The PreACT is typically administered to high school students during their sophomore year. In addition to predicting a student's performance on the ACT, the PreACT test measures academic achievement in English, math, reading, and science. Read on for more specific details about the PreACT.
PreACT Sections & Question Types
The PreACT is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The breakdown for each section is as follows:
| Section |
# of Questions & Time Limit |
Content/Skills Covered |
Question Types |
|
English
|
45 questions in 30 min.
|
grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, style
|
four-choice, multiple-choice usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills questions; section includes four prose passages with questions specific to each passage
|
|
Math
|
36 questions in 40 min.
|
pre-algebra, first-year plane geometry
|
five-choice, multiple-choice questions
|
|
Reading
|
25 questions in 30 min.
|
reading comprehension
|
four-choice, multiple-choice main idea, detail-oriented, vocab-in-context, and inference questions; section includes three prose passages (social sciences, humanities, and prose fiction) with questions specific to each passage
|
|
Science
|
30 questions in 30 min.
|
interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving
|
four-choice, multiple-choice data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints questions
|
|
TOTAL
|
136 questions in 2 hours, 10 min.
|
For more information on the PreACT, go to the PreACT Knowledge Hub on the ACT Website.
PreACT Test Scoring
As with the ACT, students earn one point for each question answered correctly on the PreACT test. Students neither lose nor gain points for questions skipped or answered incorrectly. For each section, the number of questions answered correctly creates a student's raw score. Each raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 1 to 35 (35 is the highest possible score). The four scaled scores are averaged to produce a student's composite score. For example, if a student scores an 18 English, 20 Math, 20 Reading, and 18 Science, the student's composite score is (18 + 20 + 20 + 18)/4 = 19.
Because the PreACT serves as an ACT score predictor, a student's PreACT score report will include his or her estimated ACT composite score, which can range from 1 to 36 (36 is the highest possible score).
To view a sample PreACT test score report, go to the PreACT Knowledge Hub on the ACT website.
PreACT Test Dates & Registration
Individual schools or school systems decide if and when they will administer the PreACT. If your child's school offers the PreACT, registration will take place through the school. Contact your child's school or college counselor to find out if your child will have the opportunity to take the PreACT.
Related Topics
- Once your child has taken the PreACT test, the next step is to take the ACT. Visit our ACT Test page for details about the ACT.
- Wondering when your child can take the ACT? Visit our ACT Test Dates page for upcoming test dates and registration deadlines.
- Visit our ACT Registration page for information about how to register your child for the ACT.
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