--- title: How Long Is the ACT With Writing? · PrepScholar description: How many hours is the ACT test, with the writing section? Learn the ACT test length and strategies to deal with time here. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/feature_howlongactwriting.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [How Long Is the ACT With Writing?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-long-is-the-act-with-writing) ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_lauras.png) Posted by [Laura Staffaroni](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/laura-staffaroni) | Updated on August 29, 2024 [ACT Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act-writing)   ![feature_howlongactwriting](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/feature_howlongactwriting.jpg?width=386&name=feature_howlongactwriting.jpg) The ACT is a standardized test that requires endurance. You're asked to answer 215 multiple-choice questions subject area by subject area—a style of testing that causes fatigue for many students. The normal four-section (English, Math, Reading, Science) ACT is already lengthy, but how much longer does it get when you add on the Writing test? In this article, you'll find out just **how long the ACT with Writing is,** along with some actions you can take to deal with its monstrous length. Feature Image Credit: [Joe Haupt](https://www.flickr.com/photos/51764518@N02/8592443592/)/Flickr   ## How Long Is the ACT With Writing? The first thing to think about is how long each section of the test is on the ACT Plus Writing. In the chart below, you can see the order, time, and number of questions for each ACT section, including the optional Writing (essay) section: | **Section** | **Time** | **# of Questions** | | --- | --- | --- | | 1. English | 45 minutes | 75 | | 2. Math | 60 minutes | 60 | | 3. Reading | 35 minutes | 40 | | 4. Science | 35 minutes | 40 | | 5. Experimental\* | 20 minutes (approximately) | ? | | 6. Writing (optional) | 40 minutes | 1 essay | *\*Given to only some test takers.* If you take the **ACT with Writing,** the time for each section (English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing) adds up to a total of **three hours and 35 minutes of test sections** (excluding [breaks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-long-is-the-act-with-breaks)). By contrast, **the total time of the ACT without Writing is** **only two hours and 55 minutes.** The exception to this rule is when there is [an additional 20-minute unscored section](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/ACT-2015-16.pdf?t=1466791156284#page=9&zoom=auto,-15,352) ("Experimental" in the above chart) added to the ACT without Writing, raising the total test time to **three hours and 15 minutes.**   ## How Long Is the ACT Plus Writing Test-Taking Experience? Just knowing the amount of time each section takes doesn't tell you the whole story. In order to get the full picture of how long the ACT with Writing is, **you also have to account for breaks. **Below, I've added in the two breaks that occur during the ACT Plus Writing Test: | **Section** | **Time** | | --- | --- | | 1. English | 45 minutes | | 2. Math | 60 minutes | | **Break** | **10 minutes** | | 3. Reading | 35 minutes | | 4. Science | 35 minutes | | 5. Experimental\* | 20 minutes (approximately) | | **Break\*\*** | **5 minutes** | | 6. Writing | 40 minutes | *\*Not scored; only administered to select students **not** taking the ACT Plus Writing.* *\*\*Only for students taking the ACT Plus Writing; all other students are free to leave.* **When breaks are included, the ACT Plus Writing takes a total of three hours and 50 minutes.** With breaks but *without* Writing, the ACT is only three hours and five minutes long (or three hours and 25 minutes long if you have to take the experimental section). Some students dislike the breaks in-between sections. While it's true that breaks do make the test longer (which, in turn, requires you to keep your brain in test mode longer), they're also beneficial. **During the breaks, you'll not only be able to use the restroom, but you'll also get the chance to briefly relax your mind.** These actions should lead to a higher ACT score (since you won't lose time running to the restroom mid-section, for instance), which will then save you time by making it unnecessary to [retake the test](https://blog.prepscholar.com/should-you-retake-the-sat-or-act-3-step-process). Be aware that proctors occasionally forget about breaks or accidentally cut the breaks short. That said, the breaks between Math and Reading and between Science and Writing are absolutely your right as a test taker. **If it seems as if a break is going to be shorter than the maximum time or get skipped over altogether, be sure to request a break.** Read our guide to learn [what to do if your ACT testing center experiences any problems like these](https://blog.prepscholar.com/if-your-sat-act-test-center-has-these-problems-speak-up).   ## ACT Plus Writing Test-Taking Experience With Extended Time If you normally get extended time on tests in school, or if you think you might need extra time on the ACT, there are a few different accommodations that allow you to have more time. [National Extended Time for ACT Plus Writing](https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/FAQ-TAA-Changes.pdf) will give you **six** **total hours (including breaks) for the ACT Plus Writing.** If you qualify for Special Testing time, you may receive even more time (depending on your diagnosis and the accommodations deemed necessary). Check out our guide to learn more about [how to request and get ACT accommodations](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-guide-to-act-accommodations).   ## How to Deal With the ACT Test Length: 5 Key Tips Even if you don't get extended time on the test, the ACT with Writing is still pretty long. So what can you do to prepare for such a lengthy test? Here are our top tips.   ### #1: Build Up to It Think of the ACT with Writing as a marathon. Some people have naturally higher endurance levels than others, but everyone still needs to train in order to get up to running 26.2 miles in one go. In the case of the ACT, this means **you'll need to ****start out by practicing questions on individual sections, move up to taking entire sections at once, and finally work your way up to taking a [full-length, timed ACT practice test](https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf)** (including breaks).   ### #2: Make Your Practice Tests as Realistic as Possible It's not enough to simply practice taking a full-length ACT with Writing. If you really want to know how you'll do on test day, **you'll need to take practice tests under the exact same (or close to it) conditions that you'll have on test day.** This means you should wake up early on a Saturday morning to take your practice test at 8 am, and find a quiet place to take it. It also means following all time restrictions on the test, including breaks. Be sure to **practice using a non-mechanical pencil, particularly on the Writing test.** The more closely you can emulate real testing conditions, the better prepared you'll be for the ACT.   ### #3: Use the Breaks Well Breaks are important for your mental and physical well-being. **Get up and move around during these times if your energy levels are getting low.** Make sure to bring a snack and water so you can replenish yourself quickly (and don't have to go hunting for a vending machine). **Get back to your seat at least two minutes before the test resumes** so that you can calm back down and reenter a test-taking mindset. If your energy or anxiety levels tend to be high during tests and you're worried that getting up and moving might break your concentration, **try to at least** **do some stretches in your seat.** Shaking out and stretching your hands and arms is very important (particularly before the Writing test), as your fingers can get cramped from gripping your pencil too tightly. It might also help to **slowly roll around your head and stretch your neck** in order to release any tension that's gathered there.   ### #4: Get Enough Sleep Multiple Nights Before Test Day It's not just the night before that matters—making sure you have a solid night's rest two and three nights before the ACT can make a big difference. I know that for me, a bad night's sleep catches up with me a couple of days later rather than the next day! **I recommend a****iming for about eight or nine hours of sleep a night,** or whatever amount you need to feel well rested.   ### #5: Eat a Balanced Breakfast the Morning of the Test You don't want to have a sugar crash or an upset stomach halfway through the ACT; you also don't want to faint because you didn't eat anything that morning. So what should you do? **Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast that isn't too greasy or too sugary.** Protein and complex carbohydrates (rather than something sweet like cereal) are the way to go.   ![body_breakfastofnonchampions](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_breakfastofnonchampions.jpg?width=291&name=body_breakfastofnonchampions.jpg) *You must ignore the seduction and sorcery that is a doughnut cupcake (?!?!?!) for your test-day breakfast. ([Chris Martin](https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjmartin/3983268970/)/Flickr)*   ## What’s Next? **Want a quick way to boost your ACT Writing score?** Read our [15 tips and strategies for getting a high score on the ACT essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-writing-tips-15-strategies-to-raise-your-essay-score). **Get to know the ACT Plus Writing even better** with our article on [how to get a perfect score on the ACT essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-12-on-the-act-writing-essay). **Discover** **[how the length of your ACT essay is related to your ACT Writing score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-does-act-essay-length-affect-your-score).**   [![Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points?   We have the industry's leading ACT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and ACT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.   Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next.   Check out our 5-day free trial today:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151874364856.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKm9F1Y4wp338UK%2Firy1%2BV9PrJFUHG6AR1y1NoP5aoDD8C8oTuFGjpEdbvCZ8vZ2tz93C%2BE5duSAhinXkznuvJuSsshm1T8MoTiRanFXPGQjWPrp6QXtoGaPdgZX%2BTMflejG%2FcC%2FxZ5SJz14WMThDKxsB7WxtHahpC%2FjQnren3aQ5%2BsKRHWqp%2FIHKuvjx8%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151874364856&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fhow-long-is-the-act-with-writing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_lauras.png) Laura Staffaroni Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laura Staffaroni", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/laura-staffaroni" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-29T18:02:20+00:00", "datePublished" : "2018-04-20T23:00:00+00:00", "description" : "How many hours is the ACT test, with the writing section? Learn the ACT test length and strategies to deal with time here.", "headline" : "How Long Is the ACT With Writing?", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_howlongactwriting.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-long-is-the-act-with-writing", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```