Major Technical and Administrative Issues
A significant portion of student feedback focused on technical and administrative problems at certain testing centers, rather than just the content of the exam itself.
Proctoring chaos and login delays: In some centers, 30–40 students were unable to log into the digital test platform at the scheduled start time. This led to delays of up to 90 minutes while proctors manually started tests one by one. In a few rooms, some students were already partway through sections while others were still waiting for their screens to load, creating a chaotic and arguably unfair environment.
Calculator restrictions and Desmos access: Multiple students reported issues accessing the built-in Desmos calculator or being limited to basic four-function calculators provided by the center. On a test where many students expect to rely on graphing or at least scientific calculators for more advanced math questions, this felt like a serious handicap and contributed to the perception that Math was especially punishing.
Not every test center experienced these issues, but they were common enough that many students described the overall experience as a “nightmare,” worried that technical problems rather than their true ability might determine their score.
Section-by-Section Difficulty
Math: Widely Reported as the Hardest Section
The consensus across most reports is that Math was the most challenging part of the February exam. Many students who had felt comfortable on prior ACT sittings or official practice tests were surprised by both the difficulty and the mix of topics.
Heavy precalculus and advanced topics: Students noted an unusually high concentration of precalculus-style items and advanced concepts. Specific question types mentioned included integrals (such as finding the area under a quadratic curve), Kelvin-to-Celsius conversions, hyperbolas, and more complex probability/permutations problems than they were used to seeing on released practice tests.
Many students who also took the December exam felt that this February Math section represented a clear step up in difficulty. Those expecting a more straightforward algebra-focused test were caught off guard by the volume of higher-level material and the time pressure that came with it.
English and Reading: Generally Fair but With Memorable Passages
In contrast to Math, most students described English and Reading as “fair” or “standard” for the ACT, though a few passages and questions stood out and generated a lot of discussion.
Memorable reading and English content: Students referenced a passage involving a dispute over the height of Mount Everest, including a debated wording choice like “rigid” versus “exact.” Other passages mentioned included one about beetle diversity, a story about a woman painting historical figures in a sunflower field, and an interview-style passage that some found unusual but manageable.
Overall, while individual questions caused confusion, these sections were not viewed as significantly harder than typical ACT practice materials.
Science: Slight Shift Toward Outside Knowledge
Some test takers felt that the Science section leaned more than usual on outside content knowledge rather than purely on reading graphs and interpreting data from the passages.
While charts and figures were still central, a few questions appeared to require prior familiarity with scientific concepts to feel comfortable, rather than being fully answerable from the provided information alone. For students who prepared mainly with data-interpretation drills, this shift was unsettling and is a reminder to keep basic high-school science concepts fresh.
Equating, Scaling, and Score Release
The February exam was administered as an equating test, which means many students already expected a delayed score release timeline and more uncertainty around the curve.
Delayed release window: Test takers frequently cited an expected score release around early March (with March 3rd often mentioned). Because equating tests are used to calibrate difficulty and scaling, they typically take longer to process than standard forms.
Curve and scaling anxiety: Students reported high levels of anxiety about how raw scores would translate into scaled scores, especially given the perceived difficulty of Math. Many people found themselves replaying individual questions in their heads and trying to predict how harsh or generous the scale might be.
More experienced posters and tutors emphasized that on equating tests, raw scores are less informative than usual. The equating process is explicitly designed to account for differences in difficulty, so a test that feels harder should, in theory, come with a more forgiving scale—even if that is little comfort while you wait for results.
What to Do If You Took This Exam
The overall vibe from students can best be described as a “survival” mentality. Many walked out feeling beaten down by technical issues, tougher-than-expected Math, and uncertainty about equating and scaling—yet there was also a strong forward-looking focus on the next available test date.
If you took the February 14, 2026 ACT:
- Recognize that many students struggled, especially with Math and with technical disruptions. You are not alone if you left the test center feeling unsure.
- Remember that for an equating test, the scale should adjust to reflect overall difficulty. A harder form often comes with a somewhat more forgiving curve.
- Avoid replaying individual questions in your head—there is no way to know exactly how the curve will work out, and that mental energy is better spent preparing for a possible retake.
- If you plan to retake (for example, on the April ACT), focus your prep on the areas this exam highlighted: advanced Math topics (precalculus, probability, function behavior), handling technical hiccups without panicking, and reading very carefully on tricky wording questions.
For many students, this February exam will function as a learning experience rather than a final score. Use what you learned about your timing, content gaps, and test-day mindset to build a stronger performance on your next ACT sitting.