ACT English and Reading Tips for the Enhanced ACT
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On the enhanced ACT, English has 50 questions in 35 minutes and Reading has 36 questions in 40 minutes. For English, learn the small set of grammar rules that appear again and again and choose the shortest correct answer. For Reading, read each passage once for the main idea, then go back to the text to prove every answer.
English and Reading at a glance
| English | Reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 50 | 36 |
| Time | 35 minutes | 40 minutes |
| What it tests | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and style | Understanding, inference and author’s purpose |
| Counts toward composite | Yes | Yes |
ACT English tips
- Master commas, semicolons, colons and apostrophes. They account for many questions.
- Check subject-verb agreement and verb tense against the rest of the sentence.
- When two answers are both correct, choose the shorter one. ACT rewards concise writing.
- For questions that ask about a passage’s purpose, reread the sentences around the underlined part.
ACT Reading tips
- Skim each passage for the main idea and the author’s attitude before the questions.
- Find the line in the text that supports your answer. If you cannot point to it, it is probably wrong.
- Do your strongest passage type first if timing is tight.
- Watch for answer choices that are true but do not answer the question asked.