rates, proportions, averages and measurement |
| Modeling | Creating and interpreting mathematical models |
ACT Math Syllabus Weightage
| Area | Approximate Share |
|---|---|
| Preparing for Higher Math | 80% |
| Integrating Essential Skills | 20% |
| Modeling | Throughout the section |
ACT identifies Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Statistics & Probability, and Number & Quantity within the higher mathematics category.
ACT Reading Syllabus
The ACT Reading syllabus focuses on reading comprehension and reasoning. Students need to understand central ideas, details, relationships, evidence, author perspective and information from multiple texts.
| Topic | Skills Tested |
|---|---|
| Key Ideas & Details | Main ideas, themes, details and inferences |
| Craft & Structure | Word meaning, structure, purpose and perspective |
| Integration of Knowledge & Ideas | Claims, evidence, reasoning and connections |
| Comparisons | Relationships between passages |
| Cause & Effect | Understanding relationships between ideas |
| Author's Perspective | Voice, purpose and method |
ACT Reading Syllabus Weightage
| Reporting Category | Approximate Share |
|---|---|
| Key Ideas & Details | 44–52% |
| Craft & Structure | 26–33% |
| Integration of Knowledge & Ideas | 19–26% |
The percentages are based on ACT's current Reading test framework.
ACT Science Syllabus
Science is an optional ACT section. It focuses more on interpreting scientific information and reasoning with data than on memorizing large amounts of scientific content.
| Topic | What to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Interpretation of Data | Graphs, tables, diagrams and trends |
| Scientific Investigation | Experimental design, variables and controls |
| Scientific Arguments | Claims, evidence and reasoning |
| Biology | Biological information and experiments |
| Chemistry | Chemical data and relationships |
| Earth & Space Science | Scientific data and observations |
| Physics | Scientific relationships and data |
ACT Science Syllabus Weightage
| Reporting Category | Approximate Share |
|---|---|
| Interpretation of Data | 38–50% |
| Scientific Investigation | 18–32% |
| Evaluating Scientific Arguments & Models with Evidence | 24–38% |
These categories come from ACT's current Science framework.
ACT Writing Syllabus
The ACT Writing test is optional and consists of one essay. Students receive a prompt presenting a complex issue and three perspectives. The task requires them to develop their own position and connect it with one or more perspectives.
| Writing Area | What It Tests |
|---|---|
| Ideas & Analysis | Development of relevant ideas |
| Development & Support | Explanation and examples |
| Organization | Logical structure |
| Language Use & Conventions | Grammar, syntax and word choice |
The ACT Writing score does not affect the Composite score.
ACT Syllabus: Section-Wise Preparation
| Section | Best Preparation Method |
|---|---|
| English | Practise grammar and passage editing |
| Mathematics | Solve topic-wise and timed problems |
| Reading | Practise passages and evidence-based questions |
| Science | Analyse graphs, tables and experiments |
| Writing | Practise structured arguments and essays |
How to Prepare for ACT Syllabus 2026
| Step | Preparation Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the current ACT syllabus |
| 2 | Divide topics into weekly study targets |
| 3 | Start with weaker concepts |
| 4 | Practise official ACT questions |
| 5 | Take timed section tests |
| 6 | Analyse incorrect answers |
| 7 | Revise recurring mistakes |
| 8 | Take full-length practice tests |
ACT's official preparation resources include current-format practice tests and subject-specific guides with practice questions and explanations.