ACT Mathematic Test

The Mathematics portion of the ACT consists of 60 questions with a 60-minute time limit. The Mathematics test will result in one overall score and three subscores. The test covers six content areas, including Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Of the 60 questions on the test, 23% will cover Pre-Algebra, 17% will cover Elementary Algebra, 15% will cover Intermediate Algebra, 15% will cover Coordinate Geometry, 23% will cover Plane Geometry, and 7% will cover Trigonometry. Descriptions of each area are provided below.

Pre-Algebra-basic operation using whole numbers, decimals, fractions and integers; square roots; place values; scientific notations; exponents; factors; ratio, proportions, and percents; absolute value; probability; data collection; descriptive statistics.
Elementary Algebra-properties of exponents; properties of square roots; substitution in algebraic expressions; use of factoring to solve quadratic equations; using variables in functional relationships; algebraic operations.
Intermediate Algebra-quadratic formula; rational and radical expressions; absolute value equations; inequalities; functions; sequences and patterns; systems of equations; quadratic inequalities; matrices; roots of polynomials; complex numbers; functions.
Coordinate Geometry-graphing relationships; graphing points, lines, circles, curves, and polynomials; graphing inequalities; slopes; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; conics.
Plane Geometry-plane figures; angles; properties of circles, triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms; transformation; proof techniques; volume; three dimensional applications.
Trigonometry-right angles; trigonometric functions; graphing trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities.