The Enhanced ACT Explained

ACT has made some exciting changes to help students maximize their scores and feel more confident on test day. The ACT is now shorter, allows more time per question, and gives students more options for how they test. These updates are designed to help students shine while maintaining the high standards colleges expect.

Here’s everything you need to know to support your students this year.

What’s Changing?

The ACT is introducing several enhancements designed to improve the student testing experience:

• Shorter Test
  • The total test time has been reduced by 75 minutes, with 44 fewer questions overall.
• More Time Per Question
  • Students will have more time to think through each question, helping reduce pressure and improve focus.
• Optional Science Section
  • Science is now optional. Students can choose whether or not to include it, based on their future goals and strengths.
• Choice of Test Format
  • Students now have the option to take the test online or on paper, depending on what they’re most comfortable with.
• Fewer Answer Choices in Math
  • The math section now includes four answer choices instead of five, making it easier to decide and improving the odds of selecting the correct response.
• Updated Composite Score
  • The new Composite score includes English, math, and reading. If a student chooses to take the science section, they’ll also receive a separate science and STEM score—giving them a more complete view of their strengths.

What’s Not Changing

These updates make the ACT more flexible, but the core structure and standards remain the same:

• The ACT scale is still 1–36
  • There are no changes to ACT Benchmarks or state-specific achievement standards.
• English, math, and reading are still required
  • Science and writing are optional.
• Legacy Composite Scores
  • Composite scores from tests taken prior to the rollout of the new Composite score will not change.
• College Acceptance
  • Colleges will continue to use the ACT to evaluate academic readiness and determine course placement

Why These Changes Were Made

Students asked for more flexibility, and ACT listened. The result is a test experience that feels more manageable, while still delivering the trusted data schools and colleges rely on.

Here’s what we heard from students:

“The test is too long. I need more time!”
The enhanced ACT is shorter and allows more time per question. This helps students feel less rushed and more confident as they work through each section.

“The science section scares me.”
Now students can choose whether or not to take science. Those who want to highlight STEM strengths can still opt in and receive detailed score reporting.

“I don’t want to test on a computer. I still want paper!”
Students can now select the format that works best for them—online or paper. This flexibility supports comfort, confidence, and performance.

When Will These Changes Happen?

The enhanced ACT is already available for national and international test takers. Students registering for 2025–2026 ACT test dates can now choose their format and whether or not to include science. State and District testing will begin using the enhanced ACT in spring 2026.

Final Thoughts

ACT’s goal is simple: to help students succeed in a way that works for them. These enhancements give students more control, less stress, and a testing experience that better aligns with their needs and goals.

Need more info? Visit the ACT Test Enhancements webpage for updates, visuals, and a full list of FAQs to share with families and students.