AST Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the AST exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 AST Exam Format at a Glance
60
Questions
55 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
📚 AST Topics to Study (40)
Geometry and Trigonometry · 7 cardsGeometry and Trigonometry · 7 cardsGeometry and Trigonometry · 7 cardsAlgebra and Functions · 6 cardsAlgebra and Functions · 6 cardsAlgebra and Functions · 6 cardsData Analysis and Statistics · 6 cardsData Analysis and Statistics · 6 cardsData Analysis and Statistics · 6 cardsEarth and Physical Science · 6 cardsEarth and Physical Science · 6 cardsEarth and Physical Science · 6 cardsEnglish Grammar and Usage · 6 cardsEnglish Grammar and Usage · 6 cardsEnglish Grammar and Usage · 6 cardsLiterary Analysis and Fiction · 6 cardsLiterary Analysis and Fiction · 6 cardsLiterary Analysis and Fiction · 6 cardsLogical Reasoning and Evidence · 6 cardsLogical Reasoning and Evidence · 6 cardsLogical Reasoning and Evidence · 6 cardsMathematics · 6 cardsMathematics · 6 cardsMathematics · 6 cardsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 cardsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 cardsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 cardsReading Comprehension · 6 cardsReading Comprehension · 6 cardsReading Comprehension · 6 cards
✍️ Sample AST Questions & Answers
1. When an author gives hints about what will happen later in the story, this technique is called:
✓ Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing uses clues or hints to build anticipation for future events.
2. What is the role of a counterargument in a persuasive essay?
✓ To acknowledge opposing views and refute them, strengthening the writer's position
Addressing and refuting counterarguments shows the writer is aware of other perspectives and strengthens their own argument's credibility.
3. In a data set of 9 numbers sorted in ascending order, which position is the median?
✓ 5th
For n = 9, the median is at position (9+1)/2 = 5th.
4. What is the slope of a line perpendicular to y = 2x + 5?
✓ −½
Perpendicular slopes are negative reciprocals; the negative reciprocal of 2 is −½.
5. Identify the correctly spelled word in the context of academic writing.
✓ occurrence
'Occurrence' is spelled with double 'c' and double 'r' followed by '-ence.'
6. A bar chart shows average rainfall for four cities. City B's bar is twice the height of City A's. What does this indicate?
✓ City B receives twice as much rainfall as City A.
Bar height directly represents the measured quantity; double the height means double the rainfall.
🎯 Free AST Practice Tests
Geometry and Trigonometry · 7 questionsGeometry and Trigonometry · 7 questionsGeometry and Trigonometry · 7 questionsEarth and Physical Science · 6 questionsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 questionsAlgebra and Functions · 6 questionsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 questionsAlgebra and Functions · 6 questionsPunctuation and Sentence Structure · 6 questionsEarth and Physical Science · 6 questions
📖 AST Guides & Articles
Your AST Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation