The PreACT is a low-stakes pre-exam for the ACT designed by ACT, the nonprofit organization of the same name that administers the ACT. The PreACT is a slightly shorter, slightly easier exam designed to help students prepare for the official ACT exam by simulating the test and testing experience. The PreACT is a paper-and-pencil test comprised of multiple-choice sections for English, Math, Reading, and Science. (Unlike the official ACT exam, the PreACT does not have an essay section.) The PreACT also contains information designed to aid in discussions about college majors and career paths. If you want to get a sense of how you might score on the ACT based on where you currently stand and also get some ACT practice before the “real” ACT, the PreACT is the test to take.
The PreACT is targeted to grade 10 students and can be taken on any date between September 1 st and June 1 st . Currently, interested students have to sign up for the PreACT through a school that offers it. If your school doesn’t offer the PreACT, you may be able to take it at a nearby school that does. Check with your guidance counselor to learn more about this option.
The PreACT covers the same sections as does the ACT. Below is information on what content is covered.
Subject Matter Included
Question Types Included
Grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, topic development, style, knowledge of language
Four-choice, multiple-choice usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills questions; section includes four prose passages with questions specific to each passage
Pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry
Five-choice, multiple-choice questions
Reading comprehension, main idea, purpose, tone, meaning of words in context
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
Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving
Four-choice, multiple-choice data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints questions
After testing, students will receive an estimated ACT score based on their performance, as well as data that they can use to help them understand their performance and prepare for the official exam. Teachers will also be able to use this data for guidance and placement. Reports on performance will be available within 2-4 weeks of answer documents being received by ACT, so that teachers, parents, and students can use this information to prepare for the official exam. These reports will also include information about student interests that can be used by counselors in advising students about college majors and future career paths.
Below is a comparison of the PreACT and the ACT.
PreACT
ACT
45 questions, 30 minutes (40 seconds per question)
75 questions, 45 minutes (36 seconds per question)
36 questions, 40 minutes (67 seconds per question), no trigonometry
60 questions, 60 minutes (60 seconds per question)
25 questions, 30 minutes (72 seconds per question)
40 questions, 35 minutes (52.5 seconds per question)
30 questions, 30 minutes (60 seconds per question)
40 questions, 35 minutes (52.5 seconds per question)
No writing section
Optional writing section
2.5 hours (including breaks), plus 1 hour of pre-test activities
Without essay – 3.5 hours (with breaks)
With essay – just over 4 hours (with breaks)
Used for college admissions
The PreACT is strictly for practice only – while it will provide insight into a student’s readiness for the official ACT exam, it cannot be used for college admissions. However, students can choose to have their information shared with colleges and scholarship organizations when taking the PreACT, which has the potential of providing increased opportunities for recruitment and scholarship awards.
Taking the PreACT is a wonderful opportunity to dip your feet into the world of standardized testing. When you’re ready to graduate to the ACT, dive into our book, ACT Prep. And for more advice and insight into college admissions and testing, check out our YouTube channel.