Here’s What to Expect
Standardized testing remains a component of many colleges’ application process. We encourage our students to control what they can in the process by taking the test that best suits them. If you will be taking a standardized test in 2025 or later, you may want to learn more about the expected changes to the ACT and how they compare to the recently updated SAT. According to the makers of the ACT, the “Enhanced ACT,” a new and improved version of its standardized test, is scheduled to launch in the Spring of 2025. Read on to learn more about these changes.
5 Important ACT Updates to Take Note Of
1. Shorter Testing Time
One of the biggest changes coming to the ACT is the reduction in testing time. The Enhanced ACT will be 70 minutes shorter than the current version and last just 125 minutes. This is also 9 minutes shorter than the new digital SAT. This may make the test day experience less exhausting for students than in years past.
2. Optional Science Section
Another major change is that the Science section will now be optional. Traditionally, the ACT included four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. When the new ACT launches in 2025, students will be able to choose whether to include the Science section. This change is a large driver behind the reduction in testing time.
3. Revised Composite Score
ACT scoring will remain on a scale of 1 to 36. However, without the Science section, the composite score will be based solely on the three core sections—English, Math, and Reading. This means those students opting for the Science section will not see that score reflected in the composite score. This difference will likely impact supercoring making it difficult or impossible to superscore older format test scores with the newer ones.
4. More Time Per Question
The Enhanced ACT will offer more time per question across all sections. For instance, the Reading section will see a 27% increase in time per question. This change may reduce student stress and anxiety about the test. It more closely aligns the ACT to the pacing of the SAT, which has traditionally given students more time per question.
5. Digital vs. Paper Format
Unlike the SAT, the new ACT will be offered in both digital and paper format in the US. Also different from the SAT, the Enhanced ACT will remain linear and non-adaptive. This means the level of difficulty will not change based on previous answers, which some students may find less stressful.
We hope you find this summary of the 2025 changes to the ACT helpful for your own standardized testing planning. If you would like to learn more about the role of testing in the college application process or have other questions about the college search and application process, we help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
