ACT Exam Syllabus 2025: Know Subject-Wise Syllabus & Test Topics

The ACT is one of the tests that many students take when they want to attend a college or a university in the US. The full form of ACT is American College Testing. Colleges or universities check your ACT score to understand if you are ready to study in the US. If you are planning to take the ACT exam in 2025, understanding the ACT exam syllabus 2025 is the first step to learn about. 

In this article, you will learn the ACT exam subject-wise syllabus and the exam pattern.

ACT Exam Syllabus 2025

The ACT exam syllabus 2025 includes four main subjects:

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science

There is also an optional Writing test (an essay) which some colleges may ask for, so do check if you need it

The ACT exam pattern comprises almost entirely multiple-choice questions. You will have to choose the right answer out of four options for every question. The exam is meant to reflect what you have learned in high school, which means you might be familiar with quite a bit of it! 

ACT can be taken up to 5 times a year in most countries, and typically, the best score is the one sent to the colleges.

ACT Section-wise Syllabus

Let’s look at each part of the ACT exam syllabus in detail.

ACT English Syllabus

The English component of the ACT exam syllabus 2025 evaluates your comprehension and practical application of English. You will read brief passages and answer various questions related to them.  

Topics covered:

• Usage/Mechanics: Grammar rules, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Rhetorical Skills: Organising ideas, choosing the right words, and keeping the right tone.
• Strategy: Picking the best way to present ideas.
• Organisation: Arranging sentences and paragraphs in a logical order.
• Style: Choosing words and sentences that fit the purpose and audience.

What you need to do: Find mistakes in sentences, choose the best way to fix them, and improve the overall writing style. There is no need for you to learn all the rules from comprehensive textbooks on grammar. Just pay attention to the rules you were taught in school. The English section consists of 75 questions to be answered in approximately 45 minutes.

Check out our blog on tips to improve your English language skills

ACT Math Syllabus

The Math section of the ACT exam syllabus tests what you have learned in school up to grade 12. You will see questions from different areas of math.

Topics covered:

• Pre-Algebra & Elementary Algebra: Basic math, solving equations, and working with numbers.
• Intermediate Algebra: More complex equations and functions.
• Coordinate Geometry: Graphs, lines, slopes, and distances.
• Plane Geometry: Shapes, angles, area, and volume.
• Trigonometry: Sine, cosine, tangent, and right triangles.

What you need to do: Solve math problems, sometimes using a calculator, and apply math concepts to real-world situations. The Math section consists of 60 questions to be answered in approximately 60 minutes.

ACT Reading Syllabus

The Reading section of the ACT exam syllabus checks how well you understand written passages. You will read different types of texts and answer questions about them.

Topics covered:

• Reading Comprehension: Understanding the main idea, details, and purpose of passages.
• Types of Passages: Fiction, humanities, social studies, and natural sciences.
• Analysing Text: Figuring out the meaning of words, tone, and the author’s point of view.

What you need to do: Read four passages and answer questions about what you read. Some questions ask details, while others ask the big picture. The Reading section consists of 40 questions to be answered in approximately 35 minutes.

ACT Science Syllabus

The Science section of the ACT exam syllabus is not just about facts. It checks how well you can read and understand scientific information, like graphs, tables, and experiments.

Topics covered:

• Data Representation: Reading graphs, charts, and tables.
• Research Summaries: Understanding experiments and their results.
• Conflicting Viewpoints: Comparing different scientists’ opinions.
• Subjects Included: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Astronomy.

What you need to do: Use logic and reasoning to answer questions about scientific information, even if you don’t know all the facts. The Science section consists of 40 questions to be answered in approximately 35 minutes.

ACT Writing (Optional)

The Writing section in the ACT exam syllabus is an essay. It is optional, but some colleges may ask for it. You will read a prompt and write an essay giving your opinion.

What you need to do:

• Ideas and Analysis: Show you understand the issue.
• Development and Support: Give reasons and examples for your opinion.
• Organisation: Make your essay clear and easy to follow.
• Language Use: Use good grammar and vocabulary.

Did you know you can also study in the US without SAT or ACT?

Conclusion

From English and math to reading and science, all subjects taught in school are included in the ACT Exam Syllabus 2025. Knowing the syllabus and practising every section will make you feel prepared for the exam. Also, remembering the exam syllabus is the initial step toward achieving a commendable score and earning a spot in your preferred college.