ACT syllabus

ACT exam syllabus

If your dream is to pursue a bachelor's degree in the United States, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the updated ACT syllabus and pattern. A clear understanding of the structure and concepts prepares you for the exam but also assists in crafting an effective study plan.

ACT Exam Pattern

Below are crucial details about the ACT test that every prospective high school graduate should be aware of:

ACT subjects

ACT English section

Usage/Mechanics Section Overview:

• This section constitutes 52-55% of the test, evaluating students on their application of grammar rules, usage, and mechanics to identify errors in the text.
• Punctuation: Assessing internal and 'end of sentence' punctuation, focusing on punctuation's impact on meaning.
• Grammar and Usage: Testing knowledge of pronoun-antecedent agreement, subject-verb agreement, modifiers and the modified word, pronoun case, verb formation, idiomatic usage, and comparative/superlative adjectives and adverbs.
• Sentence Structure: Evaluating understanding of clause relationships, construction shifts, and modifier placement

Rhetorical Skills Section Overview:

• This section carries a weightage of 15-17%, gauging students' proficiency in correct usage concerning tone and consistency.
• Strategy: Assessing the ability to develop a topic by selecting appropriate expressions based on the essay's purpose and audience. It also evaluates the impact of adding, deleting, or revising supporting material and testing statement relevance in context.
• Organization: Testing organizational skills, including how well ideas are arranged and effectively selecting opening, transitional, and closing sentences.
• Style: Evaluating the choice of words and images, management of sentence elements, maintenance of style and tone, and the avoidance of ambiguous pronouns.

ACT Maths Syllabus

Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Section Overview:

• This section constitutes 57-60% of the test, assessing the candidate's grasp of fundamental concepts in these areas.
• Pre-Algebra: Questions cover operations with whole numbers, decimals, place value; understanding of exponents; square roots and approximations, fractions; linear equations in one variable; integers; scientific notation; factors, ratio, proportion, data interpretation; and descriptive statistics.
• Elementary Algebra: Candidates tackle questions involving quadratic equations, binomial multiplication, solving linear equations and inequalities, substitution, and expression simplification.

Plane Geometry/Trigonometry Section Overview:

• This section carries a weightage of 12-15%, emphasizing the application of knowledge in geometry and trigonometry.
• Plane Geometry:Questions encompass 3-D geometry, triangles, parallelograms, lines and angles, volume, polygons, and properties of circles, triangles, and parallelograms.
• Trigonometry: Candidates encounter questions on trigonometric identities and graphs, graphing trigonometric functions triangles, and solving trigonometric equations

presenting information through tables, charts, and graphs.

ACT Science Syllabus

The science section comprises 40 multiple-choice questions distributed across 7 passages. These passages cover topics in:

• ACT biology
• physics,
• chemistry,
• earth sciences

presenting information through tables, charts, and graphs.

Data Representation:

This segment features graphic and tabular material akin to content found in scientific journals. Questions in this format assess skills such as interpreting graphs, understanding the information presented in tables, and analyzing scatterplots.

Research Summaries:

Providing experiment descriptions, this segment emphasizes questions about experiment design and result explanation. Test-takers engage with content that evaluates their comprehension of experimental processes and outcomes.

Conflicting Viewpoints:

This segment introduces hypotheses or views grounded in differing premises or incomplete data, creating inconsistencies. Questions in this category center around analyzing, understanding, and comparing alternative hypotheses and assessing critical thinking skills.

Writing Section (Optional)

Effective essay writing remains crucial for success in the ACT exam. In this section, a brief passage is provided alongside three distinct viewpoints. Test-takers must analyze these viewpoints, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide well-reasoned commentary.

How can I prepare for the ACT based on the syllabus? Preparation for the ACT involves reviewing content covered in each section, taking practice tests, and familiarizing yourself with the test format. Many resources, including study guides and online practice tests, are available.

Are there any changes expected in the ACT syllabus in the near future? Any potential changes to the ACT syllabus would be communicated by the official ACT organization. It's advisable to stay updated by regularly checking the official ACT website for announcements

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the ACT Science section structured in the syllabus?

The ACT Science section includes passages related to physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences. Questions are based on data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.

Is the Writing section mandatory as per the ACT syllabus?

No, the Writing section is optional. Some colleges may require it, so it's essential to check the admission requirements of the institutions you're interested in.

Can I use a calculator in all sections of the ACT as per the syllabus?

No, the use of a calculator is allowed only in the Math section of the ACT. It is not permitted in the other sections.

How can I prepare for the ACT based on the syllabus?

Preparation for the ACT involves reviewing content covered in each section, taking practice tests, and familiarizing yourself with the test format. Many resources, including study guides and online practice tests, are available.

Are there any changes expected in the ACT syllabus in the near future?

Any potential changes to the ACT syllabus would be communicated by the official ACT organization. It's advisable to stay updated by regularly checking the official ACT website for announcements