ACT Changes in 2025

Learn about the major changes coming to the ACT in 2025, including a shorter test time, optional science section, and other key updates to help you succeed.

The ACT is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. Starting in 2025, students will experience a shorter, more flexible exam that aims to reduce test anxiety while maintaining its value for college admissions. These changes reflect both evolving educational needs and technological advances in testing.

Why the ACT Is Evolving

The ACT's mission has always been to help students succeed in their journey to higher education. These upcoming updates reflect that mission through:

• Student-Centered Approach: By offering a shorter test, fewer total questions, and the option to skip the science section, test takers can tailor the exam to their own strengths and college goals.
• Better Access: Online testing will adopt these changes first, making it easier for students to schedule and take the exam in a way that suits them.
• Meaningful Scores: Colleges continue to rely on the ACT as a reliable assessment, and now there will be an even sharper focus on the key academic areas of English, math, and reading.

Key Updates Coming to the ACT

1. Shorter Exam, Fewer Questions

If you're used to thinking of the ACT as a marathon, you might be pleasantly surprised by the upcoming modifications. The revised format removes a total of 44 questions, offering a more streamlined experience. Here's how it breaks down:

• English: 50 questions in 35 minutes
• Mathematics: 45 questions in 50 minutes
• Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes
• Science (Optional): 40 questions in 40 minutes
• Writing (Optional): One prompt in 40 minutes

2. Flexible Science Section

One of the biggest changes is that the science section will now be optional for most testers. If you're aiming for a STEM degree or plan to enroll in science courses in college, you'll want to consider including science for a more robust score profile. Students who skip it will still get a composite score based on English, math, and reading.

3. Revised Composite Score

Previously, your ACT Composite was calculated across four sections (English, math, reading, and science). Beginning in April 2025 for online tests—and September 2025 for paper tests—the Composite score will only factor in English, math, and reading. Science results (when taken) will still appear separately and will continue to be valuable for college admissions and scholarships, especially in STEM fields.

4. More Time per Question

With the total number of questions reduced, you'll have slightly more time to think through each one. This can lower stress levels and help you focus on providing the best possible answer for every prompt.

5. Four Answer Choices in Math

Another notable tweak is in the mathematics section, where you'll now encounter four answer choices instead of five. This update can help you work through problems more efficiently and potentially improve your chances of identifying the correct response.

6. No Fifth Test (Field Test Section)

Starting April 2025 for online testers, you won't see the additional "Test 5" section that was used for field-testing questions. This means less overall time spent testing, which is always a plus.

What Remains the Same

Despite these adjustments, the ACT is holding on to many of its foundational elements:

• 1–36 Scale: The ACT scoring scale isn't changing, so scores remain familiar and comparable.
• College Predictive Power: The ACT will continue to provide a trustworthy measure of your ability to succeed in first-year college courses.
• Writing Option: The optional Writing test still exists, letting you show colleges your essay-writing chops if you choose.
• Score Reporting: Past ACT scores remain valid and unchanged, and superscoring will continue—meaning you can still highlight your best section performances from multiple test dates.

When Do These Changes Happen?

• April 2025: Online-only ACT test-takers in the U.S. will be the first to experience the updated format.
• September 2025: Paper-based ACT tests in the U.S. and the international ACT test will adopt the new structure and Composite score calculation.
• Spring 2026: Schools and districts that administer the ACT on specific statewide or district test dates will roll out these enhancements for all students.

How to Prepare

1. Stay Informed: Be sure to keep tabs on official ACT announcements. They'll release practice tests and updated prep materials by early 2025.
2. Use Existing Resources: Current study tools are still helpful because the skills tested in English, math, reading, and science remain the same.
3. Pick Your Sections Wisely: If you're set on a STEM path, consider taking the optional science portion. If your strengths lie elsewhere, you now have the freedom to skip it.
4. Plan Your Testing Timeline: With earlier test finishes and potentially shorter sessions, you can schedule your test around other commitments and study more efficiently.

The ACT's commitment to supporting students has driven these important updates. By 2025, you'll have a chance to sit for a more flexible, shorter test while still showcasing your academic abilities in all the areas colleges care about.

If you're aiming for scholarships, trying to meet college benchmarks, or simply testing for personal goals, these enhancements will offer more choice than ever before. Keep an eye on official ACT channels for practice materials, and don't forget: the best strategy is to focus on building strong foundational knowledge in reading, writing, and math—now with an option to highlight science if your college or career plans call for it.