ACT and SAT Experimental Sections

Both the ACT and SAT contain 20-minute experimental sections. These experimental sections do NOT count toward your score on either the SAT or ACT — they are used to calibrate the difficulty-level of questions for future test-takers.

ACT Details:

Students who take the ACT test will see a 20-minute experimental section as their “5th” section (right after the Science section). The experimental section does NOT count toward your score. Only test-takers who qualify for extra time are exempt from the section. ACT test-takers will encounter the experimental section just after the Science section, but still before their 40-minute essay. Please note that if you are applying to selective colleges, the essay should be considered “required”.

SAT Details:

Some students who take the SAT test will be randomly selected to take a 20-minute experimental section as their “5th” section (just after the Calculator Math section). The experimental section does NOT count toward your score. Only test-takers who qualify for extra time are exempt from the section. Please note that if you are applying to selective colleges, the essay should be considered “required”.