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Changes to the ACT: A Shorter More Flexible Test Coming in 2025
22/07/2024•11 minute read
Jump To
Key Changes
What's Not Changing
Snapshot of ACT Changes
Important Reminders
Curious about the upcoming changes to the ACT? This post covers everything you need to know. Learn about the shift to a shorter test, the optional science section, and how these updates will impact your test-taking strategy, test-day experience, and how tests are scored. Whether you're preparing for college admissions or just staying informed, this guide will get you quickly up to speed on what's changing, and what's not, as the new ACT rolls out in 2025.
What’s Happening to the ACT Test?
Big news for college-bound students: ACT.org has announced significant changes to the ACT test, following in the tracks of a recent overhaul of the SAT by the College Board. The SAT went fully digital and was shortened by a third, and now the ACT is making its own adjustments.
Key Changes to the ACT
Starting in spring 2025 for national online testing and spring 2026 for school-day testing, the ACT will undergo two major changes:
Change 1: The Science Test Becomes Optional
Currently, the ACT consists of four sections: English, reading, math, and science. The Composite Score is the average of these four sections. With the new changes, the science test will become optional, similar to the existing optional writing test.
- New Composite Score: The Composite Score will now be based on just three sections: English, reading, and math.
- Optional Science: Students can still choose to take the science test, but its score will be reported separately, not included in the Composite Score.
“This means students can choose to take the ACT, the ACT plus Science, the ACT plus Writing, or the ACT plus Science and Writing. With this flexibility, students can focus on their strengths and showcase their abilities in the best possible way.”
- Janet Goodwin, CEO, ACT
Change 2: A Shorter, More Manageable Test
The ACT will also be shortened by about one-third, reducing the test time from 3 hours to approximately 2 hours. This change aims to make the test more manageable and less fatiguing for students.
- Shorter Passages: The reading and English sections will feature shorter passages.
- Fewer Questions: Each section will have fewer questions, giving students more time per question.
All of this means that after the changes students will have a shorter overall test and also more time per question, slowing the pace of the ACT, known for its stringent time constraints, and bringing the ACT more on par with the SAT in this regard.
“This change is designed to make the testing experience more manageable for students, enabling them to perform at their best without the fatigue that often accompanies longer exams.”
- Janet Goodwin, CEO, ACT
What's Not Changing
- Scaled Scores: Scoring on a scale of 1–to–36 remains the same.
- Format Options: You can still choose to take the digital version (online ACT) or the pen and paper version. The requirement for non-US test takers to take the online version will also remain as is.
- Superscore Options: Many schools allow students to superscore the Composite ACT score they report for admissions, if they take two or more attempts at the ACT. This requires reporting all the test scores from any of the relevant attempts being used for the superscore, as always. The only change to the ACT superscore reporting is that science will now be excluded, as it becomes an optional test.
Before & After Snapshot
The table below captures all the key changes you can expect based on the ACT's recent announcements.
SNAPSHOT OF ACT CHANGES
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Tests | English, reading, math, science | English, reading, math |
| Optional Tests | Writing | Writing, science |
| Length of Test Session | ~3 hours | ~2 hours |
| Time Per Question | Less time per question | More time per question |
| Scoring | Composite Score based on average of English, reading, math, science scores Scale from 1–to–36 | Composite Score based on average of English, reading, math scores Scale from 1–to–36 |
| Format | Option to take pen and paper ACT -OR- digital ACT Paper and digital versions are the same | No change |
| Test Registration Fees | ACT without writing: $69 ACT with writing: $94 | ACT without writing and without science: may cost less |
Important Reminders
When Will the Changes Happen?
The new ACT format will roll out in two phases:
- Spring 2025: National Online Testing
- Spring 2026: School-day Testing
Test Formats
- Same Format Options: Students can still choose between the newer online (digital) version of the ACT and the paper-and-pencil ACT. Unlike the SAT, the ACT's online test will remain fully linear, and not adaptive, and the paper and online versions will continue to mirror one another.
- New Options: The science test is no longer required, becoming an optional test along with the optional writing test. When registering for the ACT students can opt to include the science test, the writing test, or both the science and writing test.
Scoring
- Composite Score: The new Composite Score will be based on English, reading, and Mmath, still on a 36-point scale.
- Independent Scores: Scores for the optional science and writing tests will be reported separately, and not included in your ACT Composite Score.
Time Per Question
- More Time: The new format will allow more time per question. While we don’t know the specifics, presumably the changes in time per question will make the new ACT more on par with the SAT in terms of time per question.
Optional Sections
- Science and Writing: Both will be optional and reported as stand-alone scores.
Superscoring
- No Changes: Superscoring policies remain the same, but will only include the core sections, English, reading, math, and excluding science.
Test Fees
- Potential Reduction: While not officially announced, ACT CEO Janet Goodwin hinted that the cost of the exam might go down in an email to reporters at CNN. Keep in mind, however, that if you opt to include science and/or writing, you should expect additional fees for each additional test.
More ACT Resources
Have more questions about the ACT? Check out these resources from our Crimson experts:
What Is the ACT? Key Insights for College Admissions
Take the ACT? 6 Important Reasons Why You Should
What Is a Good ACT Score for Top Universities in 2024?
How Many Times Can You Take the ACT? Tips for Retakes, Score Reporting, Scheduling, and More
Free Online Mini-ACT Practice Test
Have more questions about college admissions? Our Crimson experts have the answers.
Crimson strategists use a team approach to support students with personalized guidance and feedback, providing support for all aspects of the college application journey, from extracurriculars, to college selection, to test prep, essays, and more. Now you can sign up for a free feedback session with a friendly strategist, for an analysis of your application profile or for other application questions.
Final Thoughts
Changes to the ACT are coming, but now you're ahead of the game. Designed to make the ACT more flexible and less stressful, the changes will also put the ACT on a more comparable footing, format-wise, with its rival standardized test the SAT.
Be sure to consider the anticipated ACT changes and implementation timeline as you craft and adjust your own test prep strategy, and stay tuned for more updates.
When you're ready to find out more about online ACT tutoring or what ACT score range to aim for, the Crimson network is here for you!
To explore testing, get free feedback on your admissions profile, or to learn more about our personalized approach, fantastic team members, and the benefits of joining the Crimson Education network, schedule your free consultation today.
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About the Author
Keith Nickolaus
Keith Nickolaus is a former educator with a passion for languages, literature, and lifelong learning. After obtaining a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz and exploring university life in Paris, Keith earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and then worked for 16 years in K12 education before setting up shop as a freelance writer.
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