No matter how you prep for the ACT—whether you have a tutor, take a class, or study by yourself—you must get access to official, online and printable ACT tests. The official ACT practice test provided below—released by ACT, Inc.—is the exact format you’ll see on test day.
In this post, I'll tell you where you can find the official, online or printable ACT practice test with the answer key. I'll also give you key strategies and resources to help you make big improvements while you prep for the ACT.
Quick Summary
Looking for a free, printable ACT practice test? The best options are the two official ACT practice tests from ACT, because they use the same format and content as the real exam. There are currently two full-length official ACT practice tests available for free online. Students can print them and use them as realistic, timed practice exams.
For the most effective ACT prep, take your practice test under realistic test-day conditions: use the same format (paper or digital) you’ll use on the actual ACT, follow the official time limits, and take the test in one sitting when possible. Most importantly, review every mistake after the test rather than simply taking practice tests over and over.
The Best Free, Printable ACT Practice Tests
On ACT's website, they have two full-length ACT practice tests available for free.
ACT Practice Test 1
ACT Practice Test 2
These ACT practice tests were made by the same people who make the ACT you'll see on exam day. The practice tests are also fully updated to the format and content of the current ACT.
Note that these practice tests are not a cure-all for your ACT problems. To use them effectively, you'll need to learn what they do and do not do. You'll also need to make sure you're using ACT practice tests at an optimal frequency (In other words, don't take them too close to your ACT test date!).
But how else can you utilize official practice tests in your ACT prep?
5 Strategies to Get the Most Out of ACT Practice Tests
When you set aside four hours for an ACT practice test, it's important to try to get the most out of your time and energy. Using our five critical tips below as you take your ACT test can help you prepare more effectively for test day.
#1: Take the Practice Test in the Same Format You’ll Take the Real ACT
One of the first questions you’ll need to answer is: how will you take the ACT, on paper or digitally?
If you’re one of the students taking the ACT digitally, you’d ideally want to take the practice test using this format so you’re familiar with the test software and tools.
If you're going to take the actual ACT on paper (as opposed to taking it on a computer), it's best to emulate this format by taking your practice test on paper, too. Do your scratch work directly in your "test book" (in other words, not on separate pieces of scratch paper—remember, you won't get any extra paper on test day, though you are allowed to take notes directly on your test!).
#2: Keep Strict Timing on Every Section
Many students struggle with time pressure on the ACT. Going over a section's time limit by just two minutes can make a noticeable difference in your score since you're essentially giving yourself the chance to answer two or three more questions.
This is why it's so important to adhere to the official time limits on your practice tests. Not only will this help you get used to the test structure, but it'll also let you learn how to identify your weaknesses.
Here are the official time limits on the ACT as well as approximately how long you should aim to spend per question on each section:
| ACT Section | Time per Section | Time per Question |
| English | 35 minutes | 42 seconds |
| Math | 50 minutes | 67 seconds |
| Reading | 40 minutes | 67 seconds |
| Science (Optional) | 40 minutes | 60 seconds |
| Writing (Optional) | 40 minutes | N/A |
Last but not least, the ACT isn't without breaks, so make sure to rest during your practice test, too!
One important thing to note: students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders, medical or psychiatric conditions, and visual or hearing impairments may qualify for 50% extended time.
You can read a complete guide to ACT accommodations here. If you’re eligible for ACT extended time, then you’ll have slightly longer to work on each section:
| ACT Section | Time per Section |
| English | 53 minutes |
| Math | 75 minutes |
| Reading | 60 minutes |
| Science (Optional) | 60 minutes |
| Writing (Optional) | 60 minutes |
#3: Take the Test in One Sitting, If Possible
The ACT is a marathon that will take up most of a Saturday morning (unless your school offers ACT District Testing, in which case you would take the test on a school day). If you're taking both optional sections you won't be done until early afternoon.
Regardless of whether you take the ACT on a weekday or Saturday, you should take the length of the exam seriously. Thousands of students have told us how difficult it is to stay focused during the whole exam and how easy it is to make careless mistakes at the end of the test.
Just like training for a marathon, you need to ensure you've got enough endurance to be able to succeed on the ACT. And the best way to do this is to take a practice test in one sitting—just as you will on test day.
If there's no possible way for you to take an ACT test in one sitting (for example, maybe you're an athlete and have practice every day that completely wears you out), it's OK to split up the test over multiple days—just as long as you're obeying each section's time limit exactly.
In the end, it's better to do some practice than none at all!
#4: Review Your Answers and Mistakes
The main point of taking ACT practice tests isn't just getting to do a lot of questions—it's being able to learn from your mistakes.
For every practice test you take, review all of your mistakes as well as every question you got right. If you don't know why you missed a question, look it up! That way, your wrong answers become teaching opportunities. You can guide yourself through the process from A to B and “show your work”—you’ll probably remember that question even better than if you’d gotten it right the first time.
#5: No Score Improvement? Supplement Your Practice Tests
Some students are great at using practice tests to study by themselves—they'll see a mistake they made, instantly realize why they made it, and then avoid making it in the future.
That said, most students need additional help with pinpointing their weaknesses and getting down key test-taking skills and strategies. Some of the best options for prep help include using an online ACT prep program, hiring a tutor, buying comprehensive ACT prep books, and using other resources available online.
Our ACT Prep program is great because it provides structure and guidance as you study for the ACT, but it also fits into your busy schedule since it's 100% self-paced. More importantly, PrepScholar's ACT Prep program adapts to your skill level, helping you address your unique strengths and weaknesses. This can help save you a ton of time with your prep! The weekly study plans and progress reports outline your progress and areas of improvement, showing you exactly where you need to focus your time to improve.
In addition to prep courses, one-on-one time with a tutor can really help you master those tricky subjects and work toward your best score. Our expert tutors meet with you for face-to-face video sessions, and our flexible scheduling options make it easy for you to find the best times to study!
How to Get the Most Out of Your ACT Practice Tests
Taking an ACT practice test is only the first step. The real value comes from analyzing your results and figuring out why you missed each question. Instead of simply checking your score and moving on, use your practice test to identify the specific skills and strategies that are holding you back.
At PrepScholar, we recommend sorting your mistakes into four categories:
| Type of mistake | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Content issue | You didn't know or couldn't remember the information needed to answer the question. | Review the relevant concept and practice similar questions. |
| Question comprehension issue | You misunderstood what the question was asking or misread an important detail. | Practice identifying exactly what each question is asking before choosing an answer. |
| Timing issue | You ran out of time or spent too long on a difficult question. | Work on pacing and practice moving on from questions that are taking too long. |
| Careless error | You knew how to solve the problem but made an avoidable mistake. | Slow down, read carefully, and identify what caused the error. |
Don't stop at questions you got wrong, either. Review questions you guessed on or weren't confident about, even if you happened to get them right. A correct answer based on a guess isn't necessarily evidence that you have mastered the skill.
Turn Your Mistakes Into a Study Plan
Once you've categorized your mistakes, look for patterns. If you missed several questions because you didn't know a particular math concept, for example, spending more time taking another full-length test probably won't solve the problem. You should study that concept and then practice questions that test it.
Similarly, if you consistently leave the final questions in a section unanswered, your biggest problem may be pacing rather than content. Changing your approach to difficult questions and practicing under timed conditions can be more useful than simply memorizing more material.
A simple mistake log can help:
- Question: What did the question ask?
- Your answer: What did you choose?
- Correct answer: What should you have chosen?
- Why you missed it: Content, comprehension, timing, or careless error?
- Fix: What will you do differently next time?
After you've reviewed your mistakes and worked on your weakest areas, take another full-length practice test. Then repeat the process.
This approach can make even a small number of practice tests much more valuable. ACT itself recommends using timed practice tests to simulate standard testing conditions and then using the scoring information to evaluate your performance.
ACT Printable Practice Tests FAQ
Where can I find free printable ACT practice tests?
The best free printable ACT practice tests are the two official full-length practice tests released by ACT. Because they were created by ACT, they closely match the content and format of the real exam. You can print the tests and use them for realistic practice at home.
Is there a free official full-length ACT practice test?
Yes. ACT currently provides two full-length official ACT practices test for free online. ACT also provides shorter practice questions and quizzes for individual sections.
How many free ACT practice tests are available?
There are currently two full-length official ACT practice tests available for free online. Older articles may list more free official tests, but ACT reduced its free practice-test offerings in recent years.
Are printable ACT practice tests better than online practice tests?
Not necessarily. The best format depends on how you will take the real ACT. If you are taking the paper ACT, a printable practice test lets you closely replicate the test-day experience. If you are taking the digital ACT, you should also practice with the digital format and become familiar with its tools and interface.
How should I use a printable ACT practice test?
Take the test under realistic conditions. Follow the official time limits, avoid giving yourself extra time, and take the entire test in one sitting if possible. Afterward, review both your incorrect answers and questions you answered correctly but weren't confident about.
How often should I take a full-length ACT practice test?
Don't take full-length practice tests every day. Practice tests are most useful when you have enough time between tests to review your mistakes, identify weaknesses, and work on the skills you need to improve. A practice test should be a tool for learning, not just a way to collect practice scores.
How many ACT practice tests should I take?
There is no magic number. What matters more than the number of tests is how thoroughly you review them.
Should I review my ACT practice test answers?
Yes. Reviewing your mistakes is one of the most important parts of taking an ACT practice test. For each missed question, determine why you got it wrong and what you need to do differently next time. This turns a practice test from an assessment into a study tool.
Can I improve my ACT score using only practice tests?
Some students can make substantial progress by carefully reviewing practice tests and correcting their weaknesses, but practice tests alone aren't always enough. If your score isn't improving, consider adding targeted instruction, an ACT prep course, tutoring, or other resources that teach the concepts and strategies you are missing.
What's Next?
Ready to get a perfect ACT score? Read our famous guide on what it takes, written by an expert 36 scorer.
If you're aiming for top scores on all four sections of the ACT, read our in-depth strategy guides on how to get a 36 on ACT English, ACT Math, ACT Reading, and ACT Science.
Once you have all your ACT prep resources together, it's time to build a study plan. Our expert advice will help you build the ACT study plan that's best for you!
