ACT Reading Test

The ACT Reading Test measures reading comprehension skills through a variety of passages and question types.

Understanding Passage TypesQuestion Types and What They TestReading for Main Ideas and Details
Interpreting Author’s Tone and PurposeAnalyzing Relationships and ArgumentsMaking Inferences and Synthesizing Information
Applying Reading Skills to Everyday LifeCollaborative Reading and DiscussionUsing Reading Strategies in Other Subjects
Time Management During the TestActive Reading Techniques
Understanding Passag...Question Types and W...Reading for Main Ide...Interpreting Author’...Analyzing Relationsh...Making Inferences an...Applying Reading Ski...Collaborative Readin...Using Reading Strate...Time Management Duri...Active Reading Techn...
Practical Applications

Using Reading Strategies in Other Subjects

Transfer Your Skills Across the Curriculum

The reading strategies you practice for the ACT are handy in all your classes, not just English! Science, history, and even math require careful reading and comprehension.

How It Helps

  • Understanding complex science experiments.
  • Analyzing historical documents for bias or point of view.
  • Reading math word problems carefully to avoid mistakes.

Beyond School

These strategies are useful in everything from reading instructions on standardized tests to interpreting contracts or news stories.

Examples

  • Breaking down a complex science article for a biology class.

  • Reading and interpreting a historical speech for a social studies assignment.

Next
Time Management During the Test