Upcoming Changes to the ACT test
There is a significant amount of misinformation concerning the recent changes announced by the ACT. Here is what you need to know.
In April 2025 the digital test will be a revised format. This DOES NOT include the digital tests given in-schools for their state assessments, but it is ONLY those Saturday/Sunday students who choose the computer version of the test. I do not suggest the digital format to ANY students for these reasons:
Wait? Isn’t the paper ACT going away? NO. NO. NO. This is the main piece of misinformation I read/hear. The ACT is committed to having a paper test available for students.
The paper format is changing in September 2025. We will see if all of these changes remain once the new test rolls out, but here are the proposed changes:
Students will need to check to see if their intended schools or major will want a science score. I am advising all students to still take the science section. The Bright Futures scholarship program in FL has announced they will still require that section for their program.
This does not change much for students. A shorter section with more time is a GREAT thing.
This does not change much for students. A shorter section with more time is a GREAT thing.
The math section will change from 5 multiple choice answers to 4 answers. Students will also have more time per question.
What does that mean for your family?
Class of 2025 should proceed as normal. Take the paper test with no writing & seek to secure the highest score for scholarships. Check the deadlines for securing those scores at all schools to which your student applies.
Class of 2026 should test and secure test scores THIS SCHOOL YEAR (2024-25) and be done testing by July 2025. Register for the paper test with no writing. I am suggesting that students give the new version (Sept 2025) a try as a LAST TEST to see if the changes are beneficial to their score. The ACT is set to release practice tests, so we have them to work on over the summer!
Why not wait for the revised test if you are a 2026? Well, the main reason is that we have LOTS of practice tests available for the current format. This allows for reaching a student’s max score.
Does your student need an at-home baseline test to see how much prep is needed? I partner with a company to generate a detailed score report on an at-home baseline. Click here: https://buy.stripe.com/6oEbIJ9t8117dTW28e
Class of 2027 should test ASAP if in Alg 2 right now. Students will follow the same timeline as Class of 2026 above. If your 2027 is in GEOMETRY this year, then I would baseline test in Fall of 2025 or later and not prep until the new version comes out.
As always, reach out for more information. My email is jenniferchenson@msn.com
Jen