Usage & Mechanics
About 40 questions focus on the technical rules of English — punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.
Punctuation
~10 questions
- Commas: restrictive vs. non-restrictive clauses, items in a series, introductory elements
- Apostrophes: possession vs. contractions, its/it's
- Semicolons & colons: joining independent clauses, introducing lists
- Dashes & parentheses: setting off non-essential information
Grammar & Usage
~12 questions
- Subject-verb agreement with complex subjects
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement and clarity
- Verb tense consistency throughout passages
- Adjective/adverb usage and comparatives/superlatives
- Idioms and commonly confused words
Sentence Structure
~18 questions
- Run-on sentences and comma splices
- Sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts
- Parallelism in lists and comparisons
- Modifier placement (dangling and misplaced modifiers)
- Subordination and coordination of clauses
Rhetorical Skills
About 35 questions test your ability to improve writing quality — strategy, organization, and style choices.
Strategy
~12 questions
- Determine whether a passage achieves its stated purpose
- Add, revise, or delete sentences for clarity and relevance
- Choose the most effective opening or closing
- Evaluate audience and tone appropriateness
Organization
~11 questions
- Logical ordering of sentences within paragraphs
- Logical ordering of paragraphs within passages
- Effective transitions between ideas
- Introduction and conclusion effectiveness
Style
~12 questions
- Conciseness: eliminate wordiness and redundancy
- Word choice: precision, tone, and register
- Avoiding ambiguity and vague language
- Maintaining consistent tone and style
Tips & Strategies
Expert advice for test day
Read the Full Sentence
Always read the entire sentence before answering. Context before and after the underlined portion matters.
"No Change" Is Often Correct
About 25% of answers are "No Change." Don't assume something must be wrong — evaluate carefully.
Shorter Is Usually Better
When in doubt, choose the most concise option that preserves the meaning. The ACT rewards brevity.
Watch for "DELETE the underlined portion"
If the underlined text is redundant or unnecessary, deletion may be the best choice.
Pace Yourself: 36 Seconds Per Question
With 75 questions in 45 minutes, you have about 36 seconds each. Skip hard questions and return to them.
Use Process of Elimination
Eliminate answers with clear grammar errors first. Often two choices are obviously wrong.