Short answer: To do well on ACT math, fill gaps in your basic math concepts, memorize the formulas you’ll need (there’s no reference sheet), practice with real ACT questions under time pressure, analyze every mistake you make, and build fast mental math. The math section gives you 50 minutes for 45 questions, so pacing matters as much as content.
Although there’s no shortcut to building a strong foundation in math, understanding how the ACT math section works, how it’s scored, and where to focus your attention can help you score higher. Here are five ACT math tips for getting a great score.
Key points
- No calculus needed: ACT math covers material through the beginning of 12th grade.
- Memorize the formulas: You won’t get a formula reference sheet on test day.
- Practice real questions: Official ACT questions show you exactly what to expect.
- Watch the clock: The math section is 45 questions in 50 minutes.
- Study your mistakes: Sort each wrong answer by why you missed it, then fix that cause.
- Build mental math: Instant math facts free up time and working memory.
1. Have you mastered your basic math concepts?
The ACT math section only covers math through the beginning of 12th grade, so you don’t need to have mastered calculus to do well. However, if you have gaps in your math knowledge, your first step should be to fill them.
The math itself isn’t that difficult on the ACT, but you need to thoroughly understand the underlying concepts. The questions are designed to trick you, and you’ll have a hard time focusing if your working memory is overloaded with trying to remember how to solve a quadratic equation.
If you’ve forgotten significant math topics, look into taking a refresher course or working with a tutor to hone your skills. Our list of math topics covered on the ACT is a good checklist.
2. Do you know the formulas you’ll need?
You won’t have a reference guide for ACT math formulas, so you’ll have to memorize the formulas you will likely need. Fortunately, you probably already have many of these formulas committed to memory from your previous math courses. Make sure you understand when you should use each one and can apply it quickly.
Tutor tip: For the formulas you don’t know, use a spaced repetition flashcard program such as Anki. If you’re more comfortable with physical flashcards, use index cards and the Leitner method to accomplish the same thing.
3. Are you getting real test practice?
There’s no better way to prepare for the ACT math test than by using real practice questions. Answering questions from practice tests will give you a good idea of what to expect on test day.
Practice time management
One of the most challenging aspects of the math portion of the ACT is the pace. There are 45 questions (41 of them scored), and you have 50 minutes to answer them, giving you a little over a minute per question.
Doing a lot of ACT math practice questions will help you develop an effective strategy for managing your time. With practice, you can quickly identify easy and difficult questions and decide which ones require extra time.
Don’t be afraid to skip harder questions
In general, the questions on the ACT math test start off easy and progressively get more difficult. The harder questions are not worth any more than the easy questions, so you’ll be better off skipping one hard question if it gives you time to get the correct answer on two or more easier questions.
Work on real ACT practice questions
During your practice test sessions, work on real ACT math questions. Using questions from previous ACTs will give you experience with the types of questions and answer choices you’ll encounter on the real test. You won’t be surprised by trick math questions because you’ll know what to look for.
Familiarize yourself with the different types of questions
If you work enough ACT practice math questions, you’ll start to see a pattern in the types of questions. ACT sorts math questions into two main categories: Preparing for Higher Math and Integrating Essential Skills.
| ACT reporting category | Approximate share of the math test |
|---|---|
| Preparing for Higher Math (total) | 80% |
| Number and Quantity | 10 to 12% |
| Algebra | 17 to 20% |
| Functions | 17 to 20% |
| Geometry | 17 to 20% |
| Statistics and Probability | 12 to 15% |
| Integrating Essential Skills | 20% |
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4. Are you reviewing and analyzing your mistakes?
Analyzing your mistakes is one of the best methods for learning how to get better at math. After you finish an ACT math practice test, look at your wrong answers. Review each one and categorize it according to why you missed it:
- Conceptual errors: if you missed a problem because you didn’t know how to answer, determine what concepts you don’t understand and work on those.
- Time management: if you run out of time, focus on answering the easiest questions first and practice taking timed ACT math tests to increase your speed.
- Careless mistakes: take note of any careless errors so you can avoid repeating them.
Then develop a study plan based on your errors.
“Too many students never learn to find their own mistakes. Error analysis is essential to growth.”
Jake Gerhardt, Alexander Tutoring math tutor
5. How fast is your mental math?
Being proficient in mental math will give you an edge on the ACT math test. Ideally, you should be able to answer 40 simple basic math facts in one minute.
Practically, this means you shouldn’t have to think about the answer to a math fact; it should just pop into your head. Achieving this level of automaticity during your ACT math prep will make it easier to solve problems quickly on the real test. If you have to stop and think about the answer to 7 × 8, you’ll get bogged down in the problem.
In addition to math fact automaticity, it’s a good idea to commit fraction, decimal, and percent equivalents to memory, such as ¼ = 0.25 = 25%.
Tutor tip: Mental math isn’t all about memorization. Work on flexibility with numbers: if you need to subtract 39 from 123, think of it as 124 − 40. The problem becomes much easier, whether you solve it in your head or on paper.
How can online tutoring help with ACT math?
At Alexander Tutoring, our experts work with all types of students to develop an individualized study plan for ACT math success. Whether you’re looking to tweak your test-taking strategies or you need to close gaps in your learning, we can help you succeed. Learn more about our online tutoring services.
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Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the ACT math section?
The ACT math section has 45 questions, 41 of them scored, and you have 50 minutes to answer them. That works out to a little over a minute per question.
Is calculus on the ACT math test?
No. ACT math covers material taught up to the beginning of 12th grade, so you don’t need calculus. You do need a solid understanding of algebra, functions, geometry, and statistics and probability.
Do you get a formula sheet on the ACT?
No. You won’t have a reference guide for ACT math formulas, so memorize the ones you are likely to need. Spaced repetition flashcards, such as Anki or the Leitner method with index cards, work well.
Should you skip hard questions on ACT math?
Often, yes. Harder questions are worth no more than easy ones, so skipping one hard question to correctly answer two or more easier ones is a good trade. You can come back to it if time allows.
How do you review ACT math practice tests?
Go through every wrong answer and label why you missed it: a concept you didn’t know, running out of time, or a careless error. Then build your study plan around those categories.
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