ACT Changes (coming 2025)
The ACT is making some structural (and a few content) changes to roll out for the digital test in April, 2025 and the digital and paper tests in September, 2025. You may also want to watch this short clip from ACT.org that outlines the English and Math details a little more visually.
ACT Format Changes (2025)
Starting in *April 2025, the ACT will introduce several updates designed to streamline the exam and offer students more flexibility. The key changes include a reduction in test length, a shift to optional sections, and new digital testing options at certain locations.
Test Structure: The ACT will shorten its total time from 195 minutes to 125 minutes for the core sections (English, Math, and Reading). The Science section will become optional, allowing students to skip it if it’s not required by their prospective colleges. If students choose to take the Science section, it will still contribute to an additional STEM score alongside Math.
Digital and Paper Formats: *In April 2025, only the digital format will use the updated structure, while the traditional paper test will continue in its current format until September 2025. After that, both digital and paper versions will use the new format, and by Spring 2026, all school-day tests will fully adopt these changes as well.
Question Count and Timing: With the streamlined format, students will encounter fewer questions—44 fewer overall—and gain slightly more time per question, which can ease pacing. For instance, English will now feature 50 questions (down from 75) with a reduced total time. In Math, multiple-choice options will drop from five to four, making it less complex to navigate.
*Content: Aside from making the Science section optional, there are no real changes in terms of content. Each section will include the same scope in the same proportions as before
These updates aim to reduce test fatigue, improve accessibility, and align more closely with recent adjustments to the SAT, making the ACT more student-friendly.
*Online version will switch over in April 2025; online and paper will both be new format in September 2025
Quick Details:
Changes:
●. Total time from 195 to 125 minutes (36% reduction) on English, Math, Reading
●. Science section optional: STEM score compiled when opting in
●. 44 fewer questions overall (from 215 to 171; 20% reduction)
○. English down from 75 to 50 (33% reduction)
●. More time per question (TBD)
●. Math: from 5 multiple choice options to 4
●. English: include “stems” for each question
●. Online switches April 2025; Paper switches September 2025; School day tests switch spring 2026
Continuity:
●. 1-36 score scale
●. Paper and digital option
Sources:
