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With major changes coming to the ACT next spring, check your exam date and format (paper-pencil or digital) before your test day to see if you are taking the new version of this standardized test. After all, understanding the exam format can help you prepare and know exactly what to expect when you start the test.
Therefore, here are the changes coming to the ACT in the upcoming spring:
Fewer questions and a shorter test
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The 215-question ACT will soon have 44 fewer questions on the new exam, with each section seeing a reduction in the number of questions. With the new structure of the ACT, students will be given more time per question, and the reading and English sections will have shorter passages.
Currently, the ACT follows the format below for questions and timing:
- English: 75 questions in 45 minutes
- Reading: 40 questions in 35 minutes
- Math: 60 questions in 60 minutes
- Science: 40 questions in 35 minutes
- Writing (optional): 1 essay in 40 minutes
Although the new ACT format for the number of questions and timing within each section has yet to be released, it has been announced that the exam will be shorter by at most one hour. Therefore, students who choose to take the ACT without the optional sections will take a two-hour exam instead of a three-hour one.
An optional science section
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Previously, ACT takers had to complete four required sections to receive their composite score: math, science, reading, and English. In addition, test takers could also decide if they wanted to complete an optional writing section, which did not affect a student's composite score but was necessary for an ELA score. Students also received a STEM score based on their performance in both the math and science sections.
Now, students are only required to take the math, reading, and English sections of the ACT to receive their composite and section scores (which will still be scored from 1 to 36). Therefore, test takers will be given the choice of whether or not they want to take the science and/or writing sections of the test.
Since a student's science score will no longer be averaged into the composite score under the new ACT, students who score stronger in science might want to consider taking or retaking the exam before the spring of 2025, if possible, to maximize their overall score.
Option of a Paper-Pencil or Online Test
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Although the ACT will continue to allow students the option of taking the test on paper or online, the new changes will be implemented faster in the digital ACT than in the paper-pencil versions.
Consequently, for students who would rather take the new version, the test on a computer is the way to go. The changes to the ACT will first roll out for online U.S. test-takers in the spring of 2025 and for international students and "school-day" testers in the spring of 2026.
If you take the online version, the test will not be adaptive, which means that your performance on prior questions will not change the difficulty of the next questions.
For students deciding whether or not they want to take the digital or paper-pencil test, here are a few things to think about:
The Test Date
As mentioned above, the digital ACT will see the new changes quicker than the paper-pencil test. Consequently, students who want to take the new ACT earlier should sign up for the digital test.
On the other hand, if a student scores higher on the science section and is planning on taking the exam in the spring, they should consider taking the test on paper so that their science score will factor into their composite score.
Digital Features
Online students can zone in or out on the passages and questions, utilize the built-in calculator feature, and "hide" eliminated answer options through answer masking. They can also have scratch pieces of paper provided by the testing center to write down any math questions or notes.
On the other hand, students taking the paper-pencil exam will have to bring their calculators, but some students find it easier to annotate on paper tests.
Regardless of whether you take the new or current ACT or the paper or digital exam, start studying in advance and check out the plethora of free online resources to help you prepare, like practice questions and advice videos. Be sure to take at least one practice exam before your test date, and remember that test scores are only one aspect of your application.
