Free ACT Practice Test – Online or Paper PDF, with Explanations

Looking for an ACT practice test? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you prefer practicing online or with a traditional paper test, we’ve got you covered with both an interactive online version and a downloadable PDF. Which is the best choice for you? We recommend that you pick the version that matches how you’ll be taking the actual ACT exam on test day.

Paper PDF Version: Free ACT Practice Test with Answers and Explanations

Magoosh’s full-length ACT sample test has been perfected over the years by Magoosh’s ACT experts, who have decades of experience teaching the ACT exam. Practice tests are an essential part of ACT prep, so this is a great place to start.

To access our practice test PDF (featuring all ACT sections, including the optional essay, as well as the answers and explanations at the end), just enter your email:

Again, on test day, if you’ll be taking the ACT exam on paper, then we do recommend that you practice the test in that format. Why? Ultimately, you want your practice to be as close as possible to the real deal so that you don’t run into any surprises at the test center.

But if you’ll be taking the actual exam on a computer, then head to the section below to practice in that format.

Online Version: Take the Free ACT Practice Test on a Computer

You can take the entire practice test online, or you can sample individual test sections. Either way, enter your email below to head to our ACT practice test start page:

Our ACT practice test is designed to provide an authentic testing experience that mirrors what you’ll face on exam day. Wondering about the time commitment? You’ll tackle 215 questions across English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and the optional Writing section in about 2 hours and 55 minutes (without breaks) or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the optional Writing section.

At the end of your online practice exam, you’ll receive estimated scores for each section as well as your composite score. Plus, you’ll get a detailed breakdown of your strengths and areas for improvement by question type. You can also review each question and its explanation.

Practice Test Options

Pressed for time and can’t commit to the full 3-hour test? No worries! If you have just 35 minutes, you can try out any individual section. Below are the options available on our practice test start page:
 

For the most accurate, test-like experience and ACT practice score estimate, we recommend taking the full test with all its sections. However, completing a single section will still provide valuable insights into your current performance.

Table of Contents

• What to Expect on the ACT Practice Test
• Practice Test Structure and Features
• The English Section
• The Math Section
• The Reading Section
• The Science Section
• The Writing Section (Optional)
• Is the Actual ACT Harder than the ACT Practice Test?
• Next Steps after Taking the Free ACT Practice Test
• Official ACT Practice Tests

What to Expect on the ACT Practice Test

Our free ACT practice test offers more than mere practice questions; it’s a thorough preparation resource designed to get you ready for the real exam. Here’s a detailed overview of what you’ll experience:

Practice Test Structure and Features

Realistic: Our practice test mimics the actual ACT in terms of format, types of questions, and time limits. You’ll go through the exam just as you would on test day, getting accustomed to the pacing and pressure of the official test.

Immediate Results: After finishing the online version of our practice test, you’ll receive your scores along with comprehensive explanations for each question. This helps you understand not only the correct answers but also the reasoning behind them, and why other choices are incorrect. If you’re taking the paper version of the practice exam, you’ll first need to manually tally up your correct answers to determine your final score.

Easy-to-Use Platform (Online Version): A built-in timer keeps you aware of your progress. You can highlight or annotate passages as needed. There’s also an on-screen, basic calculator available during the Math section. (Though, you can also use your own approved calculator, which we recommend if that’s what you’ll be doing on test day.)

The English Section

The English section evaluates your understanding of standard written English, rhetorical skills, and ability to improve the clarity and effectiveness of written text.

Question Types

• Usage and Mechanics: Focus on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage. You’ll be asked to correct grammatical errors and improve sentence clarity.
• Rhetorical Skills: Assess your ability to analyze and improve the organization, style, and tone of passages.

Tips for Success

• Review Grammar Rules: Refresh your knowledge of fundamental grammar and punctuation rules.
• Practice Editing: Regularly practice editing passages to enhance your ability to spot errors and make effective revisions.

The Math Section

The Mathematics section tests your mathematical skills typically acquired in courses up to the beginning of grade 12.

Question Types

• Multiple-Choice Questions: All questions are multiple-choice, with five answer choices each.

Content Areas

• Pre-Algebra: Basic operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, and simple probability.
• Elementary Algebra: Operations with algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities.
• Intermediate Algebra: Quadratic equations, systems of equations, exponents, radicals, and complex numbers.
• Coordinate Geometry: Graphing equations, slope, distance, midpoint, and conic sections.
• Plane Geometry: Properties and relations of plane figures, angles, circles, triangles, and polygons.
• Trigonometry: Trigonometric functions, identities, and solving trigonometric equations.

Tips for Success

• Understand Concepts: Strive to understand the underlying mathematical principles.
• Use Your Calculator Wisely: Familiarize yourself with your calculator’s functions before test day.
• Solve Practice Problems: Regular practice helps reinforce learning and identify areas for improvement.

The Reading Section

The Reading section measures your ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple sources.

About the Passages

• Long Passages: Includes four passages, each approximately 750 words in length.
• Diverse Content: Covers topics in prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science.

Question Types

• Key Ideas and Details: Main ideas, supporting details, and summaries.
• Craft and Structure: Understanding word meanings, analyzing text structure, and determining the author’s purpose.
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: Compare viewpoints, evaluate arguments, or analyze themes.

Tips for Success

• Active Reading: Annotate key points, summarize paragraphs, and predict questions.
• Time Management: Practice pacing yourself—you have about 8 minutes and 45 seconds per passage.

The Science Section

The Science section assesses your interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

About the Passages

• Data Representation: Graphs, tables, and other schematic forms.
• Research Summaries: Descriptions of experiments.
• Conflicting Viewpoints: Multiple related hypotheses or views that are inconsistent with one another.

Question Types

• Interpretation of Data: Analyze and interpret scientific data.
• Scientific Investigation: Understand experimental tools, procedures, and design.
• Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results: Judge the validity of scientific information and hypotheses.

Tips for Success

• Familiarize with Scientific Graphs and Tables: Practice interpreting data in various formats.
• Focus on Data and Experiments: Rely on the information presented rather than prior knowledge.

The Writing Section (Optional)

The Writing section measures your skill in writing a unified, coherent essay on a given topic.

You’ll be presented with a prompt that defines an issue and provides three different perspectives. Your task is to develop your own perspective, analyze the connections between your perspective and at least one other, and support your ideas with logical reasoning and examples.

Tips for Success

• Plan Before You Write: Spend a few minutes outlining your essay.
• Address Multiple Perspectives: Discuss how your viewpoint relates to the provided perspectives.
• Use Clear and Effective Language: Focus on clarity, coherence, and organization.

Is the Actual ACT Harder than the ACT Practice Test?

Many students wonder if the actual ACT is tougher than practice exams. Our practice test is crafted to closely match the difficulty and style of the official test. However, certain factors can make the real exam feel more challenging:

Nervousness on Test Day: Anxiety can affect your performance, leading to mistakes you might not make during practice. It’s important to manage stress effectively.

Testing Environment: The strict rules and unfamiliar setting of the test center can add to the pressure, potentially impacting your concentration.

Time Management: The ACT’s time limits can be a significant challenge, and pacing yourself is essential.

Tips to Overcome These Challenges

Recreate Exam Conditions: Practice under conditions similar to the actual test. Sit in a quiet place, adhere strictly to timing, and eliminate distractions.

Increase Stamina: Regularly take full-length practice tests to build your endurance and get used to the length of the exam.

Stress Management Techniques: Incorporate relaxation methods like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or positive visualization to help reduce anxiety.

Next Steps after Taking the Free ACT Practice Test

Well done on completing the practice test! That’s a crucial step in your preparation journey. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Carefully Review Your Performance

Identify Mistakes: For every question you got wrong, understand why. Was it a lack of knowledge, a careless error, or misreading the question?

Look for Patterns: Notice if there are particular topics or question types that consistently give you trouble. This will help you pinpoint areas that need more attention.

2. Set Clear Objectives

Focus on Weaknesses: Direct your study efforts toward the subjects and skills where you need the most improvement.

Create a Study Plan: Develop a realistic schedule that includes time for reviewing content, practicing questions, and taking additional practice tests. You can also follow one of Magoosh’s ACT study schedules.

3. Continuing Practicing

Monitor Your Progress: Take more ACT practice tests periodically to see how you’re improving.

Refine Your Strategies: Use the insights from each practice session to adjust your approach, whether it’s time management, question prioritization, or problem-solving techniques.

Official ACT Practice Tests

Taking one practice test is great, but you’ll want to take more than one before your exam! We strongly suggest boosting your preparation with official ACT practice exams as well. A free full-length paper version practice test is available on the official ACT website for download. Within the PDF, you’ll find the answer key for that test at the very end. That will help you figure out your ACT scores: the composite score (overall score), as well as your sectional scores.

For purchase, you can buy the Official ACT Prep Guide book. A new version is released pretty much annually, and the latest 2024-2025 book contains 9 practice tests. However, older versions of the book also contain practice tests, so you might be able to find those at a lower price (or even free if your library has a copy). We’ve reviewed some of those past versions here:

• Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022
• The Official ACT Prep Guide 2016-2017
• Real ACT Prep Guide, 3rd Edition

Be aware that the official ACT materials do not contain the in-depth text and video explanations that Magoosh offers for its own questions. Still, those are excellent sources of practice.

A Final Word

Your ACT score has many implications for the college admissions process, which can definitely be intimidating. But taking an ACT practice test is a great first step towards mastering the exam!

For more ACT practice tests and practice questions, along with lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know for the exam, take a look at a Magoosh ACT Premium plan. Happy studying!