ACT Math Topics: Every Topic on the ACT Math Section (2026)

Every topic on the ACT Math section, in one place

The ACT math section covers a wide range of content, from basic arithmetic to trigonometry. On the Enhanced ACT in 2026, the section has 45 questions in 50 minutes with four answer choices per question. The content areas have not changed, but the pace and the answer-choice count have. This guide lists every topic you can expect on the 2026 ACT math test, how many questions each topic covers, and what you actually need to study.

Want to see how you stack up right now? Start a free ACT math quiz, or dive into our ACT math section guide for strategies by topic.

How ACT math is organized

ACT groups every math question into two reporting categories: Preparing for Higher Math (57-60% of the test) and Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%). Preparing for Higher Math breaks into five content areas: Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Integrating Essential Skills covers topics you should already know from middle school, applied in harder contexts.

One more note before we dive into the topics: ACT also scores modeling questions, but modeling is not a separate content area. Any question that asks you to produce, interpret, or evaluate a model appears under the content area the question draws from. See the official ACT math description for the formal breakdown.

1. Number and Quantity

About 7-10% of the test. This is the smallest content area, so do not over-study it, but the questions tend to be quick wins if you recognize them.

Topics covered:

• Real number system: integers, rational and irrational numbers, number line reasoning
• Absolute value
• Exponents and roots, including rules of exponents and simplifying radicals
• Complex numbers: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and finding i-powers
• Vectors: magnitude, direction, addition
• Matrices: basic operations and determinants of 2x2 matrices

If you see an unfamiliar matrix or vector problem, do not panic. Most questions stay surface-level and can be solved by applying one rule.

2. Algebra

About 12-15% of the test, roughly 6-7 questions. This is one of the big three and shows up all over the test.

Topics covered:

• Linear equations and inequalities in one variable
• Systems of linear equations (two variables, sometimes three)
• Polynomial operations: adding, multiplying, factoring quadratics and simple cubics
• Radical equations and rational expressions
• Exponential equations and basic logarithms
• Inequalities and absolute-value inequalities
• Writing algebraic expressions from word problems

Quadratics in particular are a high-value topic. Make sure you can factor, apply the quadratic formula, and read solutions from graphs. You can drill these on our ACT math practice page.

3. Functions

About 12-15% of the test, another 6-7 questions. If your algebra is solid, functions are mostly a notation shift.

Topics covered:

• Function notation: evaluating f(x), composite functions f(g(x)), inverse functions
• Linear functions and their graphs
• Quadratic and polynomial functions (vertex form, roots, symmetry)
• Radical, rational, piecewise, and step functions
• Exponential growth and decay
• Logarithmic functions (basic properties)
• Transformations of graphs: shifts, stretches, reflections
• Domain and range, and function behavior (increasing, decreasing, maxima, minima)

Composite and inverse function questions are the most common stumbling block here. Practice until f(g(x)) feels automatic.

4. Geometry

About 12-15% of the test, 6-7 questions. ACT geometry covers more ground than SAT geometry, so do not skip this section.

Topics covered:

• Plane geometry: lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles
• Congruence and similarity, including proportional reasoning
• The Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles (30-60-90, 45-45-90)
• Area, perimeter, surface area, and volume of 2D and 3D figures
• Coordinate geometry: slope, distance, midpoint, equation of a line, equation of a circle
• Conic sections: circles, ellipses, parabolas (usually a single easier question)
• Right-triangle trigonometry: SOH-CAH-TOA, solving for sides and angles
• Trig identities and the unit circle (usually only one or two questions)

If you are time-strapped, prioritize right-triangle trig, circles, and 3D volume. These three topics account for the majority of geometry questions.

5. Statistics and Probability

About 8-12% of the test, 4-5 questions. This content area was expanded on the current ACT compared with older versions of the test.

Topics covered:

• Mean, median, mode, and range
• Standard deviation (conceptual understanding, not heavy calculation)
• Interpreting data: histograms, box plots, scatter plots, frequency tables
• Bivariate data and lines of best fit
• Basic probability rules (single-event, compound events, independent vs dependent)
• Counting principles, permutations, combinations
• Sampling, surveys, and simple study design

This is one of the easiest places to pick up points because the content is mostly middle-school level, just presented in unfamiliar charts.

6. Integrating Essential Skills

This reporting category is the largest, with 40-43% of the test (around 18-19 questions). ACT describes these as problems that integrate "skills students should have developed by grade 8." In practice, that means pre-algebra content dropped into realistic, multi-step problems.

Topics covered:

• Rates and unit conversions
• Ratios and proportions
• Percentages, percent change, percent of
• Average, weighted average, and rate word problems
• Basic area, perimeter, and volume in applied settings
• Surface area, including 3D applications
• Interpreting multi-step word problems
• Expressing quantities in different units (time, distance, currency)

These questions tend to be wordier than the Higher Math ones. Many students lose points not because they do not know percentages but because they rush through the setup. Slow down, underline what the question is really asking, then solve.

Which topics should you study first?

Here is how we recommend prioritizing if you only have a few weeks to prep.

The topics that trip most students up

These are the topics our Larry Learns data keeps flagging as high-miss-rate for students aiming at a 28+ composite:

1. Composite and inverse functions. The notation f(g(x)) looks simple until it is nested in a word problem. Practice until it is automatic.
2. Logarithms. Most students only see one or two log questions, but they weigh the score heavily when missed. Know log rules and how to convert between log and exponential form.
3. Conic sections. Equations of circles come up routinely; ellipses and parabolas are less common but still appear.
4. Standard deviation. You do not need to compute it, but you need to know what it represents.
5. Matrix determinants. One of the fastest topics to learn and almost guaranteed to show up.

How to study each topic the right way

Reading a list of topics does not improve your score. Doing problems does. Here is a simple loop that works:

1. Take a timed diagnostic. Our free ACT quiz takes about 10 minutes and shows you which content areas you miss the most.
2. Pick the weakest area from the priority list above that you scored below 70% on.
3. Do 10 questions in only that topic, no timer. Review every answer, even the ones you got right.
4. Do 10 more questions in that topic, this time with a timer.
5. Once you hit 85% accuracy timed, move on to the next priority.

For a structured multi-week plan that hits every topic, see our study plan guide. For strategy tips across all topics, check our math strategies guide. And if you are still deciding between tests, our SAT vs ACT comparison can help.

Use a score calculator to track your progress

As you drill topics, you will want a sense of what your raw score translates to. Our ACT score calculator converts raw performance to scaled scores so you can see how many more correct answers it takes to move from a 25 to a 27 or a 30 to a 32. That focus on marginal gains is what separates good prep from busywork.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACT Math Topics

What math topics are on the ACT in 2026?

The 2026 ACT math test covers Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Statistics and Probability, and a broad Integrating Essential Skills category that includes rates, percentages, proportions, and applied word problems. The Enhanced ACT format has 45 questions in 50 minutes, with four answer choices per question.

How many algebra questions are on the ACT?

Algebra accounts for roughly 12-15% of the ACT math test, or about 6-7 questions out of 45. If you also count algebra-flavored questions inside the Integrating Essential Skills category (rates, proportions, word problems), algebra skills are involved in closer to half of the test.

Is trigonometry on the ACT?

Yes. Trigonometry is part of the Geometry content area on the ACT and typically accounts for two to four questions. Most are right-triangle trig (SOH-CAH-TOA) with one or two questions on the unit circle or basic trig identities.

Do I need to know calculus for the ACT?

No. The ACT math test does not include calculus. Everything on the test comes from content through about the start of grade 12, meaning pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and a small amount of precalculus (functions, logs, basic trig).

Which ACT math topics are easiest to improve on quickly?

Integrating Essential Skills topics (percentages, rates, proportions, averages) and statistics are the easiest areas to improve quickly because they are mostly setup-and-execute problems with no deep conceptual gap. If you are under a month out from test day and need a fast score bump, drill these first.

Are the topics different on the Enhanced ACT versus the old ACT?

No, the content areas are the same. What changed is the test length (45 questions instead of 60), the time (50 minutes instead of 60), and the number of answer choices per question (4 instead of 5). Topics, difficulty range, and scoring scale are unchanged.

What calculator can I use on the ACT math section?

Any scientific or graphing calculator the ACT approves, including most TI-84, TI-Nspire non-CAS, Casio fx-9750, and similar models. The exact approved list is published on act.org. Calculators with computer algebra systems (CAS) and certain advanced calculators are not allowed.