ACT study guide and practice test PDFs

Free official ACT study guide PDFs

• Preparing for the ACT Test: practice test 1, with explanations of each section, a writing prompt and a scoring key.
• ACT Practice Tests 2, 3 and 4: each a downloadable test booklet with its own scoring key.
• ACT’s free eBooks: section-by-section strategy guides with practice questions.

The Official ACT Prep Guide 2026-2027

Published by Wiley with ACT, it includes four full practice tests that reflect the current, shorter ACT, each with the optional writing test, plus online access. Retail price is about $40 in print, and the ebook is about $25. There are also separate official guides for English, math, reading and science.

Released tests and answer keys

Beyond the four free practice tests, the way to see real ACT questions after the fact is ACT My Answer Key, which used to be called Test Information Release (TIR). For the October, December, April and June national dates, it gives you a digital copy of the scored questions from your own test, your answers, the answer key and the score conversion table, plus the writing prompt if you took it.

As of October 2026, it costs $36 if you order when you register and $44 after the test, and you can order it up to 6 months after your test date. It arrives in MyACT a few weeks after your scores. Fee waivers cover it if you qualify.

How to use a practice test well

1. Take it in one sitting with real timing: 35 minutes English, 50 math, 40 reading, and 40 science if you’re adding it.
2. Use a permitted calculator only on the math section.
3. Score it with the official scoring key to get your 1 to 36 scores.
4. Go back through every question you missed or guessed, and work out why.
5. Spend your next week of study on the weakest section, then take another test.

ACT’s own test-day tips

• Read each question and every answer choice before you pick. If you’re stuck, choose the best option and move on.
• Answer every question. There’s no penalty for guessing.
• Check the time now and then. A watch is allowed if it has no alarm and stays on your desk.
• On paper, keep the answer sheet right next to the test booklet so you can mark answers quickly.
• If you finish a test early, go back and check your answers.

Watch out for old material

Practice tests from before 2025 are longer, have five answer choices in math and count science in the Composite. They’re still good practice for the skills, but time yourself with the current limits and question counts.