How long is the ACT? The three required sections take 2 hours and 5 minutes, and the optional science and writing tests add 40 minutes each. Here’s the timing for every section, the full test-day schedule, and how much time you get with accommodations.
How Long Is Each ACT Section?
| Section | Questions (scored) | Time | Time per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 (40) | 35 minutes | about 42 seconds |
| Math | 45 (41) | 50 minutes | about 67 seconds |
| Reading | 36 (27) | 40 minutes | about 67 seconds |
| Science (optional) | 40 (34) | 40 minutes | about 60 seconds |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes | — |
Each multiple-choice section includes some unlabeled field-test questions that don’t count toward your score – that is why the question and scored-question numbers differ. You can’t tell which ones they are, so treat every question as if it counts. Every multiple-choice question has four answer choices.
How Long Is the ACT in Total?
| What you take | Testing time | Ends online* | Ends on paper* |
|---|---|---|---|
| English, Math, Reading | 125 minutes (2 hr 5 min) | 11:05 a.m. | 11:25 a.m. |
| + Science | 165 minutes (2 hr 45 min) | 11:55 a.m. | 12:15 p.m. |
| + Writing | 165 minutes (2 hr 45 min) | 12:00 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
| + Science and Writing | 205 minutes (3 hr 25 min) | 1:00 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
*ACT’s published end times for national test dates with an 8:00 a.m. report time, from its test day page. Your composite score only needs the first 125 minutes; science and writing are reported separately.
What an ACT Test Day Looks Like
- 8:00 a.m. – report to your test center. Use the time on your admission ticket. If you’re late, you won’t be admitted, so allow extra time if you don’t know the building.
- Check-in and directions. Testing begins once everyone who arrived by 8:00 is checked in and seated.
- English, Math and Reading. The three required sections, with a short break after Math. You can have snacks and drinks outside the test room during the break.
- Dismissal or optional sections. If you aren’t taking science or writing, you’re done. Everyone else stays for a 40-minute session: science if you signed up for it, otherwise writing.
- Writing, if you’re taking it. You get five minutes to relax and prepare, then the 40-minute essay.
If you test at school through a state or district program, the day can look different – schools can give science and writing on a separate day from the three core sections. Bring the right things on the day with our ACT checklist for test day.
How Much Shorter Is the New ACT?
| Legacy ACT | Enhanced ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Required sections | English, Math, Reading, Science | English, Math, Reading |
| Questions for a composite score | 215 | 131 |
| Testing time for a composite score | 175 minutes | 125 minutes |
| Average time per question | about 49 seconds | about 57 seconds |
| English | 75 questions, 45 minutes | 50 questions, 35 minutes |
| Math | 60 questions, 60 minutes | 45 questions, 50 minutes |
| Reading | 40 questions, 35 minutes | 36 questions, 40 minutes |
| Science | 40 questions, 35 minutes | 40 questions, 40 minutes (optional) |
Most of the time saved comes from science becoming optional. You also get about nine seconds more per question on average, and the separate unscored “fifth test” that used to add 20 minutes to national test days is gone – its trial questions are now mixed into the regular sections instead. The writing test didn’t change. Source: ACT’s design framework for the enhanced ACT.
How Long Is the ACT With Extended Time?
Students approved for one-and-one-half time get these limits on national test dates, per ACT’s Preparing for the ACT Test 2026–2027 guide:
| Section | Standard time | With 1.5× time |
|---|---|---|
| English | 35 minutes | 52 minutes 30 seconds |
| Math | 50 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Reading | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Science (optional) | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
Should You Add Science or Writing?
Neither counts toward your composite, and each adds 40 minutes to your morning. Registration is $70 for English, Math and Reading, plus $5 for science and $25 for writing (ACT fees). Take them if a college, program or scholarship on your list asks for them – some do. Science gets you a STEM score; writing gets you an ELA score. More on how those work, and what counts as a good ACT writing score, in our ACT scores guide.
How to Pace Yourself on the ACT
English is the tightest section at roughly 42 seconds per question, so it rewards moving steadily and not stalling on one item. Math and Reading give you over a minute each. On every section, answer the questions you’re sure of first, then go back – and never leave one blank, since there are four answer choices and no penalty for guessing.
The best way to learn the pace is to sit full-length practice tests under real timing. Start with these free ACT practice tests, build them into an ACT study plan, and if you want structured help, compare the best ACT prep courses.
How Long Is the ACT? FAQ
How long is the ACT with science?
165 minutes of testing: 125 minutes for English, Math and Reading plus 40 minutes for science. On a national test date that finishes at 11:55 a.m. online or 12:15 p.m. on paper.
How long is the ACT with writing?
The writing test adds 40 minutes. English, Math, Reading and writing is 165 minutes of testing; add science as well and it is 205 minutes, finishing at 1:00 p.m. online or 1:30 p.m. on paper.
Is there a break during the ACT?
Yes. There’s a short break after the second test (Math), when you can have snacks and drinks outside the test room. If you take writing, you also get five minutes before the essay.
What time does the ACT end?
On national test dates you report by 8:00 a.m. ACT’s published end times are 11:05 a.m. online or 11:25 a.m. on paper for English, Math and Reading; 11:55 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. with science; 12:00 or 12:30 p.m. with writing; and 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. with both.
How long is the ACT with extended time?
With one-and-one-half time, English is 52 minutes 30 seconds, Math 75 minutes and Reading 60 minutes – 187.5 minutes for the three required sections. Science and writing are 60 minutes each.