What’s Changing with the New ACT Format?
The test will be shorter
The news that students are most likely to be happy about is that the ACT is shortening its test duration to 2 hours, down from the current 3 hours. The new format will have 171 questions instead of 215, making the test more manageable and helping students maintain their focus and perform better.
Shorter Passages and More Time Per Question
The English and Reading sections will feature shorter passages, fewer questions per passage, and more time allotted for each question. These adjustments aim to reduce student pressure and fatigue and the ACT says this will help students more time to provide thoughtful responses.
The Science Section will become optional
To add more flexibility, the ACT will change the science section to optional. The decision to make it optional marks a significant shift from its original format. This change allows the ACT to align more closely with other standardized tests while still offering students interested in STEM an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Students will be able to choose from the following test configurations:
- The core sections—English, Reading, and Math.
- Core sections plus optional Science.
- Core sections plus optional Writing.
- Core sections plus optional Science and Writing.
These changes are designed to give students more flexibility to highlight their strengths and abilities while preserving the core aspects of the exam.
What’s Staying the Same with the New ACT Format?
Scoring System
The scoring scale of 1–36 will remain the same. Student’s will still receive a composite score that averages their English, Reading, and Math scores, with separate scores for Science and/or Writing if they choose to sit those optional sections.
Testing Options
Students can still choose between taking the ACT in paper-and-pencil format or online, depending on their preference.
Optional Writing Section
The optional writing section will continue to be available for students who wish to demonstrate their writing skills.
Why the Changes?
In June 2024, ACT, Inc. piloted a shorter test format to better compete with the digital SAT. The announcement said that the changes were based on a “legacy of innovation and guided by feedback from students, educators, and experts in K-12 and higher education.”
The results led to a decision to move to a shortened format that is more comparable to the shortened SAT exam. This change aims to create a more balanced and less stressful testing experience.
When Will the New ACT Format Changes Take Effect?
Changes to National Online Testing begin in spring 2025
The new format will be introduced for school-day testing in spring 2026. This means the test dates on September 14, 2024, October 26, 2024, December 14, 2024, and February 8, 2025, will follow the current format. The new format will debut on April 13, 2025.
Changes for School-Day Testing Begin in Spring 2026
For school-day test dates, the new format will be introduced in Spring 2026.
What does this mean for student ACT Test Preparation?
For students planning to take the ACT after February 2025, it's crucial to use the latest and most effective preparation tools. The ACT is evolving, and so should the study strategy! That's why our trusted test preparation partner, Winward Academy, is already creating updated ACT prep tools tailored to the new exam format. These resources are designed to not only prepare students for the test but to engage them in a way that makes learning enjoyable and effective.
Curious to learn more about how MaiaLearning can supercharge student ACT prep? Contact us to discover how we help students achieve their highest scores!
What does this mean in the future?
This new modern look to the ACT seems like a win for students. With its shortened duration, reduced number of questions, more time per question, and flexible options, it is expected to improve their test taking experience. While the changes initially only apply to online tests, there may be a broader shift toward digital assessment, potentially affecting future paper-based tests.
You can find the ACT’s full announcement here.
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