In April 2025, the ACT underwent a series of structural and score reporting changes. These changes are summarized below.

Structural Changes:

• There are now fewer questions, and more time is given for each question.
• The basic test (Reading, Math, and Writing) is now 70 minutes shorter – only 125 minutes vs 195 minutes.
• Math: the number of answer choices has been reduced from five to four.
• The ACT Science section is now optional.
• Both paper-and-pencil and online test options will be available for all tests.

Scoring Changes:

• The ACT Composite score will be based on performance on the English, math, and reading sections. Students will still have the option to take all five sections previously offered, including science and writing, allowing for a more tailored testing experience. Those who opt to take the science section will also receive a STEM score, and those who choose to take the writing section will also receive an ELA score (all section scores will still be provided).
• Students choosing to take the National online test will have their ACT Superscore calculated using their English, math, and reading section scores.

Summary and Analysis:

These changes were inevitable. The ACT has been losing ground to the SAT steadily since 2016, when ACT actually overtook SAT as the most popular college admission test in America. However, in 2024, 60% more students took the SAT than the ACT. This is a remarkable change based on superior marketing initiatives by the College Board, purveyors of the SAT, over those of ACT. Also, over this time SAT has introduced more science questions, although they are not in a separate scored section as they are with the ACT. The nature of the two tests remains somewhat different, with the SAT generally favoring strategic thinkers, and the ACT generally favoring more straightforward, analytical thinkers.ACT Testing Date AY 2025-2026.

ACT Test Dates for AY 2025-2026

• Sept 6, 2025 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: Aug 1, 2025, Aug 19, 2025)
• Oct 18, 2025 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: Sept 12, 2025, Sept 30, 2025)
• Dec 13, 2025 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: Nov 7, 2025, Nov 24, 2025)
• Feb 14, 2026 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: Jan 9, 2026, Jan 23, 2026)
• April 11, 2026 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: March 6, 2026, March 24, 2026)
• June 13, 2026 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: May 8, 2026, May 29, 2026)
• July 11, 2026 (Reg/Late Reg Deadlines: June 5, 2026, June 24, 2026)