How Long Does the ACT Last?

Passing college entrance examinations is a critical first step in fulfilling the requirements for college applications. You have a choice between the SAT and the ACT. You undoubtedly want to know how long you'll be confined to your workstation on test day if you've decided the ACT is more your style.

Continue reading to find out more about the ACT, including how long it will take you to finish, how many questions there are, and other details.

How Long Does the ACT Last?

Taking the ACT without the writing section will take you little under three hours total, not including breaks and waiting times. The ACT recommends that students arrive on test day no later than 8 a.m. You should anticipate your test day to be roughly 4.5 hours from arrival to departure since students who are not taking the writing portion of the exam are routinely excused at around 12:35 p.m.

How Long is Each Section of the ACT?

Minus the essay you would write if you decide to take the ACT test with writing, the entire test has 215 questions. Here's a breakdown showing how many questions are in each section.  

Section:

English

Number of Questions: 75

Minutes Per Section: 45

Mathematics

Number of Questions: 60

Minutes Per Section: 60

Reading

Number of Questions: 40

Minutes Per Section: 35

Science

Number of Questions: 40

Minutes Per Section: 35

The ACT English section has the most questions for you to answer. Given this information, you have 52 seconds, on average, to complete each question across all sections. However, some questions may be more straightforward or complex, taking more or less time.  

How Long Is the ACT Test with Writing?

Now that you have a breakdown of the ACT’s timing, you’re probably how long the ACT is with writing. If you decide to try your hand at the optional essay question, be prepared to add 40 minutes to your time.  

If you're feeling burnt out after spending three hours trailblazing through multiple-choice questions, you'll have the opportunity to relax and sharpen your pencils before taking a stab at the writing section. Students who decide to take the writing section are typically dismissed at approximately 1:35 p.m.

Whether or not you choose to do the writing section is entirely up to you and your school list. Most colleges, including many of the country's top-ranked schools, don't require the writing test. However, it's best to do adequate college research and ensure no school on your list requires the writing test before you opt out.  

How Long Is the ACT With Extended Time?

So, how much longer is the ACT with extended time if you've requested accommodations? Through National Extended Time, students are allowed 50% more time on each ACT section.  

This means that a test-taker who is granted National Extended Time will have:  

• 70 minutes to complete English  
• 90 minutes to complete Math
• 55 minutes to complete Reading
• 55 minutes to complete Science  

If you take the writing test with extended time, you'll have 60 minutes to complete one essay. This is a relatively new addition to the ACT's policy.  

Before that, students had five hours total to self-pace through the ACT. However, studies found, "Having to pace themselves requires an additional demand of them beyond what is required of examinees testing with standard time or other types of extended time." This finding was what inspired ACT to change the policy in 2018.  

ACT Timing Tips

To answer 215 questions in the allotted time, you’ll need to implement some test-taking strategies to keep yourself on track. You can save time on the test with these ACT timing tips:  

Skimming passages: Try reading every passage's first and last sentence and skimming the rest first. There will be times you need to read more carefully, but this is a great way to save time. After all, the ACT requires a lot of reading.  

Cross out answers you know aren't correct: This can help you focus your thinking and help you get to the correct answer sooner.  

Start with more straightforward questions: No rule says you have to complete all questions in order. Feel free to leave the more complex questions that require more time for the end.  

Move on if you’re stuck: This common ACT pitfall can lead to lower scores and more frustration. If you feel you’re spending too much time on a question, move on and return to it later.  

This can seem like a lot of content to cover in three short hours; however, learning more about the ACT’s format and honing your skills can help you navigate the test with speed and accuracy.  

Final Thoughts

The ACT test is a long and challenging test that requires your focus for at least three hours. Now that you know how long the ACT is with and without the writing test and with extended time, you can plan accordingly as you study.

Remember, the ACT is a marathon, not a sprint. Build endurance and focus using practice tests, well-tailored study strategies, and schedules. With enough preparation and endurance, you’ll be ready to ace the ACT in no time!

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