What’s new in the Enhanced ACT?

The new “Enhanced ACT” is shorter, more tech-forward, and makes the Science section optional. The ACT, the second most popular undergraduate admissions exam in the U.S. (behind the SAT), has undergone significant updates in recent years, reflecting the evolving landscape of undergraduate admissions. Starting with the spring 2026 session, the Enhanced ACT officially replaced the old version of the exam, including for mandatory state and district ACT testing administration.

These ACT changes began rolling out in April 2025 for the digital ACT and in September 2025 for students taking the ACT on paper or internationally. This staggered rollout ensured consistent implementation of the Enhanced ACT format across multiple testing platforms and regions. If you plan on taking the ACT this fall or beyond, you’ll take the shorter, “enhanced” version, whether on a computer or with paper and pencil.

What’s new with the ACT? In this guide, we’ll break down the major updates, from scoring to category adjustments, so you can be prepared ahead of taking the exam.

What does this mean for ACT test-takers?

The Enhanced ACT is designed to offer greater flexibility while maintaining score validity and reliability. By narrowing the focus of the exam, administrators and universities can more accurately compare scores across differing student populations.

The updated ACT features a shorter test length and new options, such as the flexibility to include or exclude the Science section. The revised Composite score places greater emphasis on the core sections (English, Math, and Reading), reflecting a shift toward the subjects most valued by colleges. For students who complete the optional Science section, those scores are reported separately from the main Composite.

Breakdown of ACT sections

To better prepare yourself ahead of the ACT, it’s important to understand the content covered across each section, as well as the order in which the sections will be presented:

ACT English

• Conventions of Standard English (38-43%)
• Production of Writing (38-43%)
• Knowledge of Language (18-23%)

ACT Math

• Preparing for Higher Math (80%)
  • Number and Quantity (10-12%)
  • Algebra (17-20%)
  • Functions (17-20%)
  • Geometry (12-15%)
  • Statistics and Probability (12-15%)
• Integrating Essential Skills (20%)

[15-minute break between sections]

ACT Reading

• Key Ideas and Details (44-52%)
• Craft and Structure (26%-33%)
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (19-26%)

[End of exam for those not taking optional sections; short break before optional portions begin. Students proceed with either ACT Science or ACT Writing, depending on what they’re signed up for.]

ACT Science (Optional)

• Integration of Data (36-47%)
• Scientific Investigation (17-31%)
• Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (22-23%)

[End of exam for those not taking Writing, short break for all other students]

ACT Writing

• 1 prompt that asks you to analyze a complex issue from three different perspectives

Knowing which topics are the most heavily weighted, like grammar and algebra, will help you design a study plan that focuses on high-yield question areas.

Why the change?

The changes are driven by feedback from students and educators, with a focus on greater flexibility and expanded options for today’s test-takers. They modernize the exam with updated features and a more streamlined format that aligns with current educational standards.

What are the changes?

• Test format: The original ACT was on paper with bubbles to fill in; now students can also take the test on a computer in a proctored setting.
• Flexibility: Like the Writing section, the Science section is now optional. Students take the English, Math, and Reading sections to complete their Composite score.
• Online calculator: The online Desmos calculator is now available for weekend exams, not just weekday exams. Students still have the option to bring their own approved calculators.
• Reduced answer choices: Math question choices have been reduced from five to four.
• Category adjustments: Reporting categories have been adjusted to achieve a more balanced overall representation, and questions within each subject are reviewed and adjusted as needed.
• Accessibility: The online test option offers accessibility features, including page zooming, text-to-speech, and answer elimination.
• Content: The content is largely unchanged from before. Minor changes include: shorter passages in the Reading and English sections to accommodate varying reading speeds; question stems added to English questions that specifically target what’s being asked (tone, grammar, etc.); fewer grammar questions (Conventions of Standard English); fewer higher-grade-level Math items; and at least one Science engineering-and-design question.

What HASN’T changed:

• Administration choice: Students can still take the ACT on paper or on a computer, unlike other exams that have moved entirely digital, like the SAT.
• Static format: The ACT is not adaptive, and question difficulty is not based on performance. Students see an equal mix of easy and hard questions.
• Writing section: The ACT Writing or essay section remains optional.
• Question types: The exam is still multiple-choice, and many familiar question types (such as Visual and Quantitative Information, or VQI, questions in the Reading section) are still included.
• Measuring college readiness: The exam still measures academic preparedness for undergraduate study.

Question and time allotment changes

Below is the updated number of questions and the time (in minutes) allotted to each section of the ACT:

The Enhanced ACT reduces both the total number of questions and overall testing time, while giving students more time per question. The table focuses on the three core sections (English, Reading, and Math) that make up the Composite.

For the optional Science section, the revised format allocates 40 minutes for 40 questions, giving students one minute per question, up from 35 minutes for the same number of questions previously. Across all sections, experimental questions are now embedded within the test rather than appearing after the core content.

The core Enhanced ACT takes approximately 125 minutes to complete, excluding Science, compared with nearly three hours on the previous exam. With Science, the total test time extends to roughly 165 minutes.

Change in time per section

Below is the average time students spend on each question, in seconds.

Time per question has increased across the board, giving students more room to answer every item. That helps reduce the number of students who run out of time, and finishing more questions improves your chances of a higher score.

Bring your own device

Can you bring your own computer to the digital exam? Generally, yes, but device support is specific and changes over time (as of now, Windows or MacBooks are acceptable, but personal Chromebooks are not supported). Before test day, confirm your computer meets ACT’s current requirements and can run the ACT Gateway application. Most testing facilities also have computers available if you’d rather not bring your own.

ACT exam dates

Below are the 2026-27 exam dates along with registration and device-preparation deadlines, according to the official ACT website. Confirm these against the official page before you register, as ACT occasionally adjusts dates:

Students registering devices or requesting accommodations should register as early as possible to ensure they receive the support they need.

New ACT pricing

The ACT costs $70 for the core sections. As with Writing, the optional Science section carries an additional fee. The Science add-on is $5, significantly lower than the $25 Writing fee.

How will the scores change?

On the Enhanced ACT, your Composite score is the rounded average of your English, Math, and Reading section scores. This applies to both the digital and paper versions.

The Science section does not contribute to your Composite; if you take it, your Science score is reported separately (along with a STEM score). This means your Composite reflects only the three core subjects. ACT scores are generally available a few weeks after the test date, and you can send up to four score reports directly to colleges for free (reports for each additional school cost $20 each).

What’s next?

The official ACT prep guide has been revised in response to the changes. When preparing, make sure you’re using materials that align with the current ACT format. Up-to-date digital courses and recently printed workbooks will prepare you for the ACT’s current format. If taking the digital version of the ACT, familiarize yourself with ACT Gateway, the application used to administer the exam. This is also the application you will use to register your device if bringing your own. Additional registration and scoring information can be accessed by creating a MyACT account, where you'll also find your score report and can send scores to schools after taking the test.

Helpful tips from previous testers

A major shift in testing format can change how you take a test, so it’s worth getting familiar with the changes before test day. Some past test-takers noticed the slightly different timing but still found the overall exam long. Others appreciated that the exam is now more flexible and modular while keeping the feel and rigor of the previous test. The English section, in particular, has been reported to feel very similar to the previous format and practice exams.

Be aware that some test-takers noted that the scrolling feature for reading passages on the digital ACT can be slightly inconvenient. The best way to avoid hiccups is to take a few practice exams with the new format and get comfortable with the updated tools: this will best prepare you for the test day.

Conclusion

The Enhanced ACT changes aim to improve content, process, and the overall testing experience. The new digital format, added features, and revised timing streamline the exam, and the greater flexibility and expanded choices give students more control over how they test. As you prepare, you can take advantage of these new options to put your best foot forward on the ACT.