Big Changes to the ACT in 2025–26: What Every Student & Parent Needs to Know — And Why ACT Prep Matters More Than Ever

The ACT is undergoing its biggest updates in years, introducing new formats, options, and timelines. If you’re planning to take the ACT (or retake it), here’s what’s changing, when, why it matters — and how smart preparation can help you make the most of the new test.

What’s Changing

ACT has launched its “Enhanced ACT,” with several changes designed to make the test shorter, more flexible, and more aligned with students’ strengths.

Change	What’s New	Why It Matters
Shorter Test & Fewer Questions	The test has 44 fewer questions. The required core (English, Math, Reading) portion is around 2 hours and 5 minutes in testing time (excluding any optional sections)	Less fatigue. More time per question. More breathing room for students who get anxious under tight timing.
Optional Science & Writing Sections	The Science section is now optional for most students; if you do take it, it’s reported separately and doesn’t factor into your composite score. Writing (the essay) remains optional.	Flexibility to tailor test to strengths and college goals. If Science isn’t your strong suit or isn’t required by your target schools, you can skip it. Always research what your colleges expect.
More Time per Question & Shorter Passages	With fewer questions, students will get more time per question. Reading passages are being shortened. Math answer choices go from 5 options to 4.	Less pressure per question, more chance to think carefully. Helps students who struggle with pacing or reading long texts.
Online / Digital & Paper Formats Still Offered	The ACT will continue to be offered either on paper or online (computer). The “ACT Gateway” platform is used for online testing. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) becomes possible starting September 2025 in some national test dates.	Flexibility in how and where you take the test; some students prefer paper, others prefer digital. Also means you’ll want to practice in the same medium you’ll test in.
Composite Score Calculation Changes	Starting in April 2025, for students taking online ACT National tests, the composite is calculated only from English, Math, and Reading (i.e. excluding Science). For all test takers, the newer enhanced version (online or paper) shifts that same composite‐score rule.	Students’ strengths in Math, Reading, English become more central. If Science or Writing were strong points for you, you’ll need to decide whether adding them makes sense given your target schools.

When These Changes Take Effect

• April 2025: The enhanced ACT begins online during Saturday National test dates. Students who take the ACT online at that point get the newer format.

• September 2025: The paper version of the test on Saturday National dates also switches to the enhanced format.

• Spring 2026: School‐day (state/district) ACT test administrations (both online & paper) begin using the enhanced format. Some states/districts can choose to test over more than one day.

Why These Changes Matter for You (Students & Parents)

• Reduced test fatigue: shorter duration and fewer questions make the experience less exhausting.

• More control over what you take: optional sections give you choice—if your strengths align better with core sections, you might be able to skip Science or Writing and use your test‐time and energy more effectively.

• Need to adapt study strategy: with fewer questions, each question has slightly more weight. There’s less margin for error. So being accurate (not just fast) becomes more critical.

• Medium matters: If you’ll take the ACT online, practicing in that format (with the same user interface, tools like built‐in calculator, etc.) will help reduce surprises on test day.

• Staying aware of college/scholarship requirements: Even though Science and Writing are optional, some colleges may still require or prefer them. Using your test score strategically means knowing what your target schools expect!

Why ACT Prep & Tutoring Is More Important Than Ever

1. Pacing & Accuracy Coaching With fewer questions and more weight per question, missing a question can have a bigger impact. Effective tutoring focuses on both accuracy and speed—helping with test‐taking strategies, timing, avoiding careless errors.

2. Targeted Content Review Just because the content areas remain similar doesn’t mean the challenge is the same. Tutors can help strengthen weaker areas (especially if considering Science or Writing), and adjust focus since the enhanced test shifts emphasis a bit.

3. Reducing Anxiety, Building Confidence Change can cause stress. Students who work with tutors or prep programs often feel more prepared, less worried, which can improve performance under pressure.

4. Maximizing Superscore & Retake Strategy Because ACT is offering superscoring (you can combine your best section scores across test dates) and there are different versions in play, having a strategy for when to test, which sections, and whether to retake is valuable. A tutor can help with planning that out!

The Bottom Line

ACT’s new enhancements give students more control, less stress, and a more efficient test experience — but only if you plan ahead. For students who adapt and prepare well, these changes are an opportunity. Those who don’t may be caught off guard. That’s why ACT prep and tutoring aren’t just helpful—they can be game changers in this new testing era.

If you’re ready, our ACT tutoring / prep services are designed specifically for the Enhanced ACT: we help students pick the right format, practice in realistic conditions, and build a score-strategy that aligns with their college goals. Want to learn more? We’d be happy to walk you and your student through a customized prep plan.

https://www.learningpoweracademics.com/act-test-prep