How long is the ACT?
How long is the ACT? 2 hours 5 minutes of testing for English, Math and Reading.
ACT without Science
2 h 5 min
131 questions, plus 10 minutes of breaks.
- English35 min
- Math50 min
- Break10 min
- Reading40 min
Your result
2 h 5 min. 131 questions, plus 10 minutes of breaks.
| Part | Minutes | Questions | Per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 35 | 50 | 0:42 |
| Math | 50 | 45 | 1:07 |
| Short break | 10 | ||
| Reading | 40 | 36 | 1:07 |
| Science | 40 | 40 | 1:00 |
| Break before Writing | 5 | ||
| Writing (one essay) | 40 | 1 |
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Questions people ask
How long is the ACT?
2 hours 5 minutes of testing for English, Math and Reading. With the optional Science section it is 2 hours 45 minutes, and Writing adds a 40-minute essay.
How long is each ACT section?
English is 35 minutes for 50 questions, Math 50 minutes for 45, Reading 40 minutes for 36 and Science 40 minutes for 40.
How much time do you get per question on the ACT?
About 42 seconds per English question, 1 minute 7 seconds per Math question, 1 minute 7 seconds per Reading question and 1 minute per Science question.
Is there a break during the ACT?
Yes. There is a short break after Math, and a 5-minute break before the Writing essay if you take it.
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How we work this out
What it does
Pick the ACT you are taking for its length, then run the real section clock.
The enhanced ACT at standard time: English, Math and Reading, with optional Science and Writing.
Method
- Section times and question counts are ACT's: English 50 questions in 35 minutes, Math 45 in 50, Reading 36 in 40, Science 40 in 40.
- The length is the time spent testing. ACT gives a short break after Math and 5 minutes before the 40-minute Writing essay.
- ACT does not print the length of the break after Math, so the timer gives it 10 minutes.
- Pace is each section's time shared evenly across its questions.
Sources
Checked .
- ACT: Enhanced ACT FAQs, English 50 questions in 35 minutes, Math 45 in 50, Reading 36 in 40, Science 40 in 40
- ACT: ACT test day: what to expect, How long is the ACT? (timed multiple-choice portion 2 hours 45 minutes with Science); Breaks (a short break after the second test; 5 minutes before the 40-minute essay)