The 2025-2026 school year marks a major change for college-bound students with the rollout of the new enhanced ACT. The updated version includes a digital testing option, faster score delivery, and a few tweaks to how questions are presented. While the core subjects, including English, Math, Reading, and Science remain the same, the new format is designed to better reflect real-world problem-solving and digital literacy. “There are fewer questions in several of the sections, so you have more time per question,” St. Andrew’s College Counselor Annie Elliot said. “The Math especially has made notable shifts, with them reducing the number of the hardest type of questions.” 

Because students have the opportunity to decide whether they want to take the ACT on paper or online, many feel that it is more inclusive of everyone’s way of test taking. “I do so much better taking tests online, so I was really excited when they started allowing us to take it digitally,” Senior Nidhyati Trehan said. “My score improved a lot over the summer when I could start taking it digitally.” Other students are happy that they still offer the paper version because that is how they take tests best. “If I was forced to take the digital version, I would be doomed,” Senior Paxton McLin said. “I always do significantly better when taking things on paper, so I am thankful they still offer it.” 

The ACT’s timing and number of questions has changed in different categories. All categories have fewer questions, allowing people to have more time per question. The Science section has also become optional for everyone. These changes have helped many people’s scores rise significantly. “My score goes up when I do not take Science, so I am glad it was taken out of my superscore,” Trehan said. “I feel that overall, the test has gotten way better and allows people ample time to answer every question.” The new ACT having an optional Science section is seen as better in the long run due to the concern that it was not accurately showing people’s skill sets in that area. “They quit making the Science section mandatory because it has been proven to not be a good indicator of future success,” Elliot said. “If it is not doing the thing it is supposed to do, then there is no reason for folks to take it.”