Visualization of ACT Math Question Types

Bar graphs for 12 big topics

This is the ACT part of the graph from this post: https://mathchops.substack.com/p/sat-vs-act-math

How I Use It With Students

First, I’ll ask them what they notice. I’m trying to start a conversation, rather than a 5 minute lecture. Here are the points I’m hoping will come up as we talk:

• Are there any topics you’re hoping won’t show up on the test? Fractions and percents pop up frequently.

• Look at how much Pre-Algebra is on this test! That’s fractions, multiples, factors, remainders, order of operations, basic absolute value…

• Look at how much advanced material is on this test! Logarithms, vectors, permutations, ellipses, law of cosines, and basically anything else you might cover in 11th grade is fair game.

• It’s pretty different from the SAT. There’s not nearly as much Algebra 1, like systems, y = mx + b, basic algebra equations. All of that stuff is on there, just not as much.

What’s Not On This Graph

• The ACT is very broad, but quite shallow. If you are covering a certain topic in school, the ACT question on that topic will seem pretty easy. 

• The time pressure is intense. You have 60 seconds per question (vs ~95 on the SAT). The old John Wooden quote (“be quick - but don’t hurry”) is really appropriate here.

• You can’t use Desmos, but every question is multiple choice. For most students, these details don’t end up mattering by the end of the test prep process – they’ll get used to the tools and format with practice.

If you’d like a PDF of this post, please visit the Mathchops Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mathchopseducators

Mathchops finds the best questions for each student, based on their previous answers. If you’d like to try it free, please email mike@mathchops.com.