Should you Take the ACT Science Test When it Becomes Optional?

Should You Skip the ACT Science Test? What You Need to Know for 2025

The ACT Science section is going optional in April 2025—but is skipping it a smart move? Here’s what students and parents need to know before making a decision.

The Big ACT Change: What’s Happening in 2025?

If you’re planning to take the ACT in April 2025 or later, you’ll notice a major shift: the ACT Science section will no longer be required. This means students can choose whether or not to take it on test day.

At first glance, this might seem like great news—one less section to worry about, right? But before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this change affects your overall score, college admissions, and test-taking strategy.

In our latest episode of the Test Prep+ Podcast, we break down exactly what this change means for students and parents. Keep reading for a sneak peek, then listen to the full episode here 👉 [Insert Podcast Link]

Should You Take the ACT Science Section?

Deciding whether to take the Science section depends on a few key factors:

✅ You Should Take the ACT Science Section If…

• You’re applying to STEM programs (science, technology, engineering, or math)

• Your target colleges still require or recommend a full ACT score, including Science

• You’re strong in data analysis, reading graphs, and interpreting experiments

• You want to maximize your composite ACT score (since skipping Science removes one section from the calculation)

❌ You Might Consider Skipping It If…

• Your target schools don’t require the Science section

• Science is your weakest subject, and skipping it allows you to focus on improving Math, Reading, and English

• You want to minimize test fatigue and concentrate on sections that impact your score the most

How Does Skipping ACT Science Affect Your Score?

The ACT is scored based on four sections:

• English

• Math

• Reading

• Science

When you take all four sections, your composite score is the average of those four. However, if you skip Science, your composite score will be based only on the remaining three sections.

This could be a good or bad thing, depending on your strengths:

✔️ If Science is a weak point, skipping it might actually improve your composite score.

❌ But if Science is a strong subject for you, taking it could boost your overall score and make you more competitivefor college admissions.

How Will Colleges View This Change?

Right now, it’s unclear how every college will handle the new ACT format. Some schools may still require a full ACT score with Science, while others may be flexible.

That’s why it’s critical for students to check the admission requirements of their target colleges before deciding to skip the Science section.

Here’s a quick action plan:

📌 Make a list of your top-choice schools

📌 Visit their admissions websites to see if they still require Science

📌 Talk to an admissions counselor if you’re unsure

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Move for You?

This new change gives students more flexibility in their ACT test-taking strategy—but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best decision depends on your academic strengths, college goals, and personal test-taking strategy.

To dive deeper into this topic, tune in to our full podcast episode! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know so you can make the right choice for your future.

🎧 Listen to the episode now: On Apple Podcasts or on Spotify

📩 Have questions about the ACT or need help with your test prep strategy? Drop a comment below or reach out—we’re here to help!

For more tips and strategies, tune into the Test Prep+ podcast or explore our resources on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Let’s conquer the ACT together! 🎓

Check out all of the resources mentioned in this episode:

🔗 FREE ACT Science Practice Test with answers and raw score table: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:39d2f936-1e9e-48e1-86be-5fe533ba17e5

ACT Official Test Prep Book: Click here to purchase (paperback version) on Amazon. Click here to purchase the Kindle version on Amazon.

ACT Practice tests—we give you the paper test, you take it, we score it, and we tell you what to work on!  Click here to learn more: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/collections/practice-tests

ACT practice books—these books are the best out there!  Check them out here: https://upreptestprep.net/my-favorite-links

Subscribe to our newsletter to get free resources each week: https://u-prep-test-prep.myflodesk.com/freebie-signup

Good luck on your test prep journey!

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