ALL ABOUT THE MATH TEST
In some ways, the Math test of the ACT is the content-heaviest of all the tests: In other words, there are
many problems on the Math that test concepts similar to those you’ve learned in your Math classes. In
fact, ACT makes a big deal about how “curricular” the exam is, claiming that the Math test is “designed to
assess the mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of
grade 12.” They even go so far as to offer a list of how the topics will break down in any given
administration.
But as with all things ACT, these distinctions may not mean a ton to you, the test taker. Nor should they. At
best, this chart should help to drive home one main point:
The Math test of the ACT is roughly half Algebra and half Geometry.
While there’s really no substitute for a solid and complete knowledge of Math fundamentals (and not-so-
fundamentals), there are a number of ways you can still get a really great Math score by being a smart test
taker. You’ve already seen in the Introduction to this book (pages 4–6) some of the pacing strategies that
can help you maximize your scores.
Let’s have a look in the next two chapters at some of the specific ways you can improve your scores in
Algebra and Geometry. As we move through the next two chapters in this book, keep an eye on the
problem number. ACT Math is the one section that is in Order of Difficulty, so the problem numbers offer
a nice gauge of how difficult ACT considers certain concepts and types of Word Problems.
Test Tip
The ACT Math test is in
Order of Difficulty.
Keep an eye on the
question numbers!
