New ACT Elements

​Old ACT vs. New ACT

​English:
75 questions is now 50
45 minutes is now 35
You have 35 minutes to answer 50 questions instead of 45 minutes to answer 75
Reading:
40 questions is now 36
35 minutes is now 40
You have 40 minutes to answer 36 questions instead of 35 minutes to answer 40
Science is now optional

​Conventions of Standard English (Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation)
Usage and mechanics: This is the grammar and punctuation component of the test.
Sentence structure: Questions assess your ability to identify and correct issues like run-on sentences, fragments, and subordinate clauses.
Punctuation: This includes questions on commas, apostrophes, and periods. Grammar: This covers areas like subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, and adjective/adverb usage. or phrase, or to eliminate redundant information.

​Elements of ACT English

​Production of Writing (Rhetorical Skills) Strategy:
These questions ask you to add, delete, or revise sentences to achieve a specific goal.
Organization: You will be tested on how well a passage is structured and how to improve logical flow, often by rearranging sentences or adding transitional phrases.
Unity and cohesion: You need to ensure that sentences and paragraphs logically fit together and contribute to the overall purpose of the passage.
Knowledge of Language
Style and tone: This category focuses on word choice, clarity, and maintaining a consistent style and tone throughout the writing.
Precision and conciseness: You may be asked to choose the most precise word

​Elements of ACT English

​Elements of ACT Reading

​Passage types (1 literary, 3 informational)

Prose Fiction: Excerpts from novels and short stories, focusing on character and setting.

Social Science: Passages on topics like psychology or economics.

Humanities: Essays and memoirs on subjects like art and music.

Natural Science: Passages covering biology, chemistry, physics, etc..

​Skills assessed
Key Ideas and Details: Locating and interpreting specific information and main ideas.
Craft and Structure: Understanding vocabulary in context, author's tone, and purpose.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: Drawing generalizations, making comparisons, and identifying cause-effect relationships.
Visual and Quantitative Information: Interpreting information presented in charts or graphs (though this is a minor component).

​Elements of ACT Reading