How Hard Is the ACT? 4 Key Factors You Need To Know

Taking the ACT poses several challenges. How hard the ACT is for you will depend on several factors, such as the academic level of the content, the demanding time limits, and the ever-changing question formats — always multiple choice, yes, but with different kinds of content, complexity, or problem-solving steps.

This blog post explores the factors that influence how hard the ACT can be, offering insights to help high school students prepare effectively for maximum success. Learn what kinds of difficulties you'll encounter as we decode some real test questions, find out how to approach the four most common features of the ACT that make it so hard, and discover several factors that make it easier, so you're equipped and encouraged to make the most of your ACT journey.

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Is the ACT Hard?

Taking the ACT certainly poses some challenges. If nothing else, the test is hard because you need to tackle questions on four subject-area tests, work under constant time pressure, and persevere through roughly 3 hours of almost continuous test taking… Most people would say that’s hard!

Many variables can also influence how hard the ACT is for each individual, and your test experience could change each time you take (retake) the ACT.

Then there's your grade level...

If you’re taking the ACT as a 10th grader and haven’t studied some of the concepts yet, that’s sure to make it harder.

If you take or retake the test at the end of 11th grade or in early 12th grade, and you’ve been enrolled in rigorous academic courses, then most of the questions will probably be ones you can tackle without too much difficulty.

Here are personal variables likely to influence your own test taking experience:

• Your grade level when you take it
• How comfortable vs. how anxious you get taking timed tests with demanding time limits
• Your familiarity with the questions types, and the amount of test prep and test-taking practice you’ve done prior to taking the test
• Your own level of academic readiness for the wide range of knowledge, skills, and concepts covered on the test

But, what about the ACT questions themselves...? How hard are they?

How Hard Are ACT Questions?

The answer to how hard are are ACT questions will likely depend on three factors:

• Your subject matter knowledge
• Your problem-solving and test-taking aptitudes
• Variations in question types

To really understand this, let’s decode some real ACT test questions in order to unravel what’s hard or not so hard about them…

Decoding ACT Difficulty: Sample Questions

1. An "easy" math question:

What is the value of x when 2x + 3 =3x – 4?

A. –7

B. –⅕

C. 1

D. ⅕

E. 7

Subject matter knowledge: For students who don’t know how to perform basic operations with negative numbers and/or fractions, this problem could prove hard, or could appear hard at first glance.

Test-taking skills: This sample questions offers a good example of when you can use a process-of-elimination approach. Instead of solving for all the possible answers listed, if you can home in on the one correct answer quickly, you can automatically eliminate the other options, saving time and effort.

In this example, if we identify either option C (1), or E (7) as correct, we can simply ignore the harder negative numbers and fractions! (In other words, even if you don't know how to do the calculation with a negative number or a fraction, you actually can still get the right answer!)

Question type: Since this question type is not a word problem and the equation is already written out, it's easier than many other math questions you'll find on the ACT. If you can solve with one of the whole numbers, it's even easier; if not the question may be hard because you have to do the calculation using a fraction, negative number, or negative fraction.

Quick Analysis

I can see from the start that if I find any option among A/B/C/D/E that will solve for x on both sides of the equation, then I can choose that option and be correct.

Not being a math whiz myself, I chose the easiest options first — C. and E., the options with positive whole numbers (no negatives and no fractions).

Option C. was easy to eliminate. Since 7 (option E.) works to balance the equation, I can select E with confidence.

Having found the correct option, I am now able to eliminate the fractions (both positive and negative), and the negative integers altogether, moving on to the next question quickly.

If I had needed to test the other options, however, the question would be harder.

2. A “more difficult” math question:

A. 362

B. 500

C. 800

D. 1,250

E. 1,750

Subject matter knowledge: This problem requires only basic math calculations, despite the fact that the mathematical notations may look complex. However, the only operations required for testing out each of the possible options for the variable D are simple multiplication (D² or D x D; and 4 x D), and simple division (the product of D x D, divided by 25).

Test-taking skills: One test-taking skill that can make this question easier is ignoring distractors. In this example, ignoring distractors involves 1. identifying them (for example, all the stuff about when you can reopen a mine is irrelevant for finding the right answer), 2. ignoring them, 3. homing in on the exact problem-solving step(s) required.

Question type: Like many "word problems" in the math section, this problem could be hard or intimidating if you have limited English proficiency or find the engineering terms perplexing. Another challenge when reading a word problem can simply be understanding exactly what you need to solve for!

Quick Analysis

A challenge with this question is that it could lead the test taker to think that it involves making computations that are relative: that the numbers you put into the equation will vary based on the depth of the mine. After all it says The size of the pump required depends on the depth of the mine. Next the question says the situation in the mine requires a pump that pumps x gallons per minute...

But instead of asking you to identify a specific pump size, at the end of the question you find that it only requires that you to determine how many gallons of water will be produced by the pump in question, using a static formula (provided!) and using the known depth of the mine (= 150 feet).

Therefore, this item is a good example of how word problems and distractors can make an item seem harder than it really is.

Once you get beyond the distractors and the challenges of understanding the word problem, the required math calculations are not very hard:

1. Replace “D feet deep” with “150 feet deep” (D=150).
2. Calculate with an exponent to the second power (D² = 150² = 150 × 150) — simple multiplication of whole numbers that's very quick with a calculator.
3. Divide the product of 150 × 150 by the denominator in the formula (divided by 25) — fairly simple division, easy and quick with a calculator.
4. Subtract 250.

The last step gives you the figure 1,250, so the correct answer is D.

Because this multiple choice question involves four problem-solving steps, it might be hard for some students.

Also, the mathematical notations, some of the engineering language, and the word problem format with distractors, may make the problem seem hard.

When read carefully, however, the problem is not very hard, demanding only fairly basic math computation using a formula that's provided in the question!

3. Some "easy" and "hard" ACT English questions:

In this sample item, several test questions are attached to one long reading passage. We have chosen three of the five questions to decode in order to see what makes them hard or not so hard.

(1) Choose the best answer.

A. NO CHANGE

B. waiting, by the back door,

C. waiting by the back door,

D. waiting by the back door

(2) Choose the best answer.

E. NO CHANGE

F. would sit

G. sitting

H. sat

(3) Choose the best answer.

A. NO CHANGE

B. As my mother’s interest is science, she is

C. My mother’s occupation is that of

D. My mother is

(4) Which choice would most effectively introduce the rest of this paragraph?

E. NO CHANGE

F. There seemed to be no explanation for why Mom ran our household the way she did.

G. Our household didn’t run according to a typical schedule.

H. Mom ran our household in a most spectacular manner.

(5) Choose the best answer.

A. NO CHANGE

B. was defenseless in the face of

C. depended on

D. trusted in

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Subject matter knowledge: To navigate the questions in this sample, you need knowledge of sentence mechanics, especially punctuation conventions and the rules of parallel structure. Other questions attached to this passage test your knowledge of word meaning(s).

Test-taking skills: These examples are a bit different from typical "right" and "wrong" answer options you tackle in the math section. In the English section, as in this example, you may be asked to find the "best" answer among what may be more than one plausible answer. While there can be some actual ambiguity with test items like these, it's infrequent. Still, picking what's "best" can still involve some subjectivity and nuance. The familiarity you gain from test practice can make selecting the "best" answer easier.

Question type: This question type involves questions related to a larger, unified passage. This can pose some challenges: in some instances a question about one section of the passage may require understanding of other sections and/or a lucid understanding of the passage’s larger themes or purpose.

Quick Analysis

Compared to math items, English questions that ask you to pick between competing punctuation options or alternative phrasings or wordings can involve some stylistic choices or preferences. Subject matter knowledge aside, this potential ambiguity can make some English test question types hard, as shown by the analysis that follows.

Questions 1 and 2: When separating items in a series (list format), for example, a writer typically uses commas. In this passage the items in the series are longer phrases, so instead of separating them with a comma, a semicolon is used instead, which is accepted usage. Since one could plausibly use commas in this passage, you might be tempted to select option C. However, changing the punctuation for just one of the instances is not a good option.

The rules of parallel structure require a consistent punctuation for each item in the series. Therefore, the best answer for (1) would be A. NO CHANGE.

The rules of parallel structure also point us to the best answer for question 2. In the passage, the use of past progressive “Was sitting” introduces a sudden change in the dominant pattern.

The other items in the description are paired with a present participle forms of each verb (hip-waders hanging…charts covering…).

Therefore the "best" answer would be G. sitting. By choosing sitting as the best answer, you're preserving the parallel structure (the consistent use of the present participle for each item listed in the description).

Without a strong grasp of English grammar this question could be hard.

But, simply by identifying patterns — without a solid grasp of grammar and verb tenses — it might be easy enough to answer correctly. However, since the use of semicolons for a list structure is far less common than the use of commas, some students may find this question hard.

Question 5: Skipping items 3 and 4 for brevity, let's decide how hard question 5 is.

This question tests understanding of word usage and meaning. It includes some fairly advanced vocabulary, and also tests your understanding of expectations about "good" English style — saying things using clear and simple word choice. Therefore, this test item involves some complexity and nuance that makes it hard.

For example, item 5 introduces the phrase: “everything was subservient to the disposal of the tides” as a way of introducing the description that follows (about how the daily activities in the household depended on the timing of the high and low tides). Unfortunately, because subservient to (option A. NO CHANGE) also means dependent on (option C.), picking the BEST answer is not easy, as both options seem plausible for the context.

Also, while the phrase subservient to seems to be describing a person, not a schedule, making "depended on" a better choice, the larger passage is literary in style, so maybe the wording subservient to is intentional and purposeful, making A. NO CHANGE the "best" answer, better than C. "depended on."

But what about the rest of the larger phrase: subservient to the disposition of the tides? Clearly it would be much simpler and straightforward to just say the daily activities "depended on" the tides, making C. (depended on), clearly the best answer.

However, a student with advanced vocabulary knowledge might recognize a more strictly literary usage of the word disposal that has the meaning order, shape, arrangement, attitude, or disposition (everything was subservient to/depended on the disposition of the tides).

With this usage in mind, the tides are personified just as the household is personified. The tides are described as having shifting arrangements and attitudes (highs and lows that occur at different times of day over longer periods of time); the household is personified as being forced to bend to the will of the waves (subservient to).

Thinking about the passage this way, in the context of its other literary elements, a student may decide A. NO CHANGE is the "best" answer.

Explaining that “disposal” makes no sense in this context (presumably because its more common usage doesn't make sense in this context), ACT indicates option C. dependent on as the "best" answer.

These nuances, the advanced vocabulary, the competing (common vs. literary) usages of the same word (disposal), the element of subjectivity... all of these combine to make sample question #5 a rather hard question!

As you can see, questions cover lots of topics and are sometimes not as free from distractors or ambiguities as you would want them to be.

This is why test practice can really help you build test taking skill, in part through more familiarity with different kinds of multiple choice formats and how distractors (answer options that seem correct or plausible) may make questions more difficult.

4 Key Factors That Make the ACT Hard (and what to do about them)

Now that we've looked closely at specific question elements and formats that can affect how hard a question is, let's look at the 4 most common factors that can make the ACT hard for many students.

1. Time Limits

What's hard?

The stringent time constraints make the ACT harder. It means having little time to identify, find, or think about the right answer or best answer.

If your subject matter knowledge is limited, you may sometimes need more time to answer certain questions correctly, but won’t have much time.

If a test item involves a longer word problem or reading passage, or involves multi-step problem solving, you’ll need to fit this into the limited time you have to answer questions, adding difficulty to the test.

Time limits mean having less time to double check your calculations, problem-solving steps, and answers. When you don’t want to make errors, it’s better to double check your work thoroughly, but on the ACT test you may not have time to review your answers as carefully as you would like to.

Time constraints can create psychological stress that interferes with complex problem solving, adding difficulty to the entire test-taking process.

Here’s a snapshot of just how stringent the time constraints are, for each section of the ACT:

What to do about it?

Build proficiency in subject matter areas you’re weak in: Adding to your proficiency levels for any of the subject matter concepts will also help you answer questions more quickly. Be sure to spend even more time building proficiency in the skills or concepts you struggle with, so your response time is quicker.

Practice: Take practice tests under real testing conditions and time limits in order to acclimate yourself to the time pressure and required pacing.

2. Advanced Subject Matter

What’s hard?

The ACT is designed to test core subject knowledge learned across the high school curriculum. Of course, there's a wide range of content you learn in high school, some concepts are easier, others harder.

Math challenges: The ACT will cover math concepts across various branches of mathematics, including algebra and trigonometry. Some test takers may not know all these concepts. And remember: the ACT does not provide a reference sheet with math formulas, something that adds difficulty to the math section of the ACT.

Scientific reasoning challenges: the science section does not test advanced concepts from specific branches of science It does have challenges that require some rigorous critical thinking however. This can test your ability to read and understand scientific texts and terminology, and require you to apply principles of the scientific method, such as evaluating scientific claims and hypotheses.

English and reading challenges: For English and reading the concepts are typically not as difficult to master, compared to more advanced math concepts, for example. At the same time, reading comprehension questions often involve nuances of grammar, style, and word choice, along with sophisticated vocabulary. These factors can make the language sections hard, especially for those that struggle with reading comprehension or for students with limited English proficiency overall.

What to do about it?

Diagnostic testing: Since “reviewing everything” is not a very practical approach, be more strategic. Take ACT practice tests to identify specific skills on the ACT test that you’re not prepared for. Use this knowledge to decide which skills to target for review in order to get the most improvement.

Spaced repetition: in conjunction with diagnosing your skill gaps, do targeted and intensive review of key concepts over one or two months so you can answer more items correctly on the test. If you need more help, this is a good time to consider getting a one-on-one tutor who can provide instruction and support tailored to your specific academic gaps and goals related to ACT testing.

Test practice and sample questions: Using practice tests or sample questions you find online or in test prep manuals could help you become familiar with question formats and how data are presented. And, as the old adage goes, practice makes perfect (and if not, it certainly doesn't hurt).

3. Word Problems and Complex Reading Passages

What’s hard?

A long passage in the science section or reading section of the ACT often requires you to track, digest, and analyze or evaluate detailed information, as well as applying critical thinking. You may be expected to

• distinguish between facts and opinions
• identify author perspectives or viewpoints
• distill and articulate the main idea, claim, or thesis
• evaluate a claim or the evidence used to support a claim

In different ways, reading comprehension challenges can arise in some math items too, in the case of longer word problems. Sometimes even students with strong math skills may find word problems hard to understand or decode.

What to do about it?

Build your reading stamina: For students who struggle more with reading comprehension and analysis, tackling longer passages can feel like a mental marathon. To build your reading muscle, dive into some advanced reading material across key genres, such as scientific, literary, and argumentative writing.

Advance your reading comprehension level: An effective reading comprehension training regimen typically involves reading both fiction and nonfiction materials at the optimal "challenge level" (slightly above your current reading level). As you do this, be methodic in building your vocabulary as you check your understanding of what you're reading. For faster progress, some students may decide to get further support from a qualified reading tutor.

Metacognitive skills/Decoding Strategies: Applying some tried and true decoding strategies can also help you tackle long passages on the ACT. Break longer passages into smaller chunks and identify the main idea or author's specific purpose each in chunk as you go.

You can also make a mind map to track how elements in a long passage are connected, such as main topic; the main idea, claim, or the author's central purpose; supporting detail or evidence... You can make the mind map mentally as you read or with the aid of scratch paper or blank pages in your test booklet.

Think of it like reverse engineering or outlining in reverse during the reading process!

When reading evidence-based passages, distinguishing between beliefs, opinions, and facts as you read can also be helpful.

4. Test-taking Stress and Anxiety

What’s hard?

Something that can make the ACT hard for test takers, regardless of their academic abilities, are the test environment, time limits, and/or test formats.

From mental strain due to testing with limited breaks, to the anxiety resulting from worries about test performance, or just stress associated with trying to do a challenging task under pressure or in a crowded testing room… All or any of these stressors can make taking the ACT much more difficult.

What to do about it?

Acclimate yourself: Habituating yourself to the test format, time pressures, and testing conditions could help you feel less anxious on testing day. Doing practice tests under realistic conditions and constraints may make it easier for you to reduce anxiety and stress during the real test.

Self-care: Putting excessive strain on yourself when preparing for the test, setting unrealistic expectations for your test preparation and test performance, comparing yourself to others, losing sleep over the test, not practicing self-care in the form of a good routine of rest, sleep, healthy diet, and exercise, and not being well rested on test day are all ways to increase stress, fatigue, and anxiety... and undermine your own efforts!

Avoid these pitfalls by practicing self care.

Finally, Try to keep this one leg of your larger college journey in its proper perspective!

4 Factors That Make the ACT Easier

It's true! There are several factors that should make the ACT easier for many students.

1. Standardization

You can’t fully predict what will be on your ACT test, but with diligent test preparation and practice you'll know a lot about what to expect on testing day.

From one test cycle to the next, the ACT tests roughly the same kinds of concepts and skills using similar test structures. In other words, there’s a reason the ACT is called a standardized test!

2. It's all, always, multiple choice only!

While there are actually many kinds of question formats, all the questions do have one thing in common on every ACT test — they're all multiple choice questions and there's never a penalty for guessing. This means that finding the correct answer may take a moment, but recording your answer is fast and easy — just checking a box. And, for what it’s worth, it also means you don’t always have to know the right answer or find the right answer if you can use a process of elimination to succeed!

3. Calculator allowed for math

The ACT allows the use of a calculator on the math section, which can make it easier and faster. According to ACT.org “students may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator" but with some specified exceptions. ACT.org provides a list of Prohibited Calculators for your convenience.

ACT.org also notes that “a minimum of a scientific calculator is recommended as students may not be able to solve some problems without one.” Also the newer online test offers an online calculator, but bring your own calculator if preferable, in case it has a more familiar feel for you, or it’s easier and faster to use than the online calculator.

4. Abundant Test Prep Resources

Because the ACT is so widely taken and so fully standardized, it’s easy to find lots of resources that can help you prepare. From hardcopy to digital test preparation manuals, to online ACT practice tests, remote or in-person test preparation courses, and professional ACT tutors, students who need and seek help preparing for the ACT will typically have many resources to choose from.

Of all of these, what's best? Test preparation manuals are probably the most popular solution, but if you want a bigger boost, consider taking a test prep class or using a tutor. For the best results, remember that a one-on-one tutor with the right qualifications can be most effective, offering more personalized support — both for leveling up on academic concepts and improving test-taking skills.

Fee Waivers and Low-Cost Test Prep Resources: If you're seeking financial assistance for test registration or test preparation resources, check out the ACT Center for Equity in Learning for more information.

Parents, guardians, and students may also find other organizations offering support, such as A Bridge for Kids.

In addition, Khan Academy has many useful free resources for academic review, but not for ACT test prep specifically.

Putting the ACT Into Perspective: How Hard Is It Really?

The ACT has a fixed and predictable format. This gives students who have time to prepare in advance an advantage: after all it’s not that hard to perform better when you know what to expect.

That said, the ACT also covers lots of ground, assessing a wide range of academic skills with complex test questions that have to be tackled within challenging time limits. These factors make the ACT hard for lots of students.

So what’s the secret to succeeding on the ACT?

Getting started early is key. Leave enough time to do consistent and thorough academic review and practice testing, before the real testing day. Why do this?

One, it's very effective for helping most students boost their performance and elevate their scores.

Second, more competitive ACT scores at top-ranked colleges tend to be in the very highest percentiles. For most students, scoring in this range is hard and a thorough test prep plan is essential, along with doing some retakes as well!

Don't forget that we all have unique strengths, gifts, and challenges. For some students the many factors that make the ACT test hard may be difficult to overcome, even with an earnest test prep effort. This shouldn't be a catastrophe!

There are many ways to build a strong application profile even when you don't achieve the ACT score you were hoping for. Grades, academic rigor, your letters of recommendation, academic enrichment... any of these can help you offset a lower ACT score.

Is the SAT easier than the ACT?

Both the SAT and ACT are equally respected and used by US colleges and universities, and the two tests are deemed to be equally difficult, despite some differences in content and format.

What to know...

• The ACT has a little faster pacing (tighter time limits) than the SAT.
• Neither the ACT nor SAT have a "guessing penalty."
• The ACT uses only multiple choice questions; on the SAT some math items are not multiple choice, requiring you to find and input what you calculate to be the right answer.
• The SAT does not have a science section; the ACT does... But the ACT science section is more about assessing critical thinking and scientific reasoning, not advanced science concepts and beginning in 2025 ACT.org will phase out the science test requirement.
• Some experts hold the belief that statistically it's a little bit easier to get a perfect score on the ACT, compared with the SAT.

To learn more about which test is best for you check out SAT vs. ACT: What's the Difference and Which Should You Take?

More Helpful Crimson Education ACT Resources

What Is the ACT? Key Insights for College Admissions

Take the ACT? 6 Important Reasons Why You Should

What Is a Good ACT Score for Top Universities in 2024?

How Many Times Can You Take the ACT? Tips for Retakes, Score Reporting, Scheduling, and More

Free Online Mini-ACT Practice Test

Online ACT Tutoring

Final Thoughts

If you're exploring the ACT test for the first time, you're likely to find it hard. But don't be discouraged. With even a little bit of test practice and review, most students will quickly find the test gets easier.

Applying to the Ivy League or other top-ranked US colleges and universities? It's definitely important to take the ACT, even for test-optional schools.

You'll also want to aim for a good ACT score, one that ranks in the highest percentiles. For most students that means a good study plan, typically with several months of consistent review and test practice, and possibly support from a tutor.

If your score range isn't as high as you hoped for, remember strong grades, academic rigor, and academic extracurriculars, all of these can help balance a lower ACT score.

Finally, keep a pragmatic perspective and don't forget the bigger picture: test scores are only one component among many in a holistic admissions process, even at elite schools.

If you're wondering how your applicant profile is stacking up, or how you can make your applications stand out — beyond test scores, and even beyond just the academic components — we can help.

Wonder what it's like to work with a real admissions strategist? Crimson Education strategists can provide a free profile analysis, help you pick the best target schools, or support you with timelines and strategic decision making during the application process...

It's easy to arrange a free consultation with a Crimson strategist for any question you have for your college journey right now. Go here now to get started!

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