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It's that time of year again when many schools host their 8th grade parent planning nights. We've noticed an increase in requests for related resources from schools every January. To stay ahead of the curve this year, I wanted to share a ready-to-use example for referencing the ACT in an 8th grade parent night brochure or handout.
Here's sample text you can use, with a BIG disclaimer that this language is specific to ACT National (weekend) testing and may not align perfectly with ACT State and/or District testing:
“The ACT assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete College-level work. The new ACT format (Enhanced ACT) was implemented in 2025 and is shorter, faster, and more focused, featuring the following changes:
- The composite score will now focus on English, Math, and Reading, while Science scores will be reported separately for those who take it.
- 44 Fewer questions
- Science section will be optional
- Reduced test length
- Reduced the number of answer choices in math questions from five to four
- More time per question
- ACT scale will remain 1-36
- Paper-pencil test will continue to be available
There are four types of the ACT available to students that 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
The ACT is scored on a 1-36 scale in each skill area, plus a composite average score is reported. Your score will be based only on the number of questions that you answered correctly; there is no penalty for guessing. Students should try to answer every question within the time limit allowed for each section.
Suggested testing date: Consider taking an ACT in junior year and then possibly retesting again later in junior year or senior year depending on your goals.”
As for suggested testing dates, I recommend taking the ACT in junior year and then possibly retesting later in junior or senior year, depending on your goals. One tip that worked wonders for my son was to take his first ACT with the mindset that it wouldn't be his last. This simple shift helped reduce his test anxiety significantly. He took the ACT for the first time in February of his junior year. His goals included pursuing admission into US military academies and earning a 3 or 4-year ROTC high school scholarship. With those goals in mind, he knew his February ACT score needed to improve. As a dad, his ACT math score was crucial. He improved from a 19 in February of junior year to a 26 in October (as a senior). Watching him work hard to make that jump was inspiring. That 26 showed me he was truly math-ready for college, no matter where he goes. While test scores matter for admissions, as a parent, it was the confidence that he was ready for college-level courses that truly mattered.
Lastly, if you need assistance with a parent night, consider reaching out to one of the ACT Affiliate Tutor partners. You'll find incredibly talented professionals who are more than willing and able to help. The advice and guidance my family received from the NTPA community have been life-changing.
Good luck, and best wishes for success in the New Year!
