Big changes are coming to the ACT, and they’re designed to make your testing experience better than ever. From shorter test times to more flexibility in how you test, these updates are all about helping you shine while staying true to the high standards colleges expect.
Curious about the differences? Let’s dive in!
What's Changing?
The ACT is introducing several enhancements designed to improve your testing experience:
- Shorter Test Duration
- The test time is being reduced from 195 minutes to 125 minutes, with 44 fewer questions overall.
- You’ll also get more time per question, so you can think carefully without feeling rushed.
- Fewer Answer Choices in Math
- Questions in the math section will now have four answers instead of five, making it easier to decide and boosting your chances of choosing the correct answer.
- Optional Science Section
- Science is now optional! If it’s not relevant to your plans after high school, you can skip it.
- Updated Composite Score
- Your Composite score will now average the English, math, and reading sections.
- If you opt in to the science section, your report will now also include a separate science and STEM score, giving you a complete view of your strengths.
What's Not Changing
While these updates make the ACT more flexible, the core purpose and trusted structure of the test remain the same:
- The ACT scale will remain 1-36 with no changes to ACT Benchmarks or state-specific achievement standards.
- You’ll still be tested on English, math, and reading, with science and writing as optional.
- Scores from tests taken prior to the rollout of the new Composite score will not change.
- Colleges will continue to rely on the ACT to assess your academic readiness and place you in the right courses.
- You can choose between online or paper testing, letting you test in the format you’re most comfortable with.
Why These Changes?
Students like you told us what you needed, and we took that feedback seriously. The result? A test that’s less overwhelming, but still upholds the integrity that institutions of higher education rely on.
Here’s what we’ve heard:
- “The test is too long. I need more time!” That’s why the new ACT is shorter. You’ll have more time per question to think carefully through your answers without feeling rushed.
- “The science section scares me.” Students who don’t need to take the science section can now skip it. On the other hand, students interested in STEM now will continue to get scoring options to showcase their skills. The choice is yours!
- “I don’t want to test on a computer. I still want paper!” Flexibility is key, so you can pick the format that allows you to perform your best.
ACT’s goal is simple: to help you succeed in a way that works for you. With these enhancements, you’ll have more control, less stress, and a customizable testing experience that’s built with your unique needs in mind.
When Will These Changes Happen?
ACT enhancements will roll out in three phases:
- April 2025: All changes will roll out for ACT National online testers.
- September 2025: All changes will roll out for ACT National paper and international testers.
- Spring 2026: Changes will begin to roll out for State and District testers.
So, if you’re eager to take the new and improved ACT before September 2025, keep in mind that you’ll need to register for an ACT National online test with a test date in April 2025 or later! Paper tests taken during this time will not include test enhancements.
Have more questions? Check out our ACT Test Enhancements web page for more information, including our helpful list of FAQs.
