ACT Math · 24% of the test
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra covers operations on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers; ratios and percentages; basic statistics; and elementary probability.
What's actually tested
Pre-Algebra is the largest single category on the ACT math section by item count. Most items appear early in the section and are scored at the easy or low-medium band. They reward speed and accuracy on routine computation more than mathematical insight.
Subtopics
Click any subtopic to see filed practice questions, worked solutions, and a short tactical guide.
Fractions, decimals, and integers
Operations on fractions, decimals, and integer arithmetic.
Ratios, proportions, and percentages
Setting up proportions and percent computations.
Mean, median, mode, and range
Measures of center and spread on small data sets.
Elementary probability
Counting outcomes and computing simple probabilities.
Sample practice questions in this topic
- Easy Fractions, decimals, and integers If 8x − 5 = -21, what is the value of x?
- Easy Fractions, decimals, and integers If 5x + 10 = 15, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 3x + 4 = -23, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 9x + 1 = -89, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 7x + 2 = 72, what is the value of x?
- Hard Fractions, decimals, and integers If 8x − 9 = 7, what is the value of x?
- Easy Fractions, decimals, and integers If 6x + 11 = 47, what is the value of x?
- Easy Fractions, decimals, and integers If 4x + 8 = 8, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 7x − 1 = 69, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 7x − 1 = -64, what is the value of x?
- Medium Fractions, decimals, and integers If 9x − 9 = -18, what is the value of x?
- Hard Fractions, decimals, and integers If 8x + 4 = -20, what is the value of x?
See all 56 questions in Pre-Algebra →
How students lose points here
Decimal placement errors, forgetting order of operations on a mixed expression, and computing percent change from the wrong base. The good news: nearly every common mistake on this topic comes from one of three or four recurring patterns. Spend an hour reviewing those patterns and your accuracy on this topic typically jumps two or three percentage points immediately, which on a balanced test is worth ten to twenty scaled score points depending on your band.
How to study this topic
These items are pacing items as much as content items. Drill them until you can clear them at 30 seconds each so you bank time for the harder items at the back of the section. A reasonable session looks like fifteen practice items, untimed, with you reading the worked solution after every one — even the questions you got right, because being right by accident teaches nothing. After two or three such sessions, attempt a timed mini-set of ten items. If your accuracy stays above 80%, move on. If it doesn't, drill the lowest-accuracy subtopic for another session before you push forward.