Test Structure

With 40 minutes for 36 questions, you have approximately 67 seconds per question—about 27% more time per question than the previous version of the test. The Enhanced ACT Reading section features shorter passages than before making the test more manageable within the time constraints.

The section contains multiple parts. Some parts present one longer prose passage, while others contain two shorter prose passages. When two passages appear together, you’ll answer questions about each passage individually as well as questions that ask you to compare or synthesize information from both passages.

Each passage is preceded by a heading that identifies the author and source, and may include background information to provide context. You can complete the passages in any order you prefer—there’s no requirement to follow the presented sequence, so consider starting with passages on topics you find most comfortable.

Passage Types

The Reading section consistently includes four subject areas:

Literary Narrative/Prose Fiction: Excerpts from novels, short stories, memoirs, or personal essays that showcase narrative storytelling and literary craft.

Social Science: Passages from fields such as history, anthropology, psychology, economics, sociology, or political science that explore human behavior, societies, and cultures.

Humanities: Content related to arts, literature, philosophy, architecture, music, or cultural studies that examines human creativity and expression.

Natural Science: Passages covering topics in biology, chemistry, physics, Earth sciences, or related fields that explain scientific concepts and phenomena.

All passages are drawn from published works and represent the complexity and sophistication expected in college-level reading. The test does not require you to memorize facts or vocabulary outside what’s presented in the passages—everything you need to answer the questions is contained within the reading material itself.

Content Categories

The ACT Reading section assesses three main skill areas:

Scoring

The Reading section is scored from 1 to 36 and is one of three sections (along with English and Math) used to calculate your composite ACT score. As a core section, your Reading performance represents one-third of your composite score.

You’ll receive five scores related to Reading: one overall Reading score, three reporting category scores corresponding to the content categories above, and an Understanding Complex Texts indicator that shows your proficiency with sophisticated reading material.

Skills for Success

To excel on the ACT Reading section, you should:

• Practice active reading: Engage with passages by identifying main ideas, noting key details, and understanding the author’s purpose as you read
• Develop efficient reading strategies: Learn to balance speed with comprehension
• Return to the passage: Don’t rely solely on memory—refer back to specific sections when answering questions
• Master evidence-based answering: Every correct answer is supported by information in the passage
• Build stamina: Practice reading complex texts for extended periods to prepare for the test’s demands
• Familiarize yourself with diverse topics: Exposure to various subjects helps you adapt quickly to unfamiliar content

Success Strategies

• Choose your order strategically: Start with passage types you find most comfortable to build confidence and momentum
• Read the passage before the questions: Understanding the overall structure and main ideas first helps you locate specific information more efficiently
• Identify question types: Recognize whether a question asks about specific details, main ideas, inferences, or author’s craft
• Eliminate wrong answers: Often it’s easier to identify what’s definitely wrong than what’s definitely right
• Watch for absolutes: Answer choices with extreme language (always, never, all, none) are often incorrect
• Stay within the passage: Questions do not test rote recall of facts from outside the passage The Princeton Review—everything you need is in the text
• Manage your time: With more time per question than before, use it wisely to read carefully and consider each answer choice
• Don’t leave blanks: There’s no penalty for guessing, so answer every question even if you’re unsure