ACT Changes

With the creation of the Digital SAT, the ACT also announced modifications!

Important Note: Rising seniors will not be affected by these changes!

Here’s a short summary:

 What’s changing?

The Science section will now be optional. It is highly likely, however, that selective colleges will still require it. Students who choose to take the Science section will receive a stand-alone score for that section in addition to a STEM score that combines the math and science sections. 

The ACT will be significantly shorter.  

 The online version of ACT will be reduced by up to one-third.

• The new test duration will be just over two hours, slightly shorter than the digital SAT.
• Reading and English sections will have shorter passages and fewer questions (44 fewer overall).
• Students will have more time per question. This adjustment provides 22% more time per question compared to the current model, addressing concerns about time management.
• Further details are limited, but if the new online version mirrors the June pilot (with 44 fewer questions), it will give students 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete 171 questions.
• Experimental questions (formerly Section 5) will now be part of the regular sections, reducing overall testing time AND improving data.

What’s staying the same?

English, Reading, and Math will remain as core sections. These core sections will continue to be scored out of 36 points each, which will be averaged for the composite score.

Will there be Test Format Options?

• As of now, students can choose to take the online version or the paper-and-pencil version of the ACT.
•  It is unclear if the paper version will be shortened. Unofficial reports suggest the paper version will remain unchanged initially, keeping the current structure and mandatory science section. However, by September 2025, it is expected to align with the online version.

When will the changes take effect?

• The changes will be introduced first in April 2025 in the digital format ONLY.
• The changes will be incorporated into PAPER beginning in September 2025.
• The changes will be incorporated into school-day testing in Spring 2026.

Although the new ACT will still test students’ time management skills and require thorough preparation, it will no longer feel like the marathon it once was.
(ACT takers consistently comment that the test length makes it difficult to maintain focus until the end).

This announcement leaves us with numerous questions
The ACT has stated that they will not make the questions more difficult — they are simply giving students more time to complete them.

Will there be a bump in scores as a result? 
How will admission departments consider these scores vs. the old ACT scores?
Will colleges super score across old and new tests?
Will some colleges still require the Science section?
Will ACT provide a concordance chart for old scores vs. new ones?
All of this remains to be seen. Stay tuned.