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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Knowt ACT Hub?
If you're uncertain about how to approach your ACT prep throughout the year, we have you covered with the Knowt ACT Hub. Made by students, this Hub is composed of ACT study guides, practice tests, resources, and flashcards for every section of the ACT. The main purpose of these resources is to help you understand exactly what's tested and, most importantly, score your best on test day. What makes our ACT Hub exceptional is that the resources are not only free but also crafted by students who've actually taken the ACT, so you get study notes that are easy to follow and cover the topics that really show up on the exam.
Can I make my own ACT study guides on Knowt?
If you're looking to customize your ACT study guides, you can! We recommend starting with the ACT study guides we have on Knowt, making a copy or duplicating the guide, and incorporating any specific tips your teacher or tutor might have highlighted. Consider our ACT study guides as a base you can build on as much as you want to make them your own.
How do I use the ACT resources to get a 36?
Knowt has a variety of ACT resources to support your prep, but it can be confusing to know where to begin. Start with the Ultimate ACT study guide, which gives you a complete overview of everything tested across English, Math, Reading, and Science. Take a quick diagnostic to identify your weakest areas, then head to the specific unit study guides and flashcards to drill those topics. Finish by taking full-length practice tests to put it all together. Click through our ACT study guides to explore them in detail.
What ACT resources does Knowt have?
Knowt offers a bunch of free ACT materials categorized by section and unit. Within each section, you'll discover...
- An “Ultimate Guide” to the ACT
- In-depth unit breakdowns for English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing
- Flashcards for every unit plus high-frequency ACT vocabulary and formulas
- Unlimited full-length practice tests in the real ACT format
- Cram sheets for last-minute review
What is the “Ultimate” ACT Study Guide?
To make your life easier, we've assembled a single Ultimate ACT Study Guide that covers absolutely everything you need to know across every section of the ACT, all in one place, so you can review the entire exam without hunting around.
Where can I find the ACT Flashcards?
The ACT rewards knowing your grammar rules, vocabulary, and core math concepts cold, so dedicating time to the key terms and formulas is super important. By selecting any section, you'll discover an Ultimate collection of flashcards for the ACT, alongside flashcard sets for each individual unit. We offer several ACT flashcard decks covering grammar conventions, high-frequency vocabulary, and math formulas. The most effective way to use these flashcards is to start early and use our spaced repetition mode to drill the information into your brain.
How do I practice for the ACT?
Once you've finished studying with the ACT study guides and flashcards, it's the perfect time to test your knowledge. We harness the power of AI to generate unlimited ACT practice questions and full-length mock exams that match the real format until you've thoroughly mastered the material. The most effective approach is to keep practicing, correct your mistakes, revisit the topics you got wrong using our study guides, and repeat the process!
Who writes the Knowt ACT Study Guides?
Every ACT study guide and flashcard set in the Knowt ACT Hub has been written by real students who've actually taken the ACT, just like YOU! That's how you know you can trust them to focus on what really matters for the exam.
Is ACT prep on Knowt really free?
Yes! Every ACT study guide, flashcard set, and practice question on Knowt is completely free. Our resources are made by students who've taken the test, so they cover what actually shows up on exam day without costing you anything.
Has the ACT changed? What is the Enhanced ACT?
Yes. The ACT rolled out an enhanced version in 2025 that is shorter and gives you more time per question. The biggest change is that the Science section is now optional, your composite score is based only on English, Math, and Reading, and the Math section now has four answer choices instead of five. All of Knowt's ACT resources are built around this current format.
How is the ACT scored?
Each section is scored from 1 to 36, and your composite score is the average of your English, Math, and Reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number, also on a 1 to 36 scale. If you take the optional Science section you'll get a separate Science score plus a STEM score (the average of Math and Science), and the optional Writing test is scored separately from 2 to 12.
Is the ACT Science section optional now?
Yes. On the enhanced ACT, Science is optional and is no longer part of your composite score. If you take it, you receive a separate Science score on the 1 to 36 scale. Some colleges and scholarship programs still like to see a Science score, so check your target schools before deciding to skip it.
What is a good ACT score?
The national average ACT composite is around 19 to 20. A score above 24 is above average, 28 and up is strong, and 30+ is competitive for selective colleges. A 36 is a perfect score. Ultimately, a 'good' score depends on the schools you're applying to, so check the average admitted scores for your target colleges.
How long is the ACT?
The core enhanced ACT (English, Math, and Reading) takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes of testing time. Adding the optional Science section brings it to roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the optional Writing essay adds another 40 minutes on top of that.
How many questions are on the ACT?
The core enhanced ACT has 131 questions: 50 in English, 45 in Math, and 36 in Reading. If you add the optional Science section, that's 40 more questions for a total of 171.
What is on the ACT?
The enhanced ACT has three required sections plus two optional ones, and Knowt has notes and flashcards for every unit:
- English: grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills
- Math: algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability
- Reading: key ideas, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge
- Science (optional): data interpretation, scientific investigation, and evaluating results
- Writing (optional): one essay scored separately from 2 to 12
How should I study for the ACT?
Start with a diagnostic to find your weak spots, then build a study schedule around your test date. Drill your weakest topics using unit flashcards and study guides, and take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to build pacing and stamina. After every practice test, review each mistake so you don't repeat it. Knowt can even build you a custom study schedule from just 10 quick questions.
How long should I study for the ACT?
Most students see strong gains with 1 to 3 months of consistent prep. Aim for roughly 6 to 10 focused hours per week. Shorter timelines can still work if you study efficiently and prioritize your weakest sections, which is exactly what Knowt's custom study schedule helps you do.
Can I use a calculator on the ACT?
Yes. A calculator is permitted on the entire Math section of the ACT, as long as it's an approved model. You won't be allowed to use it on the English, Reading, or Science sections, so make sure you're comfortable working through those without one.
How often is the ACT offered?
In the US, the ACT is typically offered seven times a year: in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July (July is not available in all states). We recommend registering early through ACT.org, since test centers can fill up quickly for popular dates.
How much does the ACT cost?
The ACT registration fee is around $70 without the optional Writing test, and a bit more if you add Writing. Exact fees can change year to year, so check ACT.org for the current pricing. If cost is a barrier, the ACT offers fee waivers for eligible students, so check with your school counselor to see if you qualify.
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
Colleges accept both tests equally, so the best choice comes down to which one fits you better. The ACT moves a bit faster and includes an optional Science section, while the SAT is fully digital and adaptive. The easiest way to decide is to take a practice test of each on Knowt and go with whichever one you score better on and feel more comfortable taking.