The New ACT 2025 And Beyond for the Digital ACT
Decoding the 2025 ACT: Major Changes, Optional Science, and What You Need to Know
Significant changes are coming to the ACT® test in 2025! Designed with feedback from students and educators, these updates aim for a more flexible, less stressful testing experience. This guide covers everything you need to know about what's changing, what's staying the same, and how it affects you.
When is the ACT Changing? (Timeline)
The latest changes to the ACT go into effect at different times depending on where and how test-takers plan to take the exam. Here’s a breakdown of the rollout:
Infographic 1: ACT 2025 Rollout Timeline
-
April 2025
Enhancements launch for ACT National Online (Saturday tests). Optional Science available online.
-
September 2025
Enhancements launch for ALL ACT National Saturday tests (Online & Paper). Optional Science available for both.
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Spring 2026
Enhanced options become available for School/District testing.
When will the new ACT test registration become available?
Registration is currently open for the April, June, and July 2025 ACT test dates. Students can choose to test on paper for these dates or they can choose to test online. If testing online, they will see the enhancements and will have the options to test with or without science.
Overview: What's Changing vs. What's Staying the Same
Let's break down the key modifications and the core elements that remain consistent.
Key Changes in 2025
- Overall shorter testing time
- Reduced number of questions
- More time allowed per question
- Math answer choices reduced (5 to 4)
- Science section becomes optional
- New Composite Score (Eng, Math, Reading)
- New separate Science & STEM scores (if Sci taken)
Staying the Same
- Score scale (1-36)
- Score meaning remains consistent
- Linear assessment (NOT adaptive)
- Multiple-choice questions (Eng, Math, Read, Sci)
- Optional Writing section format
- Choice of paper or online (National tests)
Deep Dive into the Changes
Reduced Testing Time & New Structure
One of the most significant changes is the reduction in overall testing time. The core ACT (English, Reading, Math) will shorten from approximately 195 minutes to 125 minutes. This means fewer questions per section but more time allowed per question, aiming to reduce test anxiety and pressure.
Infographic 3: New ACT Test Structure (2025 Onwards)
| ACT Section | Number of Questions/Tasks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 questions (includes 10 unscored field test questions) | 35 minutes |
| Reading | 36 questions (includes 9 unscored field test questions) | 40 minutes |
| Math | 45 questions (includes 4 unscored field test questions) | 50 minutes |
| Science (Optional) | 40 questions (includes 6 unscored field test questions) | 40 minutes |
| Writing (Optional) | 1 task | 40 minutes |
- Standard ACT (English, Reading, Math): 125 minutes
- + Optional Science OR Writing section: 165 minutes
- + Optional Science AND Writing sections: 205 minutes
Specific Question Changes
The new ACT will also debut some changes to questions in most sections, focusing on clarity and alignment with college readiness skills.
Infographic 4: Section-Specific Enhancements
📖English
- Adding a statement of the question for each item.
- Reducing the length of some English passages.
- Adding an argumentative essay and corresponding questions.
👓Reading
- Reducing the length of some reading passages.
- Increasing the percentage of questions aligned to the Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (IKI) reporting category.
🧮Math
- Reducing the number of answer choices in math from 5 to 4.
- Reducing the number of questions aligned to the Integrating Essential Skills reporting category.
- Reducing the number of questions aligned to advanced topics (higher grade level items).
- Reducing the number of questions with context (require longer time to read).
🧪Science (Optional)
- Ensuring at least one passage per exam addresses an engineering and design topic.
- Increasing the number of questions requiring scientific background knowledge (DCI).
✍️Writing (Optional)
- No planned changes.
Science Optional
A critical change offering more student control is making the Science section optional, similar to the current Writing section. All test-takers will complete the English, Math, and Reading sections, which determine the Composite Score.
If a student chooses to take the Science section, the score will appear separately on the report and contribute to a new STEM score (Science + Math), but it will *not* be factored into the main Composite Score.
Important: While optional, some colleges and universities may still require or recommend an ACT Science score, especially for STEM programs. Always check the specific requirements of the schools you're applying to. Students planning STEM majors are highly encouraged to take the Science section.
Scoring Updates
While the 1-36 scale remains, there are minor scoring changes. Scores will still typically be delivered within 2-8 weeks. The key updates are the new Composite Score calculation and the addition of separate Science and STEM scores for those who opt-in.
Infographic 5: Understanding Your 2025 ACT Score Report
New Composite Score Calculation
The new Composite Score, calculated using only English, Math, and Reading scores (averaged), begins with the April, June, and July 2025 online National (Saturday) tests. Starting in September 2025, this new calculation method will apply to ALL ACT test formats (online and paper).
Available ACT Versions in 2025
With the introduction of optional Science, students will have four main ACT configurations to choose from starting in 2025:
Infographic 6: Choose Your ACT Test (Post-2025)
Standard ACT
(English, Math, Reading)
ACT + Science
(Eng, Math, Read, Sci)
ACT + Writing
(Eng, Math, Read, Wri)
ACT + Science & Writing
(Eng, Math, Read, Sci, Wri)
Why is the ACT Changing?
The ACT is evolving based on valuable feedback from students and educators. The primary goals behind these changes include:
- Enhancing the Testing Experience: Reducing overall test length and providing more time per question aims to lessen student stress.
- Increasing Flexibility & Control: Optional Science and Writing sections give students more autonomy over their test.
- Potential Cost Reduction: Offering a standard test (Eng, Math, Read) for a college-reportable composite score might lower the cost barrier for some students.
- Modernization: Aligning the test format and options with current educational needs and expectations.
- Better Alignment: Refining questions to better measure college readiness skills.
How to Study for the New ACT
Good news! Your current study methods are still highly relevant. Because the core knowledge and skills measured remain the same, existing ACT prep materials and practice tests are valuable resources.
ACT has released a new, full-length practice test reflecting the enhancements, available on their website. Familiarizing yourself with the new timing and slightly different question formats (like 4 answer choices in Math) will be key.
The Test Advantage offers resources to help you prepare:
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ACT Test Changes FAQs
Here are answers to common questions about the 2025 ACT updates:
Is there a cost difference between the ACT with and without science?
Yes. Based on initial information, the “core” ACT (English, Math, Reading) costs $65, while the ACT including the Science section costs $69. Fee waiver programs will continue to apply. Pricing for the 2025-2026 testing year will be confirmed when registration opens later in 2025.
Will colleges require applicants to provide an ACT science score?
It will vary by institution. Many colleges, especially those with strong STEM programs, may continue to require or recommend the ACT Science score. Earning a good score can make you a more competitive applicant. Always research the specific admission requirements for the colleges you are interested in before deciding whether to take the optional Science section.
Is the new ACT easier than the current version?
The new ACT is shorter but not necessarily easier. The content difficulty is expected to remain similar. The changes focus on improving the testing experience by reducing time pressure and allowing more customization (optional sections), aiming to reduce anxiety and let students better showcase their skills.
Will students have the ability to opt out of reporting science scores?
No. Currently, if you choose to take the Science section, that score will be included on your score report sent to colleges. You can cancel your entire ACT score for a specific test date, but you cannot suppress individual section scores like Science or Writing. This policy might change in the future, but this is the current rule.
Will international ACT test-takers have the ability to choose between taking the paper-and-pencil test or the digital version?
No. Due to logistical reasons (supply chain issues and security), the international ACT will only be offered in a digital format, except for students requiring specific accommodations.
Will previous ACT score composites be recalculated next fall? For example, will rising seniors have their old composite scores recalculated?
No. ACT scores that have already been issued will not change or be recalculated based on the new composite score formula.
Will the ACT and SAT score conversions remain the same with these ACT test changes?
Yes. The upcoming ACT changes are not expected to significantly impact overall score meaning or scale. Therefore, existing ACT/SAT concordance tables should remain valid. Any future updates to concordance tables would likely be part of normal iterations and not specifically driven by these 2025 enhancements.