A new era is approaching: the ACT is following the SAT’s lead and stepping into the digital world.
Starting April 2025, students who opt to take the ACT online will experience a shorter test format with more flexibility. One major update? The science section will become optional, giving students the freedom to decide whether or not to include it. The new digital test will debut in June 2025, while revised paper-based tests will roll out in September.
The ACT’s new composite score will focus on English, Math, and Reading, while the Science score will only be reported for students who choose to take that section. Despite the updates, the ACT will remain a linear exam (not section-adaptive like the digital SAT), meaning students take the test in order from start to finish, with no algorithmic adjustments.
Test Structure & Timing
Students can choose to complete the test with or without the Science or Writing sections and in either paper or digital format. Here’s how the core subjects break down:
If taking just English, Math, and Reading:
English: 35 minutes | 50 questions (~42 seconds per question)
Math: 50 minutes | 45 questions (~1:07 per question)
Reading: 40 minutes | 36 questions (~1:07 per question)
Total Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes (excluding short breaks)
If including Science and/or Writing:
Science: 40 minutes | 40 questions
Writing (Essay): 40 minutes | 1 prompt
Students choosing to take these optional sections will stay in the room while others are dismissed, with a short break in between.
2025 ACT Testing Timeline
April: School-day digital ACTs available (Windows & Chromebook only)
June: Digital ACT available to the public
September: Revised paper and digital formats fully implemented
Summary of Updates
Optional Science Section: Students can choose whether to include it
Shorter Test Time: The core ACT is reduced by 15 minutes and 44 fewer questions
Increased Time per Question:
English: +17% more time per question
Math: +11%
Reading: +27%
Shorter Passages in English and Reading
Math Questions: Reduced from 5 to 4 answer choices
No Separate Experimental Section: Unscored experimental questions will now be embedded
Composite Score: Only English, Math, and Reading are included
Super Scoring: Continues for English, Math, and Reading
What’s Staying the Same
ACT will still be scored on a 1–36 scale
Writing section remains optional
Students can still choose between paper or digital testing
Old scores from previous formats remain valid
Predictive validity for first-year college performance is unchanged
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Section | Current ACT | Time | New ACT | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 75 Qs | 45m | 50 Qs | 35m |
| Math | 60 Qs | 60m | 45 Qs | 50m |
| Reading | 40 Qs | 35m | 36 Qs | 40m |
| Total | 175 Qs | 140m | 131 Qs | 125m |
Digital or Paper?
The updated ACT gives students greater flexibility by allowing them to choose how they test. However, since the digital format is brand new, there’s no performance data yet to compare it with traditional paper scores.
Final Thoughts
The ACT’s updates follow closely behind the SAT’s transformation, aiming to remain competitive in the standardized testing landscape. While the overall testing time is shorter—particularly when skipping the science section—the difference isn’t drastic.
At College Prep Genius, we’re staying on top of these changes. Once the ACT releases its final version, we’ll provide a full analysis. Until then, be cautious of test-prep companies offering “updated ACT prep” ahead of the official release.
