DESIGNED FOR YOUR SUCCESS

The new enhanced ACT is built for you -
shorter test, more time per question, and
more flexibility to showcase your strengths.


The #1 taken college admissions test in nearly half of U.S. states.

What’s Better About the Enhanced ACT?

The enhanced ACT is the most streamlined and flexible test ever! It's shorter, smarter, and built to help you succeed.

 
  • You’ll finish faster and feel less rushed thanks to the shortest test times yet — and more time to think through each question.
  • It’s a calmer, more focused experience that helps you stay sharp from start to finish. 
  • The enhanced ACT is designed to reduce pressure, give you more control, and support your college goals — without sacrificing what colleges expect.

What’s Changing, What’s Staying the Same, and Why It Matters
 


What's Changing What's Staying the Same How This Helps You
Shorter test — 75 fewer minutes and 44 fewer questions. Core content and subject areas remain the same. Less time in the test center, more time back in your day.
More time per question. Same skills and knowledge assessed. You can slow down, think clearly, and do your best.
Math section now has 4 answer choices instead of 5. Other sections already had 4 choices. Keeps things consistent and reduces decision fatigue.
Shorter reading passages. Reading section still measures comprehension and analysis. Helps reduce mental fatigue while keeping the same standards.
Optional science and writing sections. Colleges still receive a comprehensive ACT score. You can choose what to take based on your goals and strengths.
  Both paper and online tests still offered. Choose the test format that works best for your strengths.
  Superscoring still supported. ACT score scale (1–36) and benchmarks remain unchanged. You can build your best Composite score over multiple tests.

“I feel like [having more time] significantly helped. When I would do practice tests, I was getting on the edge of the time every single time. This time I had time to review almost every section.”

- Noah Clements, 17, North Caldwell, NJ 

Ready to Start Prepping?

Is Writing Right for You?

The writing section may be optional, but if writing is a strength or you're still exploring college options, it's worth considering.

  • Stand out: A strong writing score showcases your reasoning and communication skills. 
  • Support your app: It can strengthen your college application, especially if your grades in English classes aren’t as strong.
  • Keep doors open: Some schools still require or recommend the ACT writing test. 

Thinking About Science?

The science section is now optional, but there are good reasons to keep it on your test. 

  • Boost your STEM path: A strong science score can make your application stand out for competitive STEM majors. 
  • Balance your profile: If your science grades aren’t your strongest, a great ACT science score can show your potential. 
  • Stay flexible: Some colleges may require or prefer a science score — even if it’s not listed upfront. Check your colleges list to make sure you meet specific requirements.

“When I signed up, I was a little nervous, so when I saw that I had the option [whether or not to take science], I loved it because I didn’t have to be forced to take something that I didn’t want to.”

- Brooklyn Dismuke, 11th grade, Dallas, TX

“I just kind of wanted to take science because if I didn’t, it’d be like the same thing as taking the SAT. I want to go into medicine.”

- Addison Barnes, 11th grade, Mansfield, TX  

Discover All the Ways to Make it Yours

Whether you’re aiming for a faster finish, more time to think, or a format that fits your strengths, the enhanced ACT is built to meet you where you are. Here’s how the updates come together to create a smarter, more personalized path forward. 
 

Which ACT Options Are Right for You? 

I want to... You should take... Why it helps...
Finish faster and reduce testing fatigue.
 The ACT without optional sections.
 Fewer questions and shorter passages help you stay focused and finish strong.
Take the test on a computer.
 Online ACT
 Digital testing gives you a modern, screen-and-keyboard testing experience.
Stick with paper and pencil.
 Paper ACT 
 Familiarity counts. The paper ACT offers a classic format well-known to all.
Apply to competitive STEM majors.
 ACT with the science section.
 Shows your scientific reasoning skills and supports STEM applications. 
Keep all my college options open.
 ACT with science and/or writing sections.
 Some colleges may require or prefer these sections.
Focus on my strengths and skip what I don’t need.
 ACT without optional sections. 
 Optional science and writing let you test in the way that plays to your skills.
Showcase my writing ability.
 ACT with the writing section. 
 Demonstrates your communication and argument-building skills.
Take control of my test experience.
 The ACT 
 The test is more flexible than ever — you decide what works best for you.

Ready to Register?

ACT Test Enhancements FAQs

The timeline for releasing the enhanced ACT test is as follows:

  • For ACT National (Saturday) online testing — April 2025.
  • For ACT National (Saturday) paper and International testing — September 2025.
  • For ACT State and District (School Day) Testing, online and paper — Spring 2026 (at the beginning of the testing window, in February 2026). States and districts will also have flexibility to test over multiple days rather than just one day.
  • ACT Composite score calculations will change for a small number of students (those electing to take National online testing in April, June, and July 2025) in spring 2025, and for ALL remaining students (National paper and pencil, International, and fall State and District test takers starting on September 1, 2025.) 
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Yes!

Starting in April 2025, students who choose to take the online ACT test will have their ACT Superscore calculated using a new method that includes only English, math, and reading. For everyone else, this change will take effect in September 2025. We’ll continue to show your highest scores for each subject section along with the test date, but your Composite score on your Superscore report will be based on the new English, math, and reading. Your highest section test scores can come from ANY test event, whether it was on the legacy blueprint or the enhanced ACT.

This means a student who got their highest English their first time testing and on a legacy administration, their highest math on their second legacy administration, and their highest reading on the new enhanced ACT, would see those highest scores used to calculate their ACT Superscore Composite after the new enhanced ACT administration. The science score would be used to calculate the STEM score along with math but would not be used in the ACT Superscore Composite calculation.

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... receiving these same benefits? 

Yes. The enhancements will become available based on the timeline above regardless of accommodation status.  

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ACT is committed to providing a high-quality science section for anyone who chooses to take it.

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Students planning to major in science or a STEM field or take science courses in college should consider taking the science section since those who have math and science scores will still receive a STEM score.

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That depends. On the ACT, students have the flexibility to choose whether to take science or writing, and whether to take the test using pencil and paper or online. These choices affect your test day experience.  Let’s break it down!

  • If students take just the English, math and reading subjects, the testing time, not including the transition period between sections, is two hours and five minutes. The tests will go like this:
    • English: 35-minute section with 50 questions (around 42 seconds per item) 
    • Math: 50-minute section with 45 items (around one minute and seven seconds per item) 
    • Reading: 40-minute section with 36 items (around one minute and seven seconds per item) 

There will be a short transition period between each of these sections. Once these three sections are completed, there will be a dismissal, and anyone who has not chosen to add either science or writing will have their materials collected and will be dismissed. 

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If a student decides to take the ACT test with science or writing (or both) added, they will remain in the room quietly while others are dismissed. There will be a short break to allow them to get up and stretch their legs, after which they will return to their seat. If a student is taking science, they will need their test booklet and answer sheet. If a student is taking writing, the test administrator will collect their booklet and provide them with writing materials. Both science and writing will be 40 minutes and will be given in the same room. The tests will consist of:

  • Science: 40-minute section with 40 questions (around one minute per item) 
  • Writing: 40-minute section with one writing prompt 

 

Following the 40-minute session, there will be a short break with materials collection. Anyone who is only taking science in addition to English, math, and reading, and anyone who completed writing, should now be done, and will be dismissed following document collection. Anyone who is taking writing in the second additional 40-minute section will have a short break before beginning the writing portion.  

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Yes. The new ACT Composite score will be calculated using your English, math, and reading scores. 

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No.

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Test Number of Questions Timing (Standard Time) Reporting Categories
English 50 35

Production of Writing (38-43%)

Knowledge of Language (18-23%)

Conventions of Standard English (38-43%)

Field test, embedded (20%)
Mathematics 45 50

Preparing for higher math (80%)

  • Number & Quantity (10-12%)
  • Algebra (17-20%)
  • Functions (17-20%)
  • Geometry (17-20%)
  • Statistics & Probability (12-15%)

Integrating essential skills (20%)

Modeling (>=20%)

Field test, embedded (9%)
Reading 36 40

Key ideas and details (44-52%)

Craft and structure (26-33%)

Integration of knowledge and ideas (19-26%)

Field test, embedded (25%)
Science 40 40

Interpretation of data (36-47%)

Scientific investigation (17-31%)

Evaluation of Models, inferences, and experimental results (22-36%)

Field test, embedded (15%)
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The ACT Fee Waiver will support the full flexibility of offerings. Eligible students can register for any option once registration for these new options becomes available.

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...and the ACT test without science? 

Yes. For full pricing details, visit https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/fees.html

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For a full-length practice online test that incorporates the enhancements made to the ACT, visit the bottom of this page. However, current practice tests and available ACT test prep materials are still great for preparing because there has been no significant change in the types of knowledge and skills measured by the ACT test with the enhancements.

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No. The ACT will remain a linear test, with all students having the same chance to show their best selves from the beginning to the end of the test session.

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Starting in April 2025, students who choose to take the online ACT test will have their ACT Superscore calculated using the new method incorporating English, math, and reading. For everyone else, this change will happen in September 2025. We'll still show your highest scores for each subject with the test date, but the Composite score will be based on the new English, math and reading calculation.

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No. Scores will still be delivered within the regular two-to eight-week window. Some examinees who participate in special studies conducted by ACT will be made aware of adjustments to their scoring timeframe and will opt in during registration.

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...for the enhanced ACT? 

ACT will move to an embedded field-testing model as a part of the enhancements. Field test questions are regular, high-quality questions that ACT is considering for future tests to count as part of a student's score. In the past, ACT used the “5th test” in the ACT National (Saturday) market only to test questions and ensure that students are able to understand and answer those questions.

Field testing is a critical part of ALL high-stakes testing, as it allows ACT to ensure that the questions perform as expected and perform well in all demographic subgroups. Field test questions do not count toward a student’s score. Students will NOT know which questions are field test questions on test day — the questions will be integrated into the operational questions and will NOT be located in the same spots each time. For passage-based sections, one of the passages and the associated questions will be field tested, which leads to a higher percentage of field test questions in those sections.

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Yes, we are working with Wiley and are looking forward to putting out both the red book AND the four section guides.  The red book will be available this spring with the section guides available over the summer and into the fall. Be sure to check this link.

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You can find complete details for ACT National Test dates here.

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ACT is actively developing capabilities that allow examinees to bring their own devices during National testing. We are hoping to fully enable the support for this option in the 2025-26 testing year for National testing.

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continue to be available for certain ACT National Test dates? 

ACT will continue making student tests available with student responses during certain administrations. Those reports will NOT include field test questions, only questions that were used in the calculation of a student’s score. The final date for the 2024-25 school year was February 2025, prior to the enhancement’s release. Eligible dates for next year are Saturday tests in October 2025, April 2026, and June 2026. For details, visit https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/request-a-copy-of-qa.html

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Earning a good score on the ACT science section can make you a more competitive applicant, especially for STEM programs. Many colleges may still require or recommend this score, particularly those with strong science or engineering programs. However, requirements can vary widely by school and program, so it’s important to research the specific admissions criteria for each college you’re applying to. 

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Information on Enhancements for Educators and Administrators