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ACT English: what it tests and how to practice

ACT English gives you 50 questions in 35 minutes, and 40 of them are scored. You act as the editor of several short essays that ACT writes itself: most questions point to an underlined or highlighted part of a passage and offer other ways to write it, often including “No Change.” It’s one of the three sections that make up your Composite.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What the ACT English section tests

Grammar and punctuation sit in Conventions of Standard English, a little under half the section. The rest is about writing choices: what a sentence adds, where it belongs, and which word says it best.

Reporting categoryShare of the testWhat it asks
Production of Writing38-43%The purpose and focus of a text, whether a part meets its goal, and organization, unity and flow, including introductions and conclusions
Knowledge of Language18-23%Precise and concise word choice, and a consistent style and tone
Conventions of Standard English38-43%Sentence structure, punctuation and usage

How ACT English questions work

  • The questions sit alongside each essay, not after it.
  • Some ask about an underlined or highlighted part, some about a whole paragraph, and some about the whole essay. Questions about the whole essay come at the end of the passage.
  • A question can be marked by a number in a box or an asterisk in brackets instead of underlining.
  • Some ask for the choice that is NOT or LEAST acceptable, so read the question stem carefully.

How do you practice for ACT English?

Start with ACT’s own advice for the section:

  • Notice each passage’s style and tone, and read the sentences around an underlined part before you answer.
  • Compare the answer choices with each other. Many questions test more than one thing, and a choice can fix one error while creating another.
  • Decide how you’d write it yourself. If the original is best, pick “No Change.”
  • Reread the sentence with your answer in place before you move on.

For practice, use the English quizzes on ACT’s QuizMe, the English sections of ACT’s four free practice tests, and ACT’s Official English Guide if you want a book. ACT’s English benchmark is 18.

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks →Free ACT practice test →

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OverviewThe ACT testFormat and lengthACT test format: how many questions, how long, and what’s on itScoringHow ACT test scores are calculatedRegistrationACT test registration: how to sign upCostHow much does the ACT cost? Test fees and waiversTest dayACT test day: what to bring and what happensOnline testCan you take the ACT test online?ResultsACT test results dates: when scores come out and how to get themPercentilesACT test score distribution: percentiles and averages by stateACT vs SATSAT or ACT: which test is better for you?Writing testThe ACT writing test: prompts, rubric and whether to take itAccommodationsACT test extended time and other accommodationsPreACTPreACT: the pre-ACT test for grades 8 to 10Test datesACT test dates for 2026-27MathACT math: what’s on it and how to practiceReadingACT reading: passages, question types and practiceScienceThe ACT science test: what’s on it and whether to take itStrategiesACT test strategies and tipsStudy guideACT study guide and practice test PDFsPractice testFree ACT practice testWhere to learnACT prep: where to study for the ACTStudy plannerStudy for the ACT with a plan that fits your date
Sources: ACT and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.