ACT Basics:
The ACT (No writing) consists of 4 multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus
Writing includes the 4 multiple-choice tests and a Writing Test
Test
English
Science
75 questions
Mathematics 60 questions
Reading 40 questions
40 questions
45 minutes
60 minutes
35 minutes
35 minutes
Content
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Measures reading comprehension.
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Optional
Writing Test 1 prompt 30 minutes
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school
English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
An Average score of 21 is a score that will safely get you accepted in MnSCU Colleges and Universities.
However, the higher your average ACT scores, the more money you will earn in the form of scholarships.
For example, at MSU, Moorhead there are automatic freshman scholarships:
University: $4,000: Top half graduating class & 24-25 ACT
Achievement: $5,000: Top half graduating class & 26-27 ACT
Dragon: $6,000: Top half graduating class & 28+ ACT
At St. Cloud State University there are automatic freshman scholarships:
$750 - $1000: 23 ACT or 3.30 to 3.39 High School GPA
$750 - $1000: 24 ACT or 3.40 to 3.49 High School GPA
$2000 - $2500: 31 ACT
At MSU Mankato there are automatic freshman scholarships:
$1000: 24-27 ACT and 3.0 GPA
$2500: 28-36 and 3.0 GPA
The Benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that indicates your readiness for college level work by the time you graduate from high school. The scores assume that your academic achievement continues as you complete each academic year. The college courses that you will be ready for include English composition, college algebra, introductory social science courses, and biology.

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are:
College
Course
ACT
Subject-Area
Test
ACT
Explore ® Benchmark
Grade 8
ACT
Explore ® Benchmark
Grade 9
ACT
Plan ® Benchmark
The
ACT ® Benchmark
14 15 18 English
Composition
English
College
Algebra
13
Mathematics 17
Social
Sciences
Reading 16
18
17
19
18
22
22
Biology Science 18 19 20 23
1.
A car averages 27 miles per gallon. If gas costs $4.04 per gallon, which of the following is the closest to how much the gas would cost for this car to travel 2,727 typical miles? a.
$44.44 b.
$109.08 c.
$118.80 d.
$408.04 e.
$444.40
2.
What is the value of X when 2x + 3 = 3x – 4? a.
-7 b.
-1/5 c.
1 d.
1/5 e.
7
3.
A typical high school student consumes 67.5 pounds of sugar per year. As part of a new nutrition plan, each member of a track team plans to lower the sugar they consume by at least 20% for the coming year. Assuming each track member had consumed sugar at the level of a typical high school student and will adhere to this plan for the coming year, what is the maximum number of pounds of sugar to be consumed by each track member in the coming year? a.
14 b.
44 c.
48 d.
54 e.
60
4.
What is the degree measure of the acute angle formed by the hands of a 12-hour clock that reads exactly 1 o’clock? a.
15° b.
30° c.
45° d.
60° e.
72°

D. is the correct answer. If you divide 2,727 miles by 27 miles per gallon you will get the number of gallons: = 101.
Then, multiply the number of gallons by the cost per gallon: 101(4.04) = 408.04. This gives the cost of gas for this car to travel 2,727 typical miles.
E. is the correct response. You can solve this problem by first subtracting 2 x from each side of the equation to get 3 = x –
4. Then add 4 to each side, so x = 7.
D. is the correct answer. For each member of the track team to consume 20% less sugar, the track member will consume
100% – 20% = 80% of the level of a typical high school student. 80% of 67.5 = 0.80(67.5) = 54.
B. You are correct. One complete rotation of a clock hand is 360°, and there are 12 hourly markings on a clock. When the hands read exactly 1 o’clock, the degree measure of the angle formed by the clock hands is 1/12 of a complete rotation, or 1/12(360°) = 30°