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Mathematics Test
     The Math section of the ACT consists of a total of 60 questions. 40% of the test (24 questions) is made up of questions from Pre-algebra and Elementary Algebra. 30% of the test (18 questions) is drawn from Intermediate Algebra and Coordinate Geometry. Finally, 30% of the test (18 questions) consists of Plane Geometry and Trigonometry questions. All questions are in the multiple-choice format, with 5 answer choices. Remember that on the ACT there is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should answer every question, even if you have to guess. 
     The ACT Math section requires you to know pre-algebra, algebra, and co-ordinate and plane geometries. Unlike the SAT, you'll also see trigonometry, the quadratic formula, and graphs and equations of circles, ellipses, and parabola. Though the questions are generally straightforward, they will require you to have memorized a number of concepts and formulas. 
     You will receive four scores for the mathematics portion of the ACT: a total test score based on all 60 questions, and subscores for Pre-algebra/Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry, and Plane Geometry/Trigonometry. 

Reading Comprehension Test
     The Reading section of the ACT is a 35-minute, 40-question test of your ability to read and comprehend fiction, social science, natural science, and humanities reading passages. The questions asked in the reading section can be broken down into two main categories: (1) questions that ask you for information specifically presented in the passage, and (2) questions that ask you to draw inferences from the passage--that is, to answer questions based on what is implied rather than stated in the passage. 
     You will receive an overall reading score for this section of the test plus two subscores: one based on your reading of the social science and physical science sections and one based on your prose fiction and humanities scores. 
     In the Reading section, you will read four passages, each of which is followed by ten multiple-choice questions, The passages are selected to represent the level of reading encountered by first-year college students. The reading passages are drawn from the following subject areas: 

Science Reasoning Test
     The science reasoning test requires you to have a basic knowledge of the subject areas. The overviews should be helpful in refreshing your memory of the various subjects. However, this part of the ACT exam is not designed to test your ability to recall specific facts. Rather, it is designed to test your ability to recognize and solve problems in a logical scientific manner. You may be asked to produce results based on different experimental designs. or to draw conclusions from information presented in seven different passages. Some of the information will be presented as data in graphs and tables, while other passages contain descriptive research summaries. You will also be asked to evaluate passages that present opposing points of view. In all cases, the questions wills be designed to determine whether you (1) understand the information as it is presented, (2) can analyze and interpret the information presented, and (3) can draw general conclusions from the information presented. The questions testing understanding are often easier to answer than the questions that fall into the other two categories.
     The ACT Science section doesn't mean you'll have to memorize the periodic table. Any information you need is provided. What the section really tests is your ability to think like a scientist-draw conclusions from data, grasp the purpose of an experiment, or identify an assumption underlying a scientific theory.
 

Know How Much Time You Have
     You can quickly determine how much time you will allocated to answer each question and know why you will have to be familiar with the material on the test. 
     English Test:About 1/2 minute per question.
     Math Test:1 minute per question
     Reading Test:Less than 1 minute per question
     Science Reasoning Test:Less than 1 minute
This shouldn't intimidate you at all. Instead, it should give you a goal toward which to aim. The more you practice, the faster you will become, until you are able to breeze through the material that you know even faster than the allotted time and give yourself a few extra minutes to concentrate on the material you don't know. 

Start with the Easy Questions, Then Try the Harder Ones
     As with most test, it makes sense to answer the easiest questions first. These should take less time to answer, thus giving you some extra time for those that are more difficult. This is especially important for any test that is timed. If there is actually time left over when you have filled in all of the blanks, try to review your work. Answer Every Question This topic is highlighted because it is vitally important. Your ACT score is based on the number of questions you have answered correctly, and you are not penalized for wrong answers. Therefore, it is worth your while to guess. One technique that is recommended is as follows: 
     a. Answer the easy questions first. 
     b. Check your time. 
     c. Then try the more difficult ones. 
     d. Check your time. 
     e. Try those questions that are most difficult. 
     f. Fill in the remaining blanks. 
     g. Check your time again and review if you can. 
     Some test experts recommend a different approach. They suggest filling in all of the answers consecutively, just in case you run out of time. If you are not confident that you will be able to get through the easier questions quickly and have enough time left over to go back, fill in the answers as you come to them. Also, if you are concerned that by skipping some of the answers you may forget to leave the appropriate questions blank, then it is also better to work consecutively. 
     Practicing with the three full-length tests in ACT Success will help you decide which technique is best for you. 

Practice Under Simulated Situations
     As you practice with the test in this book, time yourself. Make believe you are in the room where you are actually taking the test. Use a stopwatch if you can to time each section. Since you are only practicing for the test, it is probably more realistic to take one section at a time, and take them on separate days. It is often difficult to set aside three full hours during a school week, or even on a busy weekend, to take the entire test. After all, the purpose of practicing with this book is to improve your speed on each test. Obviously, as you improve the timing of each test, your total time will also decrease. 

     ACT National Office
     2201 North Dodge Street
     P.O. Box 168
     Iowa City, IA 52243-0168
     Telephone: (319) 337-1000       Fax: (319) 339-3021
   http://www.act.org 

Scoring and Timing
       The SAT is a 3 hour exam comprised of 3 verbal sections, 3 math sections and 1 experimental section which can be either math or verbal. There are five 30-minute sections and two 15-minute sections. You will receive a math and a verbal score each ranging on a scale of 200 to 800.

Verbal Section
       The SAT Verbal sections include: Analogies, Sentence Completions, and Critical Reading. You'll need to work around tough vocabulary words in both Analogies and Sentence Completions. In the Critical Reading section, you'll get four passages from different subject areas. To answer the questions you'll have to grasp the author's overall argument quickly and draw relationships between the details of the passage and its main idea. 

Math Section
       The SAT Math sections contain approximately equal proportions of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry questions, along with some other question types that require skills like probability and logical reasoning. The SAT is interested in testing your ability to manipulate information like key facts and formulas rather than just memorizing them.

Basically, the differences between the two tests are as follows.