2025 ACT Changes: Your Complete Guide to What's New

The ACT is undergoing its biggest transformation in over a decade, and if your student is planning to take the test in 2025 or beyond, everything you think you know is about to change. From shorter test times to optional sections and a complete digital makeover, here's your comprehensive guide to navigating these major updates.

The Big Picture: What's Really Changing

The ACT organization is calling this a "modernization" of the test, but what does that actually mean for students and families? The changes represent a fundamental shift toward digital testing, shorter test duration, and more strategic flexibility for test-takers.

Digital-First Approach

The most visible change is the push toward digital testing. While paper tests haven't completely disappeared yet, the digital format is becoming the primary option. For students taking the digital ACT this summer, they'll experience the new format on computer. When registering, it's crucial to choose the correct format—digital or paper—based on your preference and preparation strategy.

The digital shift brings several advantages: faster scoring (theoretically), built-in tools like integrated calculators and highlighting features, and elimination of bubbling errors. However, it also presents challenges including screen fatigue and the adjustment for students who prefer working with paper and pencil.

Field Test Questions: What You Need to Know

All test sections will now include experimental, unscored questions mixed throughout the test. These "field test questions" don't count toward your score—they're simply helping ACT develop future test questions. The catch? You won't know which questions are experimental, so you must approach every question as if it counts toward your final score.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

English Section: Streamlined and Practical

The English section is getting a significant overhaul:

• Questions reduced: From 75 to 50 questions

• Time remains: 35 minutes (but now you get 42 seconds per question instead of 36)

• New format: Each question now includes a question stem—no more starting answers with "NO CHANGE"

• Content shift: Less emphasis on picky grammar rules, more focus on real-world editing skills like clarity, logic, and flow

• Passage structure: Now features 6 passages (4 with 10 questions each, 2 with 5 questions each)

Math Section: Higher-Level Focus

Mathematics is becoming more challenging with these changes:

• Questions reduced: From 60 to 45 questions (plus 4 field test questions)

• Time reduced: 50 minutes total

• Answer choices: Only 4 options instead of 5 (increasing your odds to 25%)

• Content shift: Reduced emphasis on basic pre-algebra (from 40% to 20% of test), increased focus on algebra, geometry, and functions

• Difficulty increase: This section is expected to be more challenging overall

Reading Section: More Time to Think

The Reading section receives student-friendly adjustments:

• Questions reduced: From 40 to 36 questions (plus 9 field test questions)

• Time increased: 40 minutes (5 minutes more than before)

• Enhanced focus: Greater emphasis on evidence-based questions

• Passage labeling: Only literary narrative passages are clearly labeled; others are simply marked as "informational"

• Strategic consideration: Students using passage-order strategies will need to identify passage types themselves

Science Section: Now Optional

Perhaps the most dramatic change is making the Science section optional:

• Timeline: Optional starting April 2025 for digital tests, September 2025 for all formats

• Format unchanged: Still 40 questions in 35 minutes for those who choose to take it

• Strategic decision: Students must carefully consider whether taking Science helps or hurts their composite score

The Shorter Test Advantage

One of the most student-friendly changes is the overall test length reduction of 15-20%. This addresses the major complaint about test stamina and mental fatigue during the final sections. However, this isn't about rushing through questions faster—the time per question remains roughly the same. Instead, students spend less total time in the testing room while maintaining the same level of thoughtful engagement with each question.

Digital Testing: Benefits and Challenges

The Advantages

• Faster scoring: Digital tests promise quicker result turnaround

• Built-in tools: Integrated calculator, highlighting capabilities, and improved navigation

• Error reduction: No more bubbling mistakes or alignment issues

• Familiar format: More similar to how students take tests in school

The Challenges

• Screen fatigue: Reading passages on computer screens for extended periods

• Note-taking differences: Some students think better with paper and pencil

• Technical risks: While rare, computer issues can be stressful and disruptive

• Adjustment period: Students need time to become comfortable with digital tools

Strategic Preparation Tips

Update Your Materials

Any prep materials from before 2024 are now outdated. The question counts, timing, and format have all changed significantly. While older materials can still help with content review, they won't provide accurate timing practice or format familiarity.

Practice Digitally

If taking the digital test, students must practice on computers. This means using online practice tests, getting comfortable with digital highlighting and note-taking tools, and simulating real test conditions without distractions or pauses.

Master Fundamentals First

With fewer questions per section, every question carries more weight. There's less room for error, making solid fundamentals even more critical. Focus on core concepts before advancing to complex topics.

Develop Your Science Strategy

Students must decide whether to take the optional Science section. This decision should be based on individual strengths, college requirements, and how Science affects the composite score. Research every target college's Science section requirements before making this choice.

Action Plan for Students and Parents

For Parents

1. Research Science section requirements at all target colleges

2. Set up a proper practice environment at home

3. Help your student choose between digital and paper formats based on their learning style

4. Schedule family discussions about testing timeline and goals

For Students

1. Take a full practice ACT with the new format and field test questions

2. Calculate composite scores with and without the Science section

3. Identify your weakest section and create a targeted improvement plan

4. Practice extensively in your chosen format (digital or paper)

Timeline Considerations

• Current juniors: Can choose between current ACT format (paper tests through July 2025) or new format (digital tests starting summer 2025, all formats starting September 2025)

• Sophomores and younger: Will definitely take the new format, so all preparation should focus on 2025 changes

Looking Ahead

The 2025 ACT changes represent opportunities rather than obstacles for well-prepared students. A shorter test reduces fatigue, digital tools can enhance performance, and the optional Science section provides strategic flexibility. The key is understanding these changes and preparing accordingly.

Success with the new ACT requires updated materials, format-appropriate practice, and strategic decision-making about optional sections. Students who prepare intelligently for these specific changes will have significant advantages over those using outdated information and materials.

Remember: the ACT is changing, but student potential isn't. With proper preparation and understanding of the new format, students can achieve their target scores and reach their college goals.

Key Takeaways

• The 2025 ACT is 15-20% shorter but maintains similar time per question

• Digital testing is becoming the primary format with unique tools and challenges

• Every section has fewer questions, making each question more important

• Science becomes optional, requiring strategic decision-making

• Field test questions are mixed throughout but don't count toward scores

• Updated preparation materials and digital practice are essential for success

The biggest shake-up to the ACT in over a decade is here, but with the right preparation and strategy, students can navigate these changes successfully and achieve their college admission goals.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

·       Check out our ACT Bootcamp happening June 2, 3, & 4 virtually.  It gives you specific strategies for the old vs. new format, plus specific strategies and content for each section of the ACT.  Click here to learn more: bit.ly/UP-live

·       Check out the new Official ACT Test Prep books here: https://upreptestprep.net/my-favorite-links

·       Looking for ACT Practice Tests?  Check out some options here: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/collections/practice-tests

·       Do you need help with creating a study plan? Do you know how to figure out your goal score?  You need our Master Plan for the ACT mini-course.  In just 3 steps, you will have all you need to get starting with your ACT Test Prep.  Check it out here: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/courses/master-plan-act-bootcamp

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

Good luck on your test prep journey!

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