The ACT does not provide a reference sheet on its math test—read on for Piqosity’s ACT formula sheets, which cover many of the crucial equations ACT-takers are expected to remember for the exam.
This article includes:
- ACT Algebra Formulas
- ACT Geometry & Trigonometry Formulas
- ACT Statistics & Probability Formulas
- A FREE, printable PDF version of all Piqosity ACT Formula Sheets
Mathematics on the ACT
The ACT math test is one of three subject areas tested on the base ACT exam, where students are allotted 50 minutes to answer 45 multiple-choice math questions.
| Test Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit (minutes) | Time Per Question (seconds) |
| English | 50 | 35 | 42 |
| Math | 45 | 50 | ~67 |
| Reading | 36 | 40 | ~67 |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40 | 60 |
| Essay (optional) | 1 | 40 | n/a |
| Totals: | 131 + 41 optional | 125 + 80 optional | n/a |
The topics tested on the ACT math section include concepts taught through pre-Calculus. ACT categorizes these as Preparing for Higher Math (PHM) and Integrating Essential Skills (IES). The PHM category is largely involved with high school math concepts (Algebra onwards), while the IES category involves questions that test multiple skills, involve multistep problems, and cover concepts from middle school math (such as percentages and proportions). The PHM topic distribution is as follows:
ACT Math Section Reporting Categories
| Main Reporting Category | Subcategory | Percentage of Questions on Old ACT | Percentage of Questions on New ACT (Official) | Average Percentage go Questions on Practice Tests |
| PHM | 57-60% | 80% | 77% | |
| Algebra | 12-15% | 17-20% | 16% | |
| Functions | 12-15% | 17-20% | 18% | |
| Geometry | 12-15% | 17-20% | 16% | |
| Number & Quantity | 8-12% | 10-12% | 12% | |
| Statistics & Probability | 8-12% | 12-15% | 15% | |
| IES | 40-43% | 20% | 23% |
The ACT math test is known for its difficulty. Its questions are designed to be rather challenging, as they are largely focused on high school math concepts. (The SAT math only tests up to Algebra II.)
Why There Isn’t an ACT Math Formula Sheet
Since there’s a short formula sheet on the SAT, students studying for these tests may wonder “do you get a formula sheet on the ACT?” Unfortunately, the ACT has never provided a formula sheet for students to reference during the math portion.
ACT has stated that it maintains this policy because it doesn’t want a formula sheet to compete for a student’s attention or desk/screen space on test day, nor does it want to potentially give students the illusion that they’ll only need the formulas present on the reference sheet for the test. Further, some ACT math questions involving a complex formula may include the formula within the question.
A reference sheet can be a huge help for math tests, but truly knowing the math necessary to score high means being able to recall the formula you need in different situations. If you study the formulas that may appear on the test, you won’t even need a provided formula sheet—you’ll have one in your head!
ACT Math Formula Sheet: The Formulas You Need to Know
A formula sheet tailored to the math topics on the ACT can be a valuable study aid ahead of the test! We’ve gathered the formulas you’ll probably encounter on the ACT math test in our own Piqosity ACT Formula Sheets!
Algebra Formulas You Should Know
To score well on the ACT math section, you should be comfortable with Algebra—34 to 49% of ACT math questions will test you on your knowledge of functions and other algebraic concepts (such as expressions and systems of equations).
These ACT math formula sheets cover many of the formulas you’ll need to succeed on the exam’s Algebra questions.
Formulas for ACT Geometry and Trigonometry Questions
One way the ACT differs from the SAT is that its math questions cover more advanced topics, many of which are taught in Pre-Calculus. The following enhanced ACT math formula sheets cover many of the key geometry formulas you’ll need to know, from basic geometry to advanced trig.
ACT Statistics & Probability Formulas
If you have the ACT coming up, don’t keep yourself guessing on test day—study the formulas below to breeze through probability & statistics questions.
How to Prepare for the ACT Math Test
While there isn’t an ACT math formula sheet available while you take the test, Piqosity developed these ACT formula sheets to help ACT-takers study ahead of the exam. If you’re taking the ACT this school year, use these sheets to help work through ACT math practice questions as you memorize the key formulas you’ll need to reach ACT math success.
If you want to do better on ACT math questions, the tried-and-true method is a cycle of taking a practice test, studying your weak concepts using lessons and practice questions, then repeating with another practice test through test day! Then, you can study and retake the ACT if you still aren’t at your goal score.
If you’re looking for an abundance of affordable resources to help you on your math (and reading/English) ACT journey, Piqosity is here to help! Along with our full-length, online ELA and Math courses for grades 5-11, we offer full ACT, SAT, and ISEE test prep courses, each of which includes 12 practice exams, dozens of concept lessons, personalized practice software, and more.
Piqosity’s enhanced ACT course includes 12 ACT practice tests! Our free community account allows you to access to try out all of Piqosity’s features—no credit card required! When you’re ready to upgrade, Piqosity’s year-long accounts start at only $89.
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