The new Enhanced ACT is shorter than its predecessor and allows students more time per question. The following changes are scheduled to take effect starting with the April 2025 test for students who choose to test online. The paper test will change starting in September 2025. The statewide and district-wide School Day tests will change in spring 2026. After these transition dates, the ACT will have the same shorter Enhanced format in online testing and paper-based tests.
Note: the total time of the digital *SAT* is 2 hours, 14 minutes; total SAT question count is 98.
The online ACT is administered in proctored settings at schools and test centers, just like the paper test will continue to be. Unlike the digital SAT, the online ACT is NOT adaptive. As shown on the above chart, the Enhanced ACT test is being reduced from four sections to three — English, Math and Reading. The Science section is becoming optional; the Writing section (essay) will continue to be optional. ACT Composite scores and Superscores will use just English, Math and Reading.
Some things about ACT will not change.
- The Enhanced ACT will continue to be scored on the scale of 1 to 36.
- Unlike SAT, students may choose to take the Enhanced ACT on paper starting September 2025. The SAT is all digital.
- Unlike SAT, all ACT questions are multiple-choice and weighted equally regardless of difficulty.
- Unlike SAT, ACT will offer their detailed score reports and greater transparency on scoring.
Count on Dogwood for information and advice about choosing the best testing options for your student’s individual needs.
For more info on new Enhanced ACT, go to act.org/actenhancements