The ACT Has Changed—Here’s What I Want You to Know
A Note from Ellie at Homegrown Tutoring
If your student is planning to take the ACT this year, things are going to look a little different. Starting in April 2025 for online testers, and September 2025 for those taking the paper version, the ACT has rolled out some major updates.
I’ve spent time reviewing the official changes and what they mean for students. In this post, I’ll walk you through the key differences and share how they could affect scores—plus a few suggestions to help students adjust their prep accordingly.
First, What’s Different About the ACT Now?
Here are the biggest changes I want you to know about:
The test is shorter.
The ACT now takes 125 minutes instead of over 175.
There are 44 fewer questions than before.
Students have more time per question, which helps reduce rushing and test fatigue.
The test feels more focused and manageable from start to finish.
The science section is now optional.
This is a big one. Students can now choose whether or not to take the science section.
If they skip it, their Composite Score will be based on just English, Math, and Reading.
If they do take it, it gets scored separately. They’ll also receive a STEM score.
This change gives students more flexibility to play to their strengths.
The Composite Score is calculated differently.
The ACT Composite Score is now an average of the English, Math, and Reading scores only.
Science scores, if included, are reported separately.
Students can still choose to take the optional writing section, which is also scored separately.
The math section has only four answer choices now.
This is a subtle but important update.
Instead of five options per question, students will now choose from four.
This can reduce decision fatigue and make the right answer easier to spot—especially under pressure.
The online test includes new tools.
If your student takes the ACT online, they’ll have access to some helpful features:
On-screen calculator
Text-to-speech and screen reader functions
Highlighter tool and question flagging
Answer masking and zooming options
These tools make the test more accessible and give students more control over their experience. I definitely recommend trying a digital practice test in advance if your student chooses the online version.
Read more on the official ACT website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/enhancements.html
How These Changes Could Impact Your Student’s Score
In a good way…
The shorter format means students are less likely to burn out halfway through.
With more time per question, they can focus on accuracy rather than speed.
Skipping the science section can reduce anxiety and help students zero in on what they know best.
Fewer answer choices in math might lead to higher accuracy for many students.
But there are still a few things to watch out for…
Because the test is shorter, each question now has a greater impact on the overall score.
Students will need to be even more strategic with their pacing.
Digital tools are only helpful if students know how to use them—familiarity is key.
According to ACT, these changes won’t reduce the test’s reliability. It still does what it’s always done: give colleges an idea of how prepared students are for college-level work.
What I’m Telling My Students
If your student is preparing for the ACT, here are the next steps I recommend:
Take a practice test in the updated format. This is the best way to get familiar with the new timing and structure.
Decide early whether to include the science section. Some students will benefit from taking it, while others may want to focus their energy elsewhere.
Rework pacing strategies. Even though there’s more time per question, students need to know how to manage their time wisely.
Get comfortable with the ACT’s digital tools. If they’re taking the test online, the more they practice with those tools, the better.
Stay focused on the fundamentals. The content- grammar, reading comprehension, and math- has not changed. Strong core skills still matter most.
Final Thoughts from Me
I’m excited about these changes. I think they’re going to help a lot of students feel more confident and in control on test day, especially with having more time per question. However, I also know change can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m here to help you and your students understand what’s new and how to adjust your prep strategy.
If you have questions or need personalized ACT prep, I’m always happy to chat. My goal is to make this process less stressful and more successful, no matter which version of the test your student takes.
You can read more about the new ACT format on their official site: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/enhancements.html
With gratitude,
Ellie
Founder, Homegrown Tutoring
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