You can finish ACT Reading on time by giving each of the four passages about 10 minutes, answering questions in order of difficulty, and not letting one hard question eat your clock. Timing, not comprehension, is the number-one reason students lose Reading points, and the good news is that pacing is something you can train.
The math of ACT Reading timing
You have 40 minutes for 4 passages and 36 questions. That is about 10 minutes per passage, or roughly 67 seconds per question. Once you internalize that budget, you will instinctively know when to move on.
Set a per-passage checkpoint
Glance at the clock after each passage. If you are at 10 minutes for passage one, you are on pace; if you are at 13, adjust right away. Checkpoints help you avoid the worst-case scenario: leaving the final passage blank.
Answer easy questions first
Within a passage, do detail and line-reference questions first; they are fast and bankable. Save big-picture and inference questions for when you understand the passage better. Try not to spend two minutes on one question.
Have a plan for the hardest passage
Many students find the social-science or natural-science passages slowest. Know which passage types slow you down and consider saving that one for last so a tough start doesn't eat your clock.
Read faster without losing meaning
Speed comes from active reading, not skimming blindly. Train your pace with how to read faster for the ACT, then lock in a repeatable method from the best ACT Reading strategy.
Practice under the clock
Untimed practice builds comprehension but not pacing. Drill full, timed passages; thirty-six's ACT-style reading passages are built for exactly this, until 10 minutes per passage feels natural. Timing is a trainable skill, and you will get there with reps.
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.