Upcoming ACT Changes: A Breakdown

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the upcoming ACT changes, you’re not alone. With a new format rolling out, changes to super scoring, and the introduction of an “enhanced” digital test, it’s understandable that students, parents, and educators alike might be scratching their heads. The ACT is transitioning to a new digital format, with major changes taking effect starting in April 2025. Here’s what you need to know.

1. The paper vs. digital dilemma. Students who have been testing on paper can continue with the traditional test format on paper through July 2025, but starting in September, all ACT tests, whether paper or digital, will use the new format. ACT released a sample version of the enhanced digital test, offering a sneak peek into its structure. There are timed and untimed versions that will give students a sense of the platform and question format.

• February 2025: Both paper and digital tests will be in the current format.
• April, June, July 2025: Paper tests will remain in the current format, but digital tests will switch to the new enhanced format.
• September 2025: Both paper and digital formats will align with the new test structure.

2. Super scoring changes. Super scoring means that ACT takes the highest section scores from multiple test attempts to create a new composite score. As ACT announced in July 2024, the Science section will be optional starting with the digital format in April 2025. Accordingly, under the new enhanced digital format, Science will no longer be included in the composite score. If a student has taken the paper format before transitioning to the digital test, their super score calculation will change to exclude Science once they take the new digital test.
With or without Science, scoring will remain the same: each section ranges from 1-36, and the composite will be an average of those sections. In simpler terms, if you stick to the paper test through July, your super score will include Science. Once you take the digital test, Science drops out of the calculation. This change adds a layer of complexity for students considering retesting under both formats.

3. A shorter test. The new ACT test will last just two hours, compared to three hours for the current test. The new test includes shorter passages on the reading and English sections and fewer questions in each section—44 fewer questions in all.

4. Enhanced accessibility. The online option provides additional accessibility features, including support for screen reader users, text-to-speech functionality, magnifier, and answer masking.

5. Registration updates. Registration for April, June, and July 2025 test dates is now open.

If you’ve been taking the paper format and are comfortable with it, consider staying with paper tests through July to maintain consistency and avoid super scoring surprises. If you’re planning to test digitally after April 2025, prepare for the new format by reviewing these online sample questions. Colleges haven’t yet announced how they’ll handle these changes.

As the ACT evolves, staying ahead of the changes is crucial. Be sure to register early, prepare strategically, and stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks. The landscape may be shifting, but with the right planning, students can navigate these changes with confidence.

This article was originally posted by International College Counselors.

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