1.4 million high school seniors took the ACT test in 2023 according to ACT.com and now ACT is making ACT test changes.
In light of falling average test scores among that group, It’s rare for a standardized test to change based on student, teacher, and administrator feedback. The ACT, however, is changing for the better come spring 2025 based on feedback.
These changes present a hopeful future for standardized tests, making them more transparent in showing off your skills and uniqueness as a student. Therefore, creating more opportunities for college admissions, scholarships, and a curated test day to meet your ambitions. This blog will cover the recent enhancements to the ACT and the impact it will have on you as well as future students.
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a multiple-choice test assessing English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing so that you can show off all you have learned over your academic career. Most colleges, but not all, use the ACT to award scholarships and to admit students to their programs. Though changes to the ACT are happening, it is always a good idea to prepare for the ACT with practice tests, study guides, and flashcards like the ones available through Peterson’s. Our courses are updated regularly to reflect changes that you may see on the test so that you can walk into your test day confident!
Overview of the ACT Test Changes
Changes to the ACT are being made so that the test is adaptable to student needs and in alignment with the educational restructuring of the current day.
Key Enhancements in the ACT:
- Fewer Questions, Less time—44 fewer questions and time reduction from 195 minutes to 125 minutes, which equates to more time per question
- Optional Science—Students have the option to take the ACT without science
- STEM Scoring—For students considering majors with an emphasis in science and math, the score report for ACT will now include a STEM score report to show off your skills if you take the science section
- Paper/Online Testing—Students have the option to take the test online or via paper and pencil
Impact of These Enhancements
For Students:
- More opportunities to improve their overall ACT score
- Reduced ACT test-day stress
- Tailoring the ACT test to student needs
- Increased control over ACT testing experience
For Colleges:
- More accurate representation of a student’s abilities
- Easier comparison with other applicants
For Educators and Schools:
- Adaptations to teaching strategies and how schools might guide students in navigating the new features
Tips for Students to Make the Most of These ACT Test Changes
- Choose the route of testing that will best suit you and your future—with or without science, online or paper-based, etc…
- Utilize new ACT score report features when applying to colleges by emphasizing your strengths in math and science
- Consider the optional ACT writing test to showcase your communication and writing skills and check with colleges you are applying to in order to see if they require the ACT writing section for admittance
- Use ACT practice materials that reflect the latest structure of the ACT test
- Decide early on whether you plan to take the digital ACT or paper-based ACT test based on your experience and comfort level with technology
- Compare ACT and SAT tests to see if you would be better suited for one test or the other
Comparing ACT Enhancements to the SAT
The changes to the ACT align with changes made to the SAT, reflecting the current education climate, with a shorter test and the ability to take the ACT test digitally. However, the SAT is now fully digital without the option to take it on paper. For this reason and others, you may find that either the SAT or ACT test will better suit you. Here are some things to consider between the two tests:
- The SAT and ACT tests are about the same length of time for testing, 2 hours, once the ACT is updated in Spring 2025
- You receive a STEM score to provide to colleges with the ACT, the SAT doesn’t yet have this capability
- ACT has an optional writing test to showcase critical writing and communication skills to colleges and universities
- The SAT has fewer sections, but the sections are longer. The ACT has more sections with a slightly longer overall testing time.
Conclusion
With the ACT test changes of shorter test days, optional science and writing, STEM scoring, and the option to take the test digitally or via paper, we hope that the ACT’s goal of helping you have the best test day will come to fruition— highlighting your dedication and learning. Take advantage of these changes by making your test day curated to you and your future ambitions. With ACT study materials, practice tests, and other prep tools, you can walk into test day confident and stand out to colleges, scholarships, and other opportunities. We’re confident you will show your true capabilities and potential in this updated ACT test.
