The ACT is rolling out its most significant changes in decades with the introduction of the Enhanced ACT in 2025. This new format features a shorter test, optional Science section, and new digital testing options.
The ACT is rolling out its most significant changes in decades with the introduction of the Enhanced ACT in 2025. This new format – often called the Enhanced ACT 2025 – features a shorter test (around 2 hours instead of ~3 hours), an optional Science section, and new digital testing options.
These changes aim to make the exam more student-friendly and competitive in the modern testing landscape. In this guide, we'll break down Enhanced ACT vs Traditional ACT differences and provide strategies to help you succeed under the new format.
The traditional ACT ran about 3 hours (plus breaks), whereas the Enhanced ACT's core test time is approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. That's a reduction of 75 minutes from the old format.
With only English, Math, and Reading as mandatory sections now, students will spend less time testing and more time per question on average. In fact, the new format gives about 22% more time per question than before, helping reduce the frantic pace that challenged students for decades.
The exam is also slimmer in question count. The classic ACT had 215 questions (including Science), whereas the Enhanced ACT's core has 131 questions (50 English, 45 Math, 36 Reading). Even if you add the optional Science section (40 questions), the new test maxes out at 171 questions – 44 fewer questions than the old 215.
Fewer questions means each one counts more toward your score, so there's less room for error. For example, under the old English section (75 questions) you could miss several and still score high, but the new English section has 50 questions (with only about 40 scored) so each wrong answer has a bigger impact on your score.
In the traditional ACT, Science was a required fourth section. Now, the Science section is optional – much like the ACT's Writing essay has long been optional. If you opt out of Science, your Composite score will be calculated solely from English, Math, and Reading. The new Composite score is the average of these three core sections (still on the 1–36 scale).
Even if you choose to take Science, its score will not be included in your main Composite (though it will still count toward a separate STEM score alongside Math). This change gives students flexibility: you can skip Science to keep the test shorter, or take it to showcase STEM strengths – the choice is yours.
While the traditional ACT was predominantly pencil-and-paper, the Enhanced ACT is available in both digital and paper formats nationwide. Starting in spring 2025, the online (computer-based) ACT uses the new enhanced format, and by September 2025 all paper tests will also use the enhanced format.
Unlike the SAT's new adaptive digital test, the ACT's digital version remains a linear test – all students get the same questions, just delivered on-screen. You can choose whichever format suits you best (online or paper), and ACT Inc. is even working on allowing students to bring their own devices to test centers in the future. The key is to practice in the format you plan to take, which we'll discuss later.
One subtle but important change is that the Math section now has 4 answer choices instead of 5. This aligns Math with the other sections (which have always had 4 options per question) and reduces decision fatigue. It also slightly improves your odds if you have to guess – a 25% chance per question instead of 20%.
The Math section itself is a bit shorter (45 questions in 50 minutes, down from 60 questions in 60 minutes), giving you about 1 minute 7 seconds per math question on average. With fewer questions and choices, you can invest more time in each math problem without the pressure of the old pacing.
The Enhanced ACT features shorter reading passages in the English and Reading sections. Reading still includes four passages, but each passage now has 9 questions (down from 10), and you get 40 minutes for 36 questions (previously 35 minutes for 40 questions). This means more time to read and consider each passage.
Shorter passages and a slightly slower pace aim to reduce mental fatigue while preserving the test's rigor in comprehension and analysis. The English section (now 50 questions in 35 minutes) likewise has trimmed content – 25 fewer questions than before – giving you a bit more breathing room per question and focusing slightly more on rhetorical skills and clarity of expression (and slightly fewer pure grammar questions).
Despite format changes, the ACT scoring scale remains 1–36 for each section, and the Enhanced ACT will continue to offer superscoring. Colleges will still see familiar score reports.
One thing to note: because the Composite is now based on three sections instead of four, the "rounding up" odds change. On the old ACT, averaging four section scores sometimes resulted in .5 increments that would round up (e.g. an average of 25.5 became a 26). With three sections, only averages ending in .67 (two-thirds) will round up, while those ending in .33 will round down. In short, every point and every question matters a bit more under the new system.
However, the ACT still superscores across test dates, even mixing old and new formats in the transition – they will cherry-pick your highest section scores regardless of format. And remember, if you do take the Science test, colleges might look at your Science score separately (especially for STEM applicants), even though it's not in the composite.
The move to an Enhanced ACT comes in response to evolving student needs and competition in college admissions testing. In recent years, the College Board (maker of the SAT) dramatically revamped its exam – first in 2016 and again with a digital SAT in 2024 – shortening the test and giving more time per question.
The SAT's latest digital version is about 2 hours and 14 minutes with 98 questions, a much leaner experience than the old 3+ hour ACT. Students and schools took notice: by 2024, the SAT bounced back to nearly 2 million test-takers, while the ACT's numbers fell to around 1.4 million – its lowest in over a decade. The feedback was clear: a shorter, less exhausting test is preferable for many.
ACT, Inc. had "little choice but to update its core exam structures for the first time in decades," as one analysis noted. The ACT had been virtually unchanged for a long time – it was the only major test that hadn't gone shorter or digital in the 2020s. By introducing the Enhanced ACT, the test makers are playing catch-up to meet students where they are in today's testing environment.
According to ACT officials, the goals of the 2025 changes include improving the student experience, increasing flexibility, and modernizing the exam. A shorter test with more time per question means less fatigue and stress for test-takers.
Optional sections (Science and Writing) mean students have more control to play to their strengths – for instance, a non-STEM student can skip Science and finish early, while a STEM-focused student can opt in to show off their skills. Offering both paper and online formats also adds flexibility, recognizing that not all schools or students are ready to go fully digital yet.
In short, the ACT is modernizing its format to be more streamlined and student-friendly (and yes, to better compete with the streamlined digital SAT).
There's also an element of accessibility and equity in these changes. A more concise core test can reduce testing costs and make the exam more accessible. In fact, ACT notes that the shorter format helps lower administrative costs, which can translate into a slightly lower test fee for students who skip the Science section. All these reasons together made 2025 the right time to overhaul the exam format.
Amid all the buzz about a "new ACT format," it's important to note that much of the ACT's content and essence remains unchanged. The Enhanced ACT covers the same subject areas as the traditional ACT – you'll still encounter English grammar and rhetoric questions, Math topics from algebra through some precalculus, Reading comprehension passages, and (if you take it) Science reasoning passages.
The question types and style are largely the same as before. In fact, early testers of the Enhanced ACT reported that the questions felt very familiar in focus and difficulty. So, the knowledge and skills you need to succeed haven't fundamentally changed.
The scoring system is also consistent with the past. Each section (English, Math, Reading, and optional Science) is still scored 1–36. The Composite score is still on a 36-point scale (now averaging three sections instead of four). Colleges will view ACT scores in the same way, and you can still earn and report a superscore (mixing your best section scores from multiple test dates) just as before.
The ACT will continue to provide the same score reports, including the STEM score (average of Math and Science for those who take Science) and ELA score (average of English and Reading, possibly with Writing, as before).
Also, the Writing (Essay) section remains optional and unchanged in format. If you choose to take the 40-minute Writing test, it will be offered after the other sections (just like in the old test) and scored separately on a 2–12 scale. Most colleges do not require the ACT Writing section (and that hasn't changed), but it's available for those who want to showcase their writing or meet specific college requirements.
Finally, whether you take the test on paper or on a computer, the content and timing are the same. The Enhanced ACT is not adaptive (unlike the digital SAT) – every student answers the same questions and there's no adjustment of difficulty mid-test. So your strategy can remain consistent regardless of format.
In summary, the ACT's core identity – a curriculum-based test of high school English, math, reading, and scientific reasoning skills – is intact. The changes are about format and flexibility, not about turning the ACT into a different exam.
This means your existing ACT prep (content-wise) is still highly relevant. However, you will want to adjust your strategies to fit the new structure. Let's look at how to do that.
Preparing for the Enhanced ACT isn't drastically different from prepping for the traditional ACT, but you'll want to adapt your approach in a few key ways. Here are important strategies and tips to help you make the most of the new format:
The good news is the test is shorter, but it's still a solid 2+ hour exam (not counting breaks). Practice with full-length 2-hour exams to build your concentration for the slightly compressed test day. You might find it less exhausting than the old 3-hour marathon, but you also have fewer opportunities to "warm up" over a long test – so make every section count from the start. Simulate real conditions (timed sections back-to-back) to get used to the pacing and only one break mid-test (between Math and Reading, typically).
One of the biggest advantages of the Enhanced ACT is that you get more time for each question on average. You won't feel quite as rushed, especially in Reading and Science where time per question increased significantly (students now have ~1:07 per Reading question, compared to 52 seconds before).
Use this extra time to read carefully and double-check. For English and Reading, you can spend a few more seconds per question to confirm your answer or reread a tricky sentence. For Math, you might work through a problem and then plug your answer back in to verify it.
Accuracy is more important than ever, since you can't afford too many mistakes when each question carries more weight. That said, continue to watch the clock and maintain a steady pace – don't get so leisurely that you can't finish a section. Practice timed drills to find the sweet spot between speed and accuracy.
With Science now optional, the core three sections are the star of your Composite score. Make sure your prep heavily focuses on English, Math, and Reading – these are the scores every college will see and use for admission. If Science isn't a strong area for you and your target colleges don't require it, you might allocate your study time fully to the core three. On the other hand, if you plan to take Science, you'll need to prep for it as an additional section, but never at the expense of the core. Remember that a perfect Science score won't boost your Composite if you bomb Reading. So nail the core content first and foremost.
Deciding whether to tackle the optional Science section is a strategic choice. Research your colleges' requirements: many colleges have signaled they won't require the ACT Science score for admissions, which means you could safely skip it and enjoy being done after 2 hours.
If science data analysis isn't your strength or you simply want a shorter test, opting out can reduce stress. However, if you're aiming for STEM programs or competitive schools, a strong Science score can still enhance your profile. Also, some colleges (especially STEM-focused ones) may prefer or recommend submitting a science score.
If you choose to take Science, treat it like the old ACT Science: practice interpreting graphs, charts, and experiments efficiently. The new Science section is 40 minutes for 40 questions, giving you a full minute per question – a bit more time than before. So you can approach it slightly more carefully.
Ultimately, play to your strengths: if you're good at Science reasoning, take it and shine; if not, it's okay to skip and focus your energies on the other sections.
The ACT Writing essay remains optional and is unchanged. Only a small number of colleges recommend or require the essay, but having a strong writing score can be a plus if writing is one of your strengths. Consider taking the essay if you are applying to schools that want to see it or if you want to showcase your writing ability (for example, if your English teacher grades weren't stellar, a good ACT essay might help demonstrate your skills). If you decide to do Writing, practice planning and writing a persuasive essay in 40 minutes. If not, you'll simply be done after Science (or after Reading if you skipped Science). Just be sure of each college's requirements so you don't accidentally miss an essay requirement.
With only 4 choices per math question now, your odds of guessing correctly improved. Use process of elimination aggressively – knocking out one or two wrong answers gives you a much higher chance if you need to guess.
This change also means you should adjust any practice materials: if you're using older ACT math sections (which had 5 choices A-E), be aware that new questions will use A-D. The math content itself is the same, but you might notice a slightly heavier focus on algebra, geometry, and statistics topics and a bit less on the most advanced topics like trig/pre-calculus.
So tailor your review accordingly: solidify core algebra/geometry skills, which are a big chunk of the math, and practice with the mindset that consistency and accuracy across 45 questions can get you a top score (there's less margin for skipping tough questions now). And since you have a tad more time per problem, don't rush through calculations – double-check your work when possible to avoid careless errors.
The Reading section's structure is unchanged (still prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science passages), but passages are a bit shorter. This can actually help you focus on key ideas without getting lost in lengthy details.
Practice reading slightly shorter articles or excerpts and immediately summarizing main ideas and author's tone – these skills will help on test day. You have 40 minutes for 4 passages, so aim to spend about 8–9 minutes per passage (including answering questions). That extra time means you can read more carefully and even refer back to the passage more when answering.
Don't get complacent, though: 36 questions in 40 minutes still requires focus. Continue using proven ACT reading strategies: identify line references, skim for specific details when needed, and answer easier questions first. The goal is to improve accuracy; with only 36 reading questions, each one wrong has a bigger effect, so slowing down a touch to get it right is worth it.
If you plan to take the digital ACT, make sure to practice in that format. The content and timing are the same, but taking a test on-screen can feel different from paper. Use ACT's official digital practice test or online prep resources to get used to scrolling passages, using the on-screen highlighter, and clicking to navigate questions.
Familiarize yourself with any on-screen tools (like you may have a line reader or flagging function). Also, practice reading on a computer to build endurance for screen reading – some students find it more tiring than paper, while others prefer it.
If you're sticking with paper, continue with traditional practice tests. Either way, simulate test day conditions: for digital, practice on a laptop or tablet in a quiet room; for paper, print out a test PDF and use an answer sheet. By test day, the format should feel second-nature, so you can focus on the questions, not the interface.
The ACT has integrated experimental (unscored) questions into each section of the Enhanced ACT, instead of having a separate experimental section. You won't know which questions these are – they'll be scattered throughout the test.
What this means for strategy is don't waste time trying to guess which questions "don't count." Treat every question as if it matters, and give it your best effort. Also, because around 10 questions per section might be unscored, realize that the scoring might feel a little "weird" – for instance, you might answer, say, 45 math questions but only 36-40 of them count.
The ACT will handle that behind the scenes. Your job is simply to attempt all questions and not leave any blanks. There's still no guessing penalty, so answer every question, even if time is nearly up or you're unsure.
Since the format is changing, make sure you get updated study materials. ACT released a new Official ACT Prep Guide (2024-2025 edition) with practice tests reflecting the enhanced format. They also have a free PDF practice test for the Enhanced ACT on their site.
Third-party prep companies like UWorld, Kaplan, and others are updating their question banks and tests to mirror the new format. Use these resources so you're practicing the right number of questions and timing for each section.
If you have older ACT practice tests, you can still use them for content practice (since question types are the same), but remember to practice pacing with the new timing – for example, you might do 40-question reading sections from an old test but give yourself 40 minutes instead of 35 to match the new format.
Keep an eye out for any subtle content distribution changes (for instance, maybe practice a bit more on data analysis passages for science, or on rhetoric questions in English, if those are now a slightly larger emphasis).