Guessing Strategies for the ACT

Learn when and how to guess effectively on the ACT to maximize your score when time is short or questions are difficult.

Important: There's No Penalty for Guessing

Unlike the old SAT, the ACT does not penalize wrong answers. This means you should never leave a question blank. Always fill in an answer, even if you have to guess.

1

Eliminate Wrong Answers First

Before you guess, always try to eliminate at least one or two obviously wrong answers. This increases your odds significantly.

The Math:

  • Random guess: 25% chance (1 in 4)
  • Eliminate 1 wrong answer: 33% chance (1 in 3)
  • Eliminate 2 wrong answers: 50% chance (1 in 2)
  • Eliminate 3 wrong answers: 100% chance (you found the answer!)
2

Use Process of Elimination

Look for answers that are clearly wrong based on common sense, basic knowledge, or the question context.

What to Look For:

  • Extreme values: Very large or very small numbers are often wrong
  • Off-topic answers: Answers that don't relate to the question
  • Opposites: If the question asks for the maximum, eliminate minimum answers
  • Similar pairs: If two answers are very similar, one is likely correct
3

When Time is Running Out

If you're running out of time, don't waste precious seconds trying to solve difficult questions. Make an educated guess and move on.

Quick Guessing Strategy:

  1. Quickly scan the question for any obvious clues
  2. Eliminate any clearly wrong answers
  3. Pick from the remaining options (or pick a letter if you're truly out of time)
  4. Mark the question number in your booklet so you can review it if time allows
4

Pick a "Letter of the Day"

If you're completely out of time and have multiple questions left, use a consistent guessing strategy rather than random guessing.

The Strategy:

Pick one letter (A, B, C, or D) and use it for all your remaining guesses. This ensures you get some right by chance rather than spreading guesses randomly.

Note: This is only for when you're truly out of time. Always try to eliminate wrong answers first if you have even a few seconds.

5

Section-Specific Tips

English Section

Look for the shortest, most concise answer. ACT English favors clarity and brevity. Also, "no change" is correct more often than you might think.

Math Section

If you can estimate the answer, eliminate options that are way off. Also, if a question asks for a specific value, plug in the answer choices if possible.

Reading Section

Answers that are too specific or too broad are often wrong. Look for answers that are directly supported by the passage text.

Science Section

Focus on the data presented in charts and graphs. Answers that contradict the data are always wrong. Look for trends and patterns.

Remember

Guessing is a last resort. The best strategy is to manage your time well so you can attempt every question thoughtfully. Practice pacing during your test prep so you're less likely to need guessing strategies on test day.

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