Lock in Q1–30 first
The first 30 questions are your highest-value territory. Most students can answer Q1–20 in under 20 minutes if they don't second-guess. Don't leave easy points on the table.
60 questions · 60 minutes · Calculator allowed
Master ACT Math — Free
Pre-algebra through trigonometry. 60 questions in 60 minutes. Questions ramp in difficulty — easy early points, hard problems at the end. No formula sheet. Every formula must be memorized.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT provides no formula sheet.
You must memorize every formula — area, volume, trig ratios, quadratic formula, and more.
This site includes a full formula memory card set.
ACT-aligned content
WCAG 2.1 AA
Calculator strategies included
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The most important ACT Math strategy
ACT Math difficulty increases with question number
Questions 1–20 are genuinely easy — straightforward arithmetic, basic algebra. Questions 41–60 are hard multi-step problems involving functions, geometry, and trig.
Critical strategy: never get stuck on question 5 when question 15 is worth the same 1 point. If a question takes more than 60 seconds, mark it, move forward, and come back only if time allows. The easiest path to a higher score is not missing easy questions at the start while chasing hard ones at the end.
Know the format before you open question 1
The structure of ACT Math is fixed — use it to your strategic advantage.
60
questions in 60 minutes — 1 minute per question target
5
answer choices per question (unlike SAT's 4)
0
formula sheet provided — everything must be memorized
1–36
Math subscore, weighted equally with English & Reading
11 topics · 5 units
Every ACT Math topic, covered
Click any topic to start the lesson. Each lesson covers the theory, worked examples, and common traps.
Unit 1 — Number & Pre-Algebra (~27% of Math score)
Unit 2 — Algebra (~14% of Math score)
Unit 3 — Functions (~14% of Math score)
Unit 4 — Geometry (~14% of Math score)
Unit 5 — Statistics & Integrating Essential Skills (~31% of Math score)
Try it now — no account needed
A real ACT Math-style question
This one contains a classic ACT trap. Can you avoid it?
Topic 1.1 — Integers, Fractions & Percents
Difficulty: Medium · Common Trap Question
A store reduces a jacket's price by 20%, then reduces the sale price by an additional 10%. What is the overall percent decrease from the original price?
No formula sheet on test day
Formulas you must memorize
The ACT gives you nothing. These are the highest-yield formulas to know cold before test day.
Quadratic Formula
x = (−b ± √(b²−4ac)) / 2a
For ax² + bx + c = 0. Appears in Q40–60 range.
Distance Formula
d = √((x₂−x₁)² + (y₂−y₁)²)
Between two coordinate points.
Slope of a Line
m = (y₂−y₁) / (x₂−x₁)
Also: slope-intercept y = mx + b.
Circle: Area & Circumference
A = πr² · C = 2πr
Memorize both — the ACT uses either.
Pythagorean Theorem
a² + b² = c²
Also know 3-4-5, 5-12-13, 8-15-17 triples.
Trig Ratios (SOH-CAH-TOA)
sin θ = opp/hyp · cos θ = adj/hyp · tan θ = opp/adj
Right triangle only. Know unit circle for Q55+.
Percent Change
% change = (new − old) / old × 100
Do NOT add percent decreases — multiply them.
Compound Interest
A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
P = principal, r = rate, n = compounds/year, t = years.
Triangle Area
A = ½ × base × height
Height is always perpendicular to base.
Sum of Angles
Triangle: 180° · Polygon: (n−2)×180°
n = number of sides. Quadrilateral = 360°.
Score strategy
How to attack ACT Math efficiently
Plug in numbers on algebra
When a question has variables in the answer choices, substitute a simple number (2, 3, 5). Evaluate each answer choice. This technique solves 15–20% of all ACT algebra questions faster than algebraic manipulation.
Use the answer choices
For many Q30–45 problems, working backwards from the answer choices (especially C, the middle value) is faster than setting up the algebra. This is called "back-solving."
Guess on Q55–60 if needed
The ACT has no penalty for wrong answers. If you are running low on time, guess on the last 5 questions. Statistically, random guessing on 5 questions nets ~1 correct answer. Never leave blanks.
Ready to raise your Math score?
Start with Unit 1 — the pre-algebra and percent questions that appear in Q1–20 are the fastest points available.