ACT Practice Timer
The enhanced ACT is shorter than the old one: English, Math and Reading, 2 h 20 min with the break, and Science is now optional. The timer here has the test's own buttons in place of the pomodoro ones: english, math, break, reading and science.
Run them in test-day order, English, Math, the break, then Reading, and add Science at the end if you are taking it.
The enhanced ACT, section by section
| Part | Time | Questions | Time per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 35 min | 50 | 42 s |
| Math | 50 min | 45 | 67 s |
| Break | 15 min | ||
| Reading | 40 min | 36 | 67 s |
| Science (optional) | 40 min | 40 | 60 s |
Timings follow the official structure published by ACT, enhanced ACT test structure, checked in October 2026. Test makers change formats, so check the official page before test day.
What changed, and what it means for pacing
The enhanced ACT cut questions faster than it cut time, so every section now gives you a little longer per question than before. English is about 42 seconds per question, Math about a minute, Reading just over a minute, and Science, if you take it, a minute flat. The test is still fast. It is just less frantic.
Science no longer counts toward the composite score: the composite is English, Math and Reading. Some colleges and STEM programs still want the Science score, so check what your list asks for before you decide to skip it.
The optional Writing test, if you take it, comes after a short break at the very end and lasts 40 minutes. Practise it with the countdown timer set to 40 minutes.
Section strategy in one line each
- English: answer as you read; do not read the whole passage first.
- Math: the early questions are quicker. Bank time there for the harder ones near the end.
- Reading: four passages in 40 minutes is about 10 each. If a passage is eating 13 minutes, move on.
- Science: read the question first, then find only the figure it needs.
Taking the SAT as well? The SAT practice timer runs its four modules the same way.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ACT now?
The enhanced ACT is 2 hours and 5 minutes of testing for English, Math and Reading, plus a break. Adding Science adds 40 minutes.
Is Science still on the ACT?
Science is optional on the enhanced ACT and is not part of the composite score. Some programs still ask for it.
How long is the break on the ACT?
There is a break after the Math section. The timer uses 15 minutes; test centers may run it a little shorter.
Related
- exam timer every practice timer.
- SAT practice timer the digital SAT's four modules.
- 50/10 timer for daily prep sessions.
- countdown timer for a single section or the Writing test.