What you need to know about the upcoming changes to the ACT

The reduction in the amount of time to take the test is significant. Most of the sections on the ACT have increased the amount of time allotted to each question while reducing the number of questions and the length of the section. Thus making the exam more accessible to more students.

The composite scoring will remain the same, with a range of 1-36. The calculation will focus on the English, Math, and Reading scores, comprehensively evaluating students' academic abilities. The optional science section will contribute to a separate STEM score.

The timeline for the rollout of the changes will begin in April 2025 and be fully implemented by the spring of 2026. The new ACT changes will go into effect for the digital version in April 2025 for the U.S. national test dates. The paper test format will remain the same. By the fall of 2025, the changes will apply to international and paper-based tests for national test dates. By spring 2026, all states and districts administering the test will transition to the new one.

The changes to the length of time for the exam, the required sections, and the digital format look to make the ACT more accessible and adaptable while maintaining its core academic assessments. These changes also help ACT compete with the now digital SAT exam.