1. The ACT Isn’t Going Fully Digital (Yet)

The ACT will continue offering both paper and digital options. But here’s the catch: the digital version has usability issues—from clunky calculators to highlight tools that don’t save between questions. Until these are addressed, we recommend families stick with pencil-and-paper testing.

✅ What to do: Unless digital is your student’s only option, paper remains the better choice for now.

2. Two ACT Versions Are In Use Right Now

Until August 2025, students may encounter one of two test formats:

• The Legacy ACT (used for paper testing and school-day testing)
• The Enhanced ACT (currently only offered digitally)

Starting in September 2025, the Enhanced ACT will be used for all Saturday test dates, both paper and digital. However, school-day and district ACTs will continue using the legacy version through spring 2026.

✅ What to do: Confirm your student’s test date and format. School-based testing may still be using the old version—even after the national shift.

3. The Science Section Is Now Optional

The Enhanced ACT makes the science section optional—just like the writing section. Some selective colleges (including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford) have already said they won’t require it. But many schools haven’t yet clarified their policy.

✅ What to do: If your teen’s college list isn’t finalized—or if any doubt remains—include the science section.

4. Fewer Questions, More Time… But It’s Not Easier

The Enhanced ACT includes about 20% more time per question and 40% fewer questions (if science is skipped). But the questions themselves are more complex and time-consuming. Students often report the new test still feels rushed.

✅ What to know: More time doesn’t equal more ease. The pace is still demanding—and test-taking stamina still matters.

5. Scores Are Staying the Same—With One Small Shift

Scores will continue using the 1–36 scale, and ACT–SAT concordance tables won’t change. However, ACT’s own data shows that students at the lower end of the scoring scale may earn slightly lower scores on the Enhanced ACT.

✅ What to know: Students with strong academic skills should see consistent results—but students who struggle with testing may need more targeted support.

6. Score Fluctuation Will Be More Common

With fewer scored questions, every answer matters more. That means more score variability from test to test—even when performance feels consistent.

✅ What to do: Plan for your student to take the ACT more than once. Superscoring remains important—and now it’s more impactful than ever.

7. Superscores Will Exclude Science Starting This Fall

Beginning in September 2025, ACT Superscores (which average your student’s best section scores across multiple test dates) will only include English, Math, and Reading—even if science was part of a prior test.

✅ What to do: If science is a strong section for your student, consider submitting that full test score in addition to their superscore.

8. You Can’t Skip the Hardest Passage Anymore

Experimental (unscored) questions are now embedded in each section—including entire reading passages. There’s no way to know which ones don’t count.

✅ What to do: Students should plan to complete every question. Strategies like “skip the hard passage” are no longer safe.

9. Section-Level Changes Add New Challenges

Each section of the Enhanced ACT has subtle but important shifts:

• English: Shorter passages, no idioms, more editing-based questions
• Math: Fewer answer choices (4 instead of 5), fewer extremely easy or hard problems
• Reading: Some passages include charts/tables (Visual & Quantitative Info)
• Science: Optional, but structure remains the same

✅ What to know: These updates favor students with strong reading comprehension and steady pacing across subjects.

10. ACT vs. SAT: The Core Differences Still Apply

Even with the changes, your decision between the ACT and SAT should still come down to fit. Here’s how to think it through:

• Your student may prefer the ACT if they:
• Work quickly and don’t need extra time to think through problems
• Prefer straightforward questions over logic puzzles
• Can recall math formulas easily without prompts
• Are stronger in basic math and reading comprehension
• Struggle with short, dense SAT-style reading passages

• Your student may prefer the SAT if they:
• Need more time per question
• Prefer fewer topics, but more depth (especially in algebra)
• Thrive on multi-step math and problem-solving
• Are rattled by time pressure or fast pacing
• Prefer short reading passages with logical reasoning challenges

✅ What to do: Still unsure? We recommend a diagnostic test in each format. The difference in comfort and performance is often immediate and instructive.

What Parents Should Do Now

This transition year comes with questions—but also clarity, once you know what to look for. Here’s where to focus:

• Confirm the format: Check test dates and clarify whether it’s a national or school-day administration.
• Stick with paper (for now): Digital is still glitchy. Use it only if it’s your student’s only option.
• Include the science section: It’s the safest choice until all college policies are confirmed.
• Plan to retest: With more score volatility, multiple attempts are key.
• Use updated prep resources: The Enhanced ACT requires updated strategies and materials. We’ll have them ready in July.
• Reach out if you’re unsure: We’re here to help you map out a testing strategy that’s tailored, timely, and student-centered.