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Exam Timer
A free exam timer and test timer for practice under real time limits. Time the ACT section by section, a class test of any length or your own sections with breaks between them, and every section goes to your study log.
Sections 2h 45m of testing
- English 35m
- Math 50m
- Break 15m
- Reading 40m
- Science 40m
Choose a section to start from it.
The timer is running another page’s session. Reset it to start this exam.
This browser is blocking site storage, so sessions can’t be saved here.
Tip: keep your phone in another room until the last section ends.
01 ACT
ACT timer: sections and breaks
Since the 2025–26 test dates the ACT is shorter, and science is optional, like writing. English, math and reading make up the Composite score. ACT schedules a short break after math, the second test (its practice guide says 10 to 15 minutes; the timer gives you 15), and 5 minutes before the essay.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35m |
| Math | 45 | 50m |
| Break | — | 10m–15m |
| Reading | 36 | 40m |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40m |
| Break before writing | — | 5m |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40m |
Checked against ACT’s test day page and its guide Preparing for the ACT Test on Oct 8, 2026.
02 Your tests
A class test or your own sections
Class test is a single countdown for a quiz or a test in class: set the length and press Start. Showing the time to the whole class? The full screen timer fills a projector with a countdown big enough for the back row. Custom is for anything with parts, like a mock final with a reading period, two papers with a break, or a timed essay after a multiple-choice part. Each section is saved on its own, so you see where the time went.
Preparing for AP Exams or the SAT? The AP exam timer and the SAT timer have their sections set up already, and the exam study planner spreads your review over the days before the test.
ACT is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with Study Tally and does not endorse it.
03 How to
How to use the exam timer
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Choose what to time
Pick the ACT, a class test or Custom in the list at the top of the timer.
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Set it up
For the ACT, turn Science and Writing on or off. For a class test, set the length your teacher gives you. For Custom, edit the sections: a name and a length for each, with breaks where you want them.
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Press Start, or hit Space
Sections run back to back, and a break starts as soon as the section before it ends. After a break, the next section waits for you to press Start.
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End early or pause
End section saves the time you took and moves on; Pause stops the clock while you deal with an interruption.
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Look back at your times
Every section goes to your study log. After the last one, Copy as text lists the time of each section.
04 FAQ
Questions about the exam timer
How long is the ACT?
English, math and reading take 2 hours 5 minutes of testing. With the optional science section it is 2 hours 45 minutes, and the optional writing test adds 40 minutes. Short breaks come on top.
Can I use it as a test timer for a class test?
Yes. Choose Class test and set the length from 5 minutes to 4 hours. It is one countdown with a bell at the end, and the time you spent is saved to your log.
Can I set up my own sections?
Yes. Choose Custom, then Edit sections: give each section a name and a length, add breaks between them and move them into order. The timer remembers them in this browser for next time.
What happens when a section ends?
The bell rings, the section is saved, and the next one starts right away, as on test day. After a break the timer waits instead, so the next section never starts without you.
Is this an official ACT timer?
No. Study Tally is an independent study site, not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT. The ACT timing comes from ACT’s own pages, checked on Oct 8, 2026.
05 Contents
More tools for studying
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- Focus Timer your own length
- Break Timer work and rest
- Reading Timer one book at a time
- Study Stopwatch count up
- Aesthetic Study Timer themes and sounds
- Flip Clock flipping digits
- Minimalist Timer just the time
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- AP Exam Timer AP sections
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- Study Tracker your hours
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- Time Blocking Planner week in blocks
- Homework Planner due dates
- Exam Study Planner plan to exam day
- Weekly Study Planner printable
- Grade Calculator weighted grades
- Final Grade Calculator what you need
- GPA Calculator 4.0 scale
- High School GPA Calculator honors and AP
- Cumulative GPA Calculator all semesters
- The Pomodoro Technique the guide
- Timer Widget Notion, sites, OBS