How will the reduction in the number of questions and the overall ACT test length impact my child's preparation strategy?

With fewer questions and a shorter test, your child should focus more on accuracy and deep understanding instead of just quantity. Each question carries more weight, and students should practice the new pacing using official materials.

What are the key differences between the digital and paper versions of the ACT Test, and how should my child decide which format to choose?

The digital ACT is not adaptive and mirrors the paper test in format and difficulty. Choosing between the two depends on whether your child feels more comfortable reading and working on a screen or using a paper format.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking the optional science section of the ACT Test?

The science section can help students show strength in scientific reasoning and data analysis, which may matter for STEM-focused programs. The tradeoff is a longer testing experience and potentially more fatigue, so families should weigh college requirements and the student’s strengths.

How will the optional science and writing sections affect college admissions and scholarship opportunities?

Some colleges may consider optional science or writing scores for admissions, scholarships, or specialized programs, especially in STEM or humanities. Requirements vary by school, so families should review each college’s policies before deciding.

What specific changes have been made to the English and reading sections, and how should my child adjust their study plan accordingly?

The English and reading sections now use shorter passages and fewer questions, which gives students more time per question. Preparation should include practice with shorter passages, stronger comprehension work, and pacing practice that matches the new format.

How will the increased time per question influence my child's test-taking approach and pacing strategies?

More time per question should reduce rushing and allow students to think more carefully, but they still need pacing discipline. Regular timed practice with the new format can help build a steady rhythm that balances speed and accuracy.

What resources and practice tests are available to help my child prepare for the new format of the ACT?

ACT.org provides official practice tests and resources that reflect the new format. The House also offers free diagnostics and consultations to help build a more personalized prep plan.

How do the changes to the ACT Test compare to recent changes in the SAT Test, and how should we decide which test is better for my child?

The new digital ACT is shorter and offers more time per question, but it is not adaptive and keeps optional science. The SAT is fully digital and adaptive, so students should compare both formats and choose the one that fits their strengths and comfort level best.

What feedback or insights have educators and test prep experts provided about the new ACT test digital format?

Many educators and test prep experts see the added time per question as a positive change that may reduce stress and help performance. At the same time, they caution that students may need time to adjust to the new format and should prepare with updated practice materials.

How will the changes to the ACT Test impact my child's ability to achieve a higher composite score?

The added time per question and reduced question count may help students answer more accurately and make better use of their strengths. Results will still depend on preparation, familiarity with the format, and focused work on weak areas.

New ACT Test Info | The House Tutoring & Test Prep

The enhanced ACT: sections, timing, and scores

A shorter ACT with more time per question

English: 50 questions in 35 minutes.
Math: 45 questions in 50 minutes.
Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes.
Without science or writing: 131 questions in 2 hours and 5 minutes.
With science: 171 questions in 2 hours and 45 minutes, which is 44 fewer questions than the previous ACT with science.

These are standard testing times, excluding breaks and instructions. Approved accommodations may change timing. Students have more time per question; the increase varies by section.

Science and writing options

For national testing, students can add science, writing, both, or neither. Science adds 40 questions and 40 minutes; writing adds one essay prompt and 40 minutes.

For school-day testing, the state, district, or school contract determines whether science and writing are included. Students should check with their school.

Check each college, program, and scholarship provider’s requirements before selecting optional sections.

Composite score and format

The ACT Composite is the average of English, math, and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number on the 1–36 scale. Science and writing do not affect it.

The enhanced format applies to both paper and online national testing. The online ACT is not adaptive: its questions do not change based on a student’s answers.

Review ACT’s official test overview.

Free ACT or SAT diagnostic testing and evaluation

Identify your student’s preparation priorities before choosing a study plan.

Book your free diagnostic

Understanding the enhanced ACT

Paper and online testing

The enhanced ACT is available in both formats for national testing, subject to test-center availability. It began with national online testing in April 2025 and national paper testing in September 2025. State and district administrations transitioned to the enhanced format in spring 2026.

How superscoring works

The current ACT Superscore Composite combines a student’s highest English, math, and reading scores across test dates. Eligible section scores can come from the previous or enhanced format. Science and writing are reported separately when taken.

Each college decides whether it accepts superscores. Read ACT’s superscoring guidance.

What the changes mean for preparation

A shorter test does not guarantee a higher score or easier questions. ACT designed enhanced scores to be comparable with previous scores. Use current practice tests to learn the pacing and identify which skills need attention.

The test continues to assess college-readiness skills, including editing, mathematical reasoning, reading comprehension, and, when taken, scientific reasoning.

Why ACT updated the test

ACT introduced the enhanced format to shorten the testing experience, provide more time per question, and give families more options for national testing. Paper and online formats remain available.

The score scale remains 1–36. The changes are intended to maintain the meaning of ACT scores while giving students a more manageable testing experience.

At The House, we use diagnostic results to identify preparation priorities and help families choose a plan for their student.

Free ACT or SAT diagnostic testing and evaluation

Discuss your student’s starting point, test date, and preparation needs.

Book your free diagnostic

Frequently asked questions about the enhanced ACT

How should my child prepare for the shorter ACT?

Use official enhanced ACT practice tests and the current section time limits. Review mistakes to identify gaps in subject knowledge and pacing, then build a study plan around those needs. Older materials can still help with individual skills, but their question counts and timing may not match the current test. Fewer questions do not mean each question has a fixed or identical effect on the scaled score.

How should my child choose between the paper and online ACT?

Both formats use the enhanced structure and the same score scale. The online ACT is not adaptive, so its questions do not change in response to answers. The main differences are how students read, navigate, and record answers. Try official practice in each format and consider your student’s preferences, approved accommodations, and local test-center availability.

Should my child take the optional science section?

Check the requirements of your student’s colleges, intended programs, and scholarship providers before deciding. Science adds 40 questions and 40 minutes and provides a separate science score and a STEM score when combined with math. It does not affect the ACT Composite. For school-day testing, the school’s testing contract determines whether science is included.

How do science and writing affect admissions and scholarships?

Requirements vary by college, program, and scholarship provider. Do not assume that either optional section is universally required or that taking it automatically strengthens an application. Review each institution’s current policy. Science and writing scores are reported separately when taken; neither changes the current ACT Composite or Superscore Composite.

What changed in the English and reading sections?

English now has 50 questions in 35 minutes; reading has 36 questions in 40 minutes. Compared with the previous format, these sections include fewer questions and shorter passages, with more time per question. Practice editing, comprehension, and evidence-based reasoning using materials that match the enhanced ACT.

How should my child manage the additional time per question?

More time per question can provide additional room to read and reason, but pacing still matters. Use timed practice to establish checkpoints within each section, learn when to move on, and leave time to review when possible. The increase in time per question differs by section; a single percentage does not describe every section.

Where can my child find current ACT practice materials?

ACT provides free official practice tests and preparation resources. Choose materials labeled for the enhanced ACT. The House also offers free ACT and SAT diagnostic exams and a review of the results to help families plan their preparation. Explore our test prep services.

How does the enhanced ACT compare with the digital SAT?

The ACT is available on paper or online and is not adaptive. The digital SAT uses two modules in each section; performance in the first module determines the difficulty mix of the second. This is not question-by-question adaptation. The ACT also offers a separate science section. Compare current practice results, pacing, and format preferences rather than assuming either test is easier.

Does the enhanced ACT make it easier to earn a higher score?

The changes do not guarantee higher scores. ACT designed enhanced scores to be comparable with scores from the previous format. Additional time per question may change how a student experiences the test, but performance still depends on knowledge, accuracy, and preparation. Use a current diagnostic exam to establish a starting point.

How is the current ACT Composite calculated?

The Composite is the average of English, math, and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number, on the 1–36 scale. Science and writing do not count toward it. Skipping science therefore does not directly raise the Composite. The current Superscore Composite uses the highest English, math, and reading scores across eligible test dates; college superscoring policies vary.

The enhanced ACT explained

The enhanced ACT: sections, timing, and scores