Big Changes Are Coming to ACT in 2025 – Here’s What You Need to Know
The ACT is Getting Shorter
Starting in 2025, the ACT will be a leaner, more focused test. The total number of questions will drop by 44, trimming the test time from 195 minutes to 125 minutes. This means you’ll spend less time in the testing room, but each question will matter more. With fewer questions, your accuracy will play a bigger role in determining your score, so precision is key!
Here's the new breakdown of section lengths and timing:
| English | Math | Reading | Science (optional) | Writing (optional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 minutes | 50 minutes | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | 40 minutes |
| 50 questions | 45 questions | 36 questions | 40 questions | 1 prompt |
| 0:42 per question | 1:07 per question | 1:07 per question | 1:00 per question |
Optional Science Section – Choose Your Strengths
In a groundbreaking change, the Science section will now be optional. This allows you to decide whether to tackle the Science portion or focus solely on English, Math, and Reading. The Writing section remains optional as well. You can customize your test to reflect your strengths—but remember, your prep should reflect these choices too.
New Composite Score Formula
The composite score will now be the average of your English, Math, and Reading scores. The composite score and each section section score will retain the 1-36 scale.
Math Just Got Friendlier
The Math section is also seeing a change with fewer answer choices – dropping from five to four per question. While this slightly boosts your odds on a guess, it also means your understanding of math concepts needs to be solid. With fewer questions overall, every correct answer becomes even more valuable.
When These Changes Kick In
These changes are coming soon, so if you're planning to take the ACT in 2025 or beyond, here's what you need to know. These changes will roll out in phases:
Computer-based updates begin in April 2025
Paper-based updates start in September 2025
School- and district-administered tests will see updates in Spring 2026
That means the revised test will primarily impact the following groups of test-takers:
Juniors who are comfortable with the online version of the ACT and are planning to take it as soon as April 2024
Juniors who aren't planning on applying early-decision and who are expecting to take their college entrance exams next school year. If that's you and your primary reason for choosing the SAT over the ACT is the Science section, you might want to reconsider the ACT as a possibility next fall.
Sophomores who plan to test next school year
Registration for the updated test dates is expected to open in early December 2024, so stay tuned.
Prepping for the New ACT: What You Should Focus On
The ACT’s new format calls for a strategic approach to prep:
Verbal Skills: Since the new composite score increases the relative weight of the English and Reading sections, it will be more important than ever to improve your analytical reading and editing skills.
Accuracy Over Speed: With more time per question and fewer questions, each one has a greater impact, so focus on precision.
Customize Your Prep: Decide early if you’ll take the Science or Writing sections and adjust your study plan accordingly. Need help deciding? Schedule a personalized prep session with us!
Choosing Between SAT and ACT
If you’re currently a sophomore (or a junior who plans to test next fall), sit tight before deciding which test to take! We need to see ACT release official practice material (with scoring tables) before we can compare the condensed ACT to a current SAT in order to make recommendations.
Ready to Tackle the New ACT?
These changes aim to make the ACT more student-friendly, flexible, and focused on real-world skills. While the format is evolving, the core challenge remains—preparing with precision and strategy is more important than ever. To ensure you're ready, consider booking a session with one of our expert tutors to get personalized guidance. Stay informed, adjust your prep, and take advantage of these updates to showcase your best self on test day!
The ACT is evolving to keep pace with today’s students, and it’s more important than ever to prepare effectively. For the latest updates, visit the official ACT Enhancements Page.
Let’s make 2025 your year to shine on the ACT!
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