Today, we will delve into the revamped ACT, commonly referred to as the New ACT.

Similar to the SAT, the ACT is undergoing substantial modifications, including shorter test durations and fewer questions, as it transitions into its updated format. Given the limited details available on the ACT’s official website, many questions may arise. Let’s unpack the specifics together.

Announcement of Changes

On July 15, it was announced that the ACT test format would incorporate the following adjustments:

The Science section will become optional.
The total number of questions will be reduced by 44.
The time allotted per question will increase.

Additional insights were shared during a webinar on July 22. Based on this information, I will outline what we currently know. Please note that while this overview is highly indicative of the final changes, some details remain subject to confirmation.

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Key Adjustments

duration comparison

The ACT, excluding the optional Writing section, currently takes 3 hours to complete, compared to the slightly over 2-hour duration of the Digital SAT. This significant difference in test length has led many students to favor the SAT. In response, the ACT has streamlined its format to make it more concise and user-friendly.

Previously, the ACT (referred to as the Old ACT) was administered exclusively on paper through 2023. Starting in 2024, the test will be offered in both paper and online formats, marking the transition to the New ACT.

Excluding the optional Writing section, the New ACT format introduces the following updates:

Old ACT:

English: 75 questions / 45 minutes
Math: 60 questions / 60 minutes
Reading: 40 questions / 35 minutes
Science: 40 questions / 35 minutes

New ACT:

English: 50 questions / 35 minutes
Math: 45 questions / 50 minutes
Reading: 36 questions / 40 minutes
Science: Optional (40 minutes)

Key Adjustments:

The English and Math sections will feature fewer questions and shorter durations.
The Reading section will reduce the number of questions (from 40 to 36) while increasing the time allocation (from 35 to 40 minutes).

Implications for the Reading Section

In the Old ACT, the Reading section required students to answer 40 questions in 35 minutes, emphasizing rapid identification of evidence and direct answers. The New ACT introduces fewer questions and more time per question, signaling a shift toward more analytical and thought-provoking questions.

Core Sections and Duration

Focusing on the core sections—English, Math, and Reading—the New ACT will eliminate 44 questions compared to the Old ACT.

The Old ACT (including Science) required 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The New ACT (excluding the optional Science section) will take 2 hours and 5 minutes, making it slightly shorter than the SAT.

The scoring scale will remain the same (out of 36 points), and the test will continue to follow a fixed Linear Test structure. In addition, the Math section’s multiple-choice options will decrease from five to four per question.

Reading Passages: A New Look

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Reading passages in the New ACT will be noticeably shorter than those in the Old ACT. Unlike the Digital SAT, which presents one question per page, the New ACT will continue grouping multiple questions on a single page.

It’s important to note that these developments are still in their early stages. Just as the SAT’s initial announcements evolved, the final version of the New ACT may differ from the current outline.

The reduction in question count raises the possibility of adaptive testing in the future. Adaptive testing adjusts questions based on performance, potentially offering a more nuanced assessment across topics.

For adaptive testing to succeed, however, questions must be carefully balanced in difficulty. Poorly designed questions could undermine the effectiveness of this approach.

For now, the ACT is expected to remain a Linear Test through 2025-26, but the possibility of adaptive testing looms beyond this period.

The Science Section: Insights

Why has the ACT retained the Science section as optional rather than eliminating it altogether? Here’s one perspective:

Some high schools require the ACT, including its Science section, for graduation or college admissions. Additionally, long-term contracts for paper-based ACT exams—including the Science section—may pose logistical and financial challenges if altered. This likely explains why the Science section has become optional rather than being fully removed.

Test Schedules

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To clarify timelines:

International Tests: Beginning in 2025, the New ACT will be offered internationally in September, October, and December, exclusively in online format.
U.S. Tests: Initially, both the Old and New ACT formats will be available. National tests will transition to the New ACT online format in April 2025, with paper-based tests adopting the New ACT format by September 2025.
School Day Tests: U.S. school-administered tests will retain the Old ACT format until 2026.

This transition period provides U.S. students with the flexibility to choose between formats, though it may also create some confusion.

Guidance for Students

For those currently preparing for the ACT:

Aim to complete the Old ACT before July to maximize your score under the existing format.
Alternatively, start preparing for the Old ACT and transition to the New ACT once it becomes available.

Based on prior transitions, such as the move from Paper SAT to Digital SAT, significant score differences are unlikely between the Old and New ACT formats.

As the Science section becomes optional, it remains unclear whether colleges will mandate it, adding complexity to the decision-making process.

Looking Ahead

With numerous decisions pending before the New ACT’s full implementation in September 2025, navigating this transitional period will be critical. Given the current ambiguity, some students may favor the SAT, which has demonstrated a smoother transition under the College Board’s oversight.

At A-One Institute, we are dedicated to staying informed about these changes to guide students toward their best results. If you have questions about the evolving ACT, feel free to connect with us via 1:1 chat or contact our institute directly.

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The ACT is undergoing major changes starting next year!

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