How Long Is the ACT? Section Times and Breaks (2026)

How long is each section of the ACT?

The enhanced ACT has three required sections, English, Math and Reading, and two optional ones, Science and Writing. Your composite is the average of the three required sections, so Science and Writing only add time if you or your colleges want those scores. Here is each section with its time, its number of questions and how long that gives you per question:

English moves fastest at about 42 seconds a question, so it rewards a steady pace. Math and Reading give you about 67 seconds each, and Science 60 seconds. If you practice with a timer, set it per section rather than for the whole test; then score the practice test with the ACT score calculator to see which section costs you the most points.

How long is the ACT with science, with writing or without?

The total depends on the options you register for. The table adds up the section times, then the breaks: 15 minutes after Math for everyone and 5 more before the essay if you take Writing. The last two columns are the end times ACT publishes for test day.

So how long is the ACT with science? 2 hours 45 minutes of testing, which matches ACT's own line that the multiple choice tests take 2 hours and 45 minutes (165 minutes). Without Science or Writing it is 2 hours 5 minutes.

ACT test day: check in, breaks and when you finish

ACT asks you to be inside the test center no later than 8:00 a.m. so staff can check you in, and late arrivals are not admitted. Bring your photo ID and admission ticket, and for online testing at a bring your own device center, a charged laptop and charger. There is a short break after the second test, Math, and a 5 minute break before the 40 minute essay if you take Writing. Phones and other devices stay off during breaks too.

Counting from the 8:00 a.m. arrival, the ACT without options keeps you about 3 hours 5 minutes online and 3 hours 25 minutes on paper; with Science and Writing, 5 hours online and 5 hours 30 minutes on paper. If you registered for Science or Writing and decide to skip it, tell the staff so they dismiss you at the right time (ACT, test day checklist, checked October 23, 2026).

How long is the ACT with extended time?

Students approved for time and a half get 50% more time in every section. On ACT's accommodations timing sheet that is English 52.5 minutes, Math 75 minutes, Reading 60 minutes, Science 60 minutes and Writing 60 minutes. In total: 187.5 minutes for the required sections (about 3 hours 8 minutes), 247.5 with Science and 307.5 with Science and Writing, before breaks. Time and a half in a single session can be given at national test centers; longer timing, such as double time over several days, is given through special testing. You need ACT's approval before test day (ACT, national and special testing accommodations section timings, checked October 23, 2026).

How long is the new ACT compared with the old one?

The enhanced ACT, the version at national test dates and, from spring 2026, in state and district testing, has fewer questions, more time per question and an optional Science test. The required part is now 131 questions in 2 hours 5 minutes. If a college or scholarship still wants a Science score, or you want the STEM score, register for Science and plan on 2 hours 45 minutes (ACT, ACT changes for your success, checked October 23, 2026).

How long is the PreACT?

ACT lists the PreACT for grades 9 to 11 at 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes) from fall 2026, when it switches to the enhanced ACT blueprint, and PreACT 9 Secure at 155 minutes. On the new blueprint English (35 minutes), Reading (40) and Science (40) match the ACT section times, and only Math is shorter: 45 minutes instead of 50. Science is part of the PreACT, so its 160 minutes cover four sections, which is why it runs longer than the 125 minute core ACT (ACT, PreACT alignment to the enhanced ACT FAQ, checked October 23, 2026). Your school runs the PreACT, so it sets the date and the start time.

ACT vs SAT: which test is longer?

The digital SAT takes 2 hours 14 minutes of testing (64 minutes for Reading and Writing plus 70 for Math) plus a 10 minute break between them, for 98 questions (College Board, SAT test structure, checked October 23, 2026). That makes the SAT 9 minutes longer than the ACT without options and 31 minutes shorter than the ACT with Science. Length is rarely the deciding factor; see what a good ACT score is and compare your results on both tests with the ACT to SAT conversion chart.