The ACT’s Upcoming Transformation: Key Changes and What Stays the Same for 2025

The ACT is gearing up for an exciting transformation to be rolled out in Fall 2025. Here are some of the answers to the questions we’ve received from students so far.

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What Stays the Same?

The core content of the ACT will largely remain the same, ensuring that current preparation strategies remain effective for both versions of the test. As a result, students can continue to rely on traditional study methods to prepare for the exam, regardless of the format they select.

Additionally, the ACT will continue using its familiar 1-36 scoring scale for both section and composite scores, providing a consistent and well-established framework for evaluating student performance. This consistency in scoring is crucial for students, as it offers a stable reference point for understanding their results. The continued use of the 1-36 score scale across both the traditional and new formats also means that students can easily compare their scores, regardless of the version of the test they take. For instance, a score of 30 on the ACT will hold the same significance, whether the student takes the Classic or the new version.

The inclusion of the optional Writing (essay) section in the new format also reflects the test’s commitment to offering students the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills. However, many colleges do not place significant emphasis on this section, so it remains optional for those who wish to take it.

In contrast to the SAT, the ACT will maintain its linear testing structure, ensuring that the testing experience remains straightforward and predictable for students. This approach contrasts with the more complex, adaptive format of the SAT, allowing students to engage with the exam in a way that is both simple and direct.

In conclusion, the changes to the ACT exam, while incorporating new formats, are designed to maintain the same level of accessibility, consistency, and simplicity that has long defined the test. The retention of core elements, such as the paper-based option, familiar scoring system, and the linear testing structure, ensures that students can continue to prepare effectively and feel confident in their results.

The ACT exam continues to provide students with flexibility in their testing options by allowing them to choose between a paper-based and a digital format. This option ensures that the exam remains accessible to all students, regardless of technological preferences or limitations.

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What Changes Will Occur?

The redesigned ACT exam offers students several changes aimed at improving their overall testing experience and enhancing performance. One of the key changes is a slight increase in the time allotted for each question, which will allow students to carefully consider their responses and potentially improve their performance. In addition, the overall number of questions has been reduced by 44, making the test more streamlined and manageable, helping to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed during the exam.

Math questions in the new format will now have only four answer choices instead of the previous five, simplifying the decision-making process for students and potentially reducing confusion. In the reading section, certain passages have been shortened, which is expected to enhance both focus and comprehension, as students will have less material to process while still being tested on their ability to understand and analyze texts.

While the total testing time has been reduced, the core sections of the exam will now take just 2 hours and 5 minutes, which is a more concise timeframe than in previous versions. However, including the science section will extend the testing time to 2 hours and 40 minutes, allowing students to choose whether they want to tackle this section based on their individual strengths and goals. The science section will now be optional, giving students more flexibility in how they approach the exam. This change means that colleges will independently determine how to assess the importance of this section, allowing them to tailor their admissions criteria to their specific needs.

Another significant change is the elimination of the previously included 20-minute field-test section, which was designed to include unscored questions used for research purposes. In the new format, unscored questions will be incorporated into the main sections of the test, and students will not be able to identify which questions are scored and which are not. This eliminates the potential confusion that often arose from the inclusion of a separate field-test section.

As of February 2025, many colleges have yet to finalize their policies regarding how they will assess the new format. However, one key change is the adjustment in how the composite score will be calculated. The new composite score will now be based on the English, reading, and math sections, with science being reported separately. This change allows students to focus their preparation and testing strategies on the sections that will contribute to their composite score, while also giving them the flexibility to decide how much emphasis to place on the science section.

In conclusion, the revisions to the ACT exam are designed to streamline the testing process, reduce stress, and give students greater control over how they approach the test. With changes such as more time per question, fewer questions, simplified answer choices, and the option to skip the science section, the exam is more flexible and manageable than ever. These changes provide students with the opportunity to strategize and tailor their approach to best align with their strengths and goals, while also allowing colleges to assess applicants in a way that suits their specific needs.

‍What will the old and new versions of the test be called?

The ACT will introduce two distinct versions of the exam to better cater to the varying needs of students. The current version of the test will now be referred to as the “Classic” ACT, while the newly redesigned, shorter format will be called the “Core” ACT. This division allows students to choose the version that best aligns with their individual preferences and testing requirements. The Classic ACT will maintain its traditional structure, offering the familiar format and length that many students have come to expect. Meanwhile, the Core ACT will provide a more concise testing experience, reducing the overall time and number of questions, which may appeal to students seeking a more streamlined approach. By offering these two distinct options, the ACT ensures that all students can select the version of the exam that best suits their strengths and goals.

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Is the ACT Shifting to Digital Only?

Absolutely not. The National versions of the ACT will keep both paper and digital formats, ensuring flexibility for all students. Both the paper and online tests will be identical in content and format, and neither version will adjust based on a student's performance. The ACT will remain a linear exam, unlike the SAT, which adapts to student performance during the test.

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Which ACT Version is Right for You?

We highly recommend that students choose the Classic paper version of the ACT and consider including the science section. The tactile experience of marking up the paper—such as underlining key information in reading passages and solving math problems directly on the test—can enhance focus and comprehension. This hands-on approach helps students engage with the material more effectively. Additionally, marking up the science section can aid in analyzing complex data and organizing thoughts. Overall, the Classic paper test offers a more interactive and controlled experience that can improve performance.

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What Will Happen to Superscoring?

Superscoring, where a new composite score is pieced together from a student’s highest section scores, may become more intricate as the science section becomes optional. Starting in September 2025 or when a student first takes the Core ACT online, the new Superscore Report will present a composite score exclusively based on English, reading, and math. Colleges will ultimately decide what scores to request from students, allowing for individualized submission strategies.

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What Will Colleges See Upon Score Submission?

When ACT reports scores, all section results will be included, regardless of the test version chosen. For those taking the test before April 2025, composite scores will average all sections: English, math, reading, and science. However, for those testing on computers starting April 2025 or utilizing any format from September 2025 onwards, the composite score will reflect averages of English, math, and reading only, with science reported distinctly. This clarity empowers students to present their best performances to colleges while understanding how scores will be viewed.

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Our Recommendations

We believe that the ACT remains a crucial tool for high school students as they prepare for college readiness. Many Colleges  remain undecided on their policies as of February 2025. Importantly, the new composite score will be drawn from English, reading, and math, with science reported separately, so students can strategize their testing approach.

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