ACT Facts & Important Updates Parents Should Know (2025–2026)
- Learning Power Academics
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The ACT Has Changed
The ACT has undergone major updates beginning in 2025, and many parents are still unaware of the new format and scoring changes.
Biggest ACT Changes Parents Need to Know
The ACT is now shorter than before.
Core testing time dropped from about 3 hours to just over 2 hours.
The Science section is now optional.
Students can choose whether or not to take Science depending on college goals and strengths.
Students can now take the ACT online or on paper in many locations.
Digital testing has expanded nationally.
The Composite ACT score is now based on:
English
Math
Reading
(Science no longer automatically counts toward the Composite score)
Students now receive more time per question due to fewer total questions.
This slightly reduces pacing pressure, but strategy and accuracy still matter greatly.
ACT still scores students on a 1–36 scale.
Even a small increase can significantly impact scholarship opportunities and college admissions competitiveness.
Why ACT Scores Matter More Than Parents Realize
Higher ACT Scores Can Lead To:
Increased college acceptance opportunities
Merit scholarships worth thousands of dollars
Stronger applications for competitive universities
Placement out of remedial college courses
Greater confidence during the college admissions process
Many colleges continue to use ACT scores for:
Merit-based scholarships
Honors program admissions
Academic placement
Competitive admissions decisions
Common ACT Mistakes Students Make
Many students:
Wait too long to begin prep
Assume school curriculum alone is enough
Take the ACT “cold” without strategy training
Struggle with timing and pacing
Don’t know how to approach ACT-specific question styles
Focus only on content instead of test-taking strategy
The ACT is not just a knowledge test — it is heavily based on:
Timing
Efficiency
Pattern recognition
Strategic elimination
Endurance and pacing
Why Summer Is the BEST Time for ACT Prep
Summer gives students the opportunity to:
Prepare without school-year stress
Build foundational math and grammar skills
Learn ACT-specific strategies
Improve pacing and timing
Practice consistently without burnout
Enter junior or senior year ahead of the curve
Students who prep during the summer often:
Feel significantly more confident
Avoid cramming during the school year
Test earlier and potentially multiple times
Have more opportunities to improve scores
Can ACT Tutoring Really Raise Scores?
Yes — with consistent preparation, many students improve their ACT scores dramatically.
A structured ACT tutoring program can help students:
Improve weak subject areas
Learn high-scoring test strategies
Increase speed and accuracy
Reduce testing anxiety
Build confidence through repeated practice
A 5+ point increase is absolutely achievable.
For many students, that score jump can:
Open scholarship opportunities
Expand college choices
Strengthen admissions competitiveness
Save families thousands in tuition costs
Why 1–2 Hours Per Week Makes a Huge Difference
Students do not need to spend all summer studying.
Consistent weekly ACT tutoring:
Keeps skills sharp
Builds long-term retention
Prevents overwhelm
Allows gradual score growth
Fits around vacations, sports, camps, and summer activities
Even just:
1–2 hours weekly
Paired with guided practice can create major improvements by fall testing dates!
Summer ACT Tutoring =
A Competitive Advantage
Students who begin prep early are often:
More confident test takers
Better prepared academically
Less stressed during junior year
More competitive for scholarships and admissions
Summer is one of the few times students can focus on ACT growth without the pressure of:
Homework
Sports schedules
AP classes
Finals
Extracurricular overload
Starting now gives students a head start before the school-year rush begins.
For more information about ACT Test Prep options:
(952) 992-9237
Comments