ACT just announced some exciting and significant updates to its test format. These changes have implications for students, families, and educators, so our team will work diligently, as always, to keep you informed and to keep our resources up-to-date to ensure every Winward Academy student is set up for success.
Here’s a summary of what you need to know:
When will the new ACT format changes take effect?
- National Testing changes begin in Spring 2025
The new ACT format will be available for students taking the test on national test dates starting in Spring 2025. That means that the test format will remain the same for the September 14, 2024, October 26, 2024, December 14, 2024, and February 8, 2025 testing dates. Expect to see the new format in the April 13, 2025 exam. - School-Day Testing changes begin in Spring 2026 – For students taking the ACT on school-day test dates, the new format will be introduced in Spring 2026.
What’s changing with the new ACT format?
- Optional Science Section – Starting in the Spring of 2025, the science section of the ACT will be optional. Students will be able to take the ACT with (option 1) just the core sections—English, Reading, and Math; (option 2) the core sections plus optional Science; (option 3) the core section plus optional Writing; (option 4) the core sections plus optional Science and optional Writing.
- Shorter Test Time – Similar to the SAT, which got shorter in its new digital format, the ACT is getting shorter, too. The core test will now take only 2 hours, down from the current 3 hours. With 44 fewer questions (so 171 questions instead of the current 215), the test is designed to be more manageable, helping students stay focused and perform their best.
- Shorter Passages and More Time Per Question – Test takers will see shorter passages in the English and Reading sections with fewer questions per passage and more time, on average, to answer each question. This change is aimed at reducing fatigue and giving students more time to produce thoughtful answers.
ACT believes this new format flexibility will allow students to play to their strengths and showcase their abilities more effectively while maintaining the core aspects of the exam for all students.
What’s staying the same with the new ACT format?
- Scoring System – The 1–36 scoring scale remains unchanged. Students will still get a composite score that averages their English, Reading, and Math scores, along with individual section scores for Science and/or Writing (if students take those optional sections).
- Flexible Testing Options – Students can continue to choose between taking the ACT in paper-and-pencil or online format, whichever suits them better.
- Optional Writing Section – The optional writing section is here to stay for those who want to demonstrate their writing skills.
For more details, check out ACT’s full announcement here.
Our team at Winward Academy will continue to monitor these developments and update our ACT prep tools and resources to reflect the new changes. If you have any questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thanks for being part of our community, and we’re excited to support you in your test preparation journey!
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About Winward Academy – Winward Academy is one of the world’s leading innovators in the online education space, providing web-based academic support that enhances students’ knowledge, confidence, and competitiveness in middle and high school academics and in college applications. We help thousands of students every year by providing personalized, comprehensive ACT and SAT test preparation and extensive math curriculum support. The Winward Academy learning platform honors over 40 years of education and cognitive psychology research, incorporating proven techniques that promote effective learning.
Winward Academy’s unmatched reputation is wholly attributable to our students’ exceptional success and to the trust earned among students, parents, and schools around the world.
