Five minutes left in Reading: finish the current question, then guess the rest of that passage and any passage you have not opened. The section-wide version is in five minutes left.
Do not start a fourth passage cold
Line-reference leftovers can still be grabbed. A brand-new passage cannot. Guessing the blanks is in the no-blank rule. Starting with your strongest passage earlier is in start with your strongest passage.
A letter of the day is in letter of the day.
The bottom line
No new passage at five minutes. Grab locators, then fill.
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.