Leave nothing blank. With a minute left, stop working new items and fill every remaining bubble. There is no penalty for a wrong guess. A single letter for the rest is in letter of the day.
Stop, then fill
Do not start a fresh hard item at 0:40. Guessing as a policy is in guessing on the ACT. Two-pass still applies until that last minute, in the two-pass method.
On the digital test the review screen shows what is still empty, in the flag-and-review loop.
The bottom line
A blank cannot be right. Fill every remaining item before time is called.
Start practicing
Start with a free diagnostic, then drill your weak spots with 15-question quizzes and track how you're doing across Reading, English, and Math. Compare plans whenever you're ready to go further.
This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.