Standardized tests are constantly evolving, and students need to stay informed about the latest changes. After the SAT’s significant changes in 2024, the ACT® is now introducing major updates of its own.
These changes are designed to make the test shorter, less stressful, and more manageable, while still measuring college-readiness skills. No wonder the new version is being called the “Enhanced ACT.”
What’s Changing?
The ACT is rolling out several major changes at once, marking its biggest update in years. The enhanced version of the test will include:
- Fewer questions overall
- Shorter testing time
- Fewer answer choices in the Math section
- Science section is now optional
Reduced Number of Questions
The Enhanced ACT now includes 44 fewer questions than the legacy version, dropping from 215 to 171. Because the Science section is now optional (more on that below), students who choose to skip it will answer only 131 questions, a full 84 questions fewer than the original format.
Here’s how the number of questions has changed in each section:
Shortened Test Time
Since each section now has fewer questions, the Enhanced ACT is also shorter overall than the legacy version. The full test used to take 175 minutes (about 3 hours), but now takes 165 minutes with Science or just 125 minutes without Science. This cuts the core test down to just over 2 hours.
Even though the test is shorter, students actually have more time per question than before. On average, they now get about 18% more time on each question (roughly 9 extra seconds), which can help reduce rushing and careless errors.
The table below shows how much time students get per question in each section.
Reduced Answer Choices for Math Questions
Along with having fewer total questions, each multiple-choice question in the Math section will also have one fewer answer choice. Previously, Math questions offered five answer options, but they will now have four.
Science Test is Now Optional
The ACT’s Science section is now optional, much like the Writing section has long been. This section tests skills such as data interpretation and scientific reasoning, but it will no longer be required for all students.
Whether to take it will depend on each student’s situation. Some colleges may still recommend or require a Science score, and it can also strengthen an application for STEM majors. For others, skipping it can shorten the test and reduce fatigue.
When will the changes take place?
These changes will be rolled out in several different steps. In fact, students taking the National (Saturday) ACT have already started seeing the new format.
- April 2025 - for the National (Saturday) online version
- September 2025 - for the National (Saturday) paper version
- Spring 2026 - for School Day testing, online and paper versions
- Spring 2026 - for international online testing
Note: The new composite scoring, based only on English, Math, and Reading, will roll out first to students testing online on national Saturday dates in April, June, or July 2025. All other testers will move to this system starting September 1, 2025.
How will the changes in the ACT benefit students?
With shorter overall testing time and more minutes per question, the new ACT is designed to help students pace themselves without feeling rushed.
Instead of racing the clock, test takers have more space to slow down, think carefully, and avoid careless mistakes. This shift creates a calmer and more focused experience, which not only reduces stress but also helps maintain focus throughout the entire exam.
By easing time pressure and mental fatigue, the enhanced ACT gives students greater control over how they approach each section while still measuring the core skills and knowledge colleges expect.
Overall, the Enhanced ACT marks a major shift, aiming to create a faster, less stressful test experience while still giving colleges the academic data they need.
