Question By: The ACT is undergoing significant changes aimed at modernizing the test and enhancing its competitiveness with the SAT. These changes primarily focus on adjustments to section timing, question numbers, and the optional nature of the Science section.
Firstly, the English section will now be 35 minutes long, reduced from 45 minutes, with the number of questions dropping from 75 to 50. This translates to more time per question for test-takers. Similarly, the Math section is shrinking from 60 to 50 minutes, and the question count is decreasing from 60 to 45, also providing more time per question. Notably, the multiple-choice options in Math will be reduced from five to four.
Conversely, the Reading section is experiencing a time increase, moving from 35 to 40 minutes, while the question count is reducing from 40 to 36, giving test takers more time per question.
Perhaps the most substantial alteration is the shift to an optional Science section. This move allows students to take the "core test" of English, Math, and Reading without the Science component. However, this raises questions about how colleges will evaluate applications without a Science score, particularly for STEM-related fields.
These changes are being implemented in phases, starting with the online ACT in select locations, followed by the nationwide paper ACT in September 2025, and then the school-day ACT in April 2026. Ultimately, these adjustments aim to provide a more streamlined and flexible testing experience, while keeping pace with evolving higher education trends. Visit https://solutionprep.com/big-act-changes-what-you-need-to-know/ to know more.
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