ACT

Redesigned ACT

"Beginning in April 2025, students testing in the United States who choose to take the ACT online will see an updated format that's shorter and lets you choose whether to include the science section, allowing for greater flexibility while maintaining the accuracy and reliability colleges rely on.

These changes will also apply to the paper-pencil test starting in September 2025.

The Composite score will now focus on English, math and reading, while science scores will be reported separately for those who take it." -ACT

English Test: 50 Questions, 35 Minutes

Math Test: 45 Questions, 50 Minutes

Reading Test: 36 Questions, 40 Minutes

Science Test (Optional): 40 Questions, 40 Minutes

Writing Test (Optional): 1 Question, 40 Minutes

What's Changing

• Reduced the number of questions overall (44 fewer).
• Reduced the test length.  Students can receive their college-reportable Composite score after 125 minutes of testing, rather than up to 195.
• More time per question.
• Reduced the number of answer choices in Math questions from five to four.
• Students can now choose to take the ACT National test with or without the science section.  State and district customers will choose whether to include the science section with the ACT test for their students.

What's Not Changing

• The ACT scale will remain 1-36 with no changes to ACT benchmarks or state-specific achievement standards.
• Scores from tests taken prior to the rollout of the new Composite score will not change.
• Ability to predict success in first-year college credit-bearing courses will not change.
• Both paper-and-pencil and online tests will continue to be available.