The ACT is a standardized college admission test consisting of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each scored on a scale of 1 to 36. An optional Writing section (essay) scored on a scale of 0 to 12. The English section assesses grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills, while the Math section covers algebra, arithmetic, data analysis, geometry, and basic trigonometry. The Reading section tests comprehension of passages, and the Science section evaluates data interpretation and scientific reasoning. The composite score is the average of the four main sections, rounded to the nearest whole number. The entire test lasts about 2 hours and 55 minutes, or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the essay.