2025 ACT Updates: Latest Changes to the Exam
Significant changes are coming to the ACT in 2025 as a response to feedback from test-takers and educators. The latest ACT test changes deliver a more flexible test that’s less stressful and empowers students with more control over their testing experience. In this guide, we’ll review what is changing on the ACT and what’s staying the same so students know what to expect on test day. Keep reading to learn how the latest ACT test changes will affect the exam format and ACT scores.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- When is the ACT changing?
- What is changing on the ACT in 2025?
- What’s staying the same when the ACT changes in 2025?
- What are the different versions of the ACT (as of 2025)?
- Why is the ACT changing?
- How to Study for the New ACT
- ACT Test Changes FAQs
When is the ACT changing?
The latest changes to the ACT go into effect at different times depending on where and how test-takers plan to take the exam. Starting in April 2025, all students who choose to take the ACT National Online on a Saturday will be able to take advantage of the test enhancements. Next, in September 2025, all students taking the ACT on a Saturday, either online or on paper, will experience the new test. Lastly, in Spring 2026, schools and districts will have these options available.
When will the new ACT test registration become available?
Registration is currently open for the April, June, and July 2025 ACT test dates. Student 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.
What is changing on the ACT in 2025?
There are many significant changes coming to the ACT in 2025:
- The ACT will have an overall shorter testing time
- The ACT will have a reduced number of questions
- More time allowed per question on the ACT
- The number of math question answer choices on the ACT will be reduced from 5 to 4
- The ACT science section will be offered as optional (like the writing section)
- The ACT composite score will only consist of English, math, and reading scores
- If test-takers choose to take the science section, their ACT score report will include a science score and a STEM score
Keep reading for more details on how the ACT is improving and what this means for the testing experience.
ACT Test Changes: Reduced Testing Time
One of the major changes coming to the ACT is that the overall testing time will be reduced. The test duration for the enhanced ACT will be reduced from 195 minutes to 125 minutes for the national test (excluding writing and science). There will also be fewer questions per section but more time per question. The new ACT is also reducing the number of math question answer choices from five to four. This means that test-takers will have more time to think through each question and feel less pressure from the testing time clock.
The table below shows a breakdown of the proposed future state of the ACT. Please note that the field test questions in each section are not scored and are included in the total count questions to the left.
| ACT Section | Number of Questions/Tasks | Duration |
| English | 50 questions, (10 field test) | 35 minutes |
| Reading | 36 questions, (9 field test) | 40 minutes |
| Math | 45 questions, (4 field test) | 50 minutes |
| Science (optional) | 40 questions, (6 field test) | 40 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 task | 40 minutes |
| Total testing time: National ACT (English, reading, and math) = 125 minutes + Optional science or writing section = 165 minutes + Optional science and writing sections = 205 minutes |
ACT Test Changes: Questions
The new ACT will also debut some changes to questions in most ACT sections. In the table below, we highlight the test enhancements.
| ACT Section | Proposed Changes |
| 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. |
ACT Test Changes: Science Optional
Another critical change the ACT is making to give students more control over their testing experience is by making the science section optional. Students will be able to take the ACT with or without science, similar to how the writing section is today. All ACT test-takers will take the English, math, and reading sections. These sections will generate a composite ACT score. When a student chooses to take science, it will appear as a section score and be used to calculate the STEM score (science + math) but will not be used to calculate the composite score (same as writing today).
States and districts can choose to offer the ACT with science and/or writing. Some colleges and universities may still require or recommend students submit an ACT science score, so just because the section is optional does not mean students should not take it. Students who plan to major in science or a STEM field are highly encouraged to take the ACT science test and submit their scores.
ACT Test Changes: Scoring
There will be some minor changes to the ACT scoring following the ACT test changes going into effect in 2025, but overall, ACT scores will still be delivered within the regular 2-8 week window. If students choose to take the science section, their score report will include a science score (similar to current writing scores) and a STEM score, which reports performance on science and math combined.
ACT Test Changes: New Composite Score
The new ACT composite score will be calculated using English, math, and reading scores but will continue to be on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest). April, June, and July 2025 online National (Saturday) ACT tests will have composite scores calculated in this new method. Then, starting in September 2025, ACT composite calculations for all test modalities will adopt this composite scoring method.
What’s staying the same when the ACT changes in 2025?
While there are many upcoming changes to the ACT, several key features will remain the same:
- The ACT score scale will remain 1-36 for all sections and for the composite score
- ACT score meaning will remain the same as it currently stands
- The ACT remains a linear assessment and is NOT computer adaptive
- The ACT test will continue to feature multiple-choice questions in the English, math, reading, and science sections
- The open-ended, prompt-based writing section on the ACT will remain unchanged
- Students will continue to be able to choose whether to take the test on paper or online
ACT Test Format
The new ACT is much more flexible than the current exam; however, students will continue to be able to choose their test format. Depending on which testing experience they prefer, students can opt to take the ACT online or via paper-and-pencil. This multi-option test format allows students to test the way they feel more comfortable and show off their best performance.
What are the different versions of the ACT (as of 2025)?
There will be four types of ACT available to students, starting in 2025 when the ACT offers the flexibility to choose whether to take science:
- The standard ACT (English, reading, and math)
- The ACT plus science
- The ACT plus writing
- The ACT plus science and writing
Why is the ACT changing?
The creators of the ACT listened to input from both students and educators, implementing changes to enhance the testing experience and better align it with college readiness standards. The enhanced ACT seeks to provide an improved testing experience by shortening the overall exam length and allowing more time per question. Additionally, ACT intends to lower the cost of the standard test required for a college reportable composite score. The updated ACT will be more modern and flexible, giving students greater autonomy over how they take the ACT and which subjects they choose to be evaluated on.
How to Study for the New ACT
Studying for the enhanced ACT will be similar to studying for the current ACT. A new, full-length practice test is available on the ACT website, but current practice tests and ACT prep are still a great way to prepare. This is because the types of knowledge and skills measured on the new ACT will remain the same.
Kaplan is the official ACT test prep provider and offers a wide range of ACT prep courses and resources to help students succeed on the exam, including:
- ACT Question of the Day: Sign up to receive a free ACT practice question with detailed answer explanations delivered straight to your inbox every day.
- ACT Study Plans: Whether you have three months before the exam or just a few weeks, we have free ACT study plans that will help keep you organized.
- ACT Prep Courses: We have many options for ACT prep to suit your schedule. See our full list of official ACT prep courses here.
- ACT Tutoring: Our expert ACT tutors will tailor your studies to your needs. Learn more about our ACT tutoring options.
ACT Test Changes FAQs
Below, we answer some common questions about the upcoming ACT test changes.
Is there a cost difference between the ACT with and without science?
The “core” version of the ACT, containing English, math, and reading costs $65. Tests taken with the science section will cost $69. Fee waiver programs will continue to apply to the new test as well. Pricing for the 2025-2026 testing year will be made available when registration opens for those test dates later in 2025.
Will colleges require applicants to provide an ACT science score?
Many colleges will continue to require or recommend applicants provide an ACT science score. Earning a good score on the ACT science section can make you a more competitive applicant, especially for STEM programs. Ultimately, there will continue to be different requirements for different schools and programs so it’s important to research college admissions requirements before applying.
Is the new ACT easier than the current version?
While the latest ACT version is shorter than the current version, it is not an easier exam. Rather, this new ACT allows students to tailor their testing experience to fit their needs, such as by offering optional science and writing sections. The new test also gives test-takers more time to answer each question with the goal of reducing test anxiety.
Will students have the ability to opt out of reporting science scores?
No, students can cancel their entire ACT score but cannot suppress it by section. This rule may change in the future, but as it currently stands, if test-takers opt to take the science section, it will be included in their ACT score report and seen by college admissions officers.
Will international ACT test-takers have the ability to choose between taking the paper-and-pencil test or the digital version?
No, due to ongoing international supply chain delays and reduced security, the international ACT will only be offered as a digital option, with the exception of students requiring an accommodation.
Will previous ACT score composites be recalculated next fall? For example, will rising seniors have their old composite scores recalculated?
No, previously issued ACT scores will not change due to the upcoming test changes.
Will the ACT and SAT score conversions remain the same with these ACT test changes?
There will be no significant impact on ACT scores from these upcoming test changes. Any future concordance tables between ACT and SAT would be the normal iterations and not driven by these test enhancements. Use our SAT/ACT Score Conversion Calculator below to see your converted score.
Quickly convert your SAT or ACT score using our free calculator.
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Heather Waite, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-College at Kaplan North America. Heather has taught thousands of students how to master the PSAT, ACT, and SAT for over a decade. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Indiana University.
