By: Nevada Ryan

Ever since ACT, Inc. announced its enhanced test in July 2024, we’ve been closely monitoring the changes and what they mean for students. On our ACT page, you’ll find a detailed overview with all of the key updates of the test, such as shorter duration, fewer questions, and an optional Science section. But with the first administration of this new version rapidly approaching, there’s a lot more to consider: logistical challenges, preparation options, and the implications of its structural chances. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most important updates, insights, and recommendations to help you navigate this transition with confidence.

Critical Details to Consider

1. Science Optionality Issues

Now that the Science section is no longer required, many students find the test more enticing, but the removal of a key section also poses questions regarding how the new ACT as a whole will be interpreted by colleges and universities. Admissions officers at most top-tier institutions have (unofficially) indicated that they will likely still require the Science section, at least for the next few years and until more data become available. Consequently, until schools start unveiling official admissions policies regarding the ACT’s optional Science section, it’s safe to assume that students should plan on taking the Science section anyway, which means the optional Science section, at least in the short term, will be optional in name only.

2. Tradeoffs

It’s important to note that while a shorter test with fewer questions is indeed attractive, the benefits must be balanced against the reality that the test will now be slightly more difficult. This is because the removal of the Science section eliminates a significant portion of the current assessment, concentrating the scoring distribution across the remaining “core” sections (English, Math, and Reading). This increased weighting will make it harder for students to achieve the same composite scores.

Moreover, ACT, Inc. has stated that it will not update its concordance tables, meaning a score of 30 on the new test is intended to reflect the same achievement as a 30 on the old test. However, achieving that score on a test with only three sections instead of four is inherently more demanding. This isn't a drawback but rather a reminder to weigh the appeal of a shorter test against the reality of its implications.

3. Amplified Math Representation

With the Math section now constituting one-third of a student's overall score (instead of one-fourth, which is the case for the current ACT), it will be more challenging for students to rely on stronger performances in other sections to compensate for possible mathematics deficiencies. Like the tradeoffs mentioned above, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it simply means we need to take this into consideration as we commit to this new test structure.

4. Limited Seating

ACT, Inc. has heavily promoted its enhanced ACT, and given its history of logistical challenges with computer-based testing centers, it’s reasonable to anticipate limited seating for the first few test dates.

This isn’t just speculation. We attempted to register for the enhanced ACT near a Santa Monica zip code and found only one available slot: April 5th in Perris, CA. This location is 75 miles from Santa Monica, indicating that closer test centers are either already full or have declined hosting requests. Granted, ACT, Inc. has told us that additional seating may become available, advising us to check for April availability after the February test, June availability after the April test, and July availability after the June test. Until those dates pass, however, it seems that spring and summer 2025 testing for the enhanced ACT remains highly limited.

5. Insufficient Practice Materials

First, if you intend to take the new version of the test, be aware that, as of this article’s publication, the resources on the ACT’s Free ACT Practice Test and Resources page—even if they say “Online Practice Test”—corresponds to the current ACT, not the upcoming one. 

Second, while a sample version of the new test is on ACT, Inc.’s website, we regret to say that it isn’t particularly helpful. The questions and passages are simply recycled from previously released tests, and the reporting data provided after each completed section lacks crucial information: no scaled score is given, making it difficult for students to gauge their preparation level; there is no answer key, which means students can’t even know what answers they selected or which ones are correct; and the questions aren't numbered, making cross referencing the report with the actual test questions a highly tedious process. Consequently, the report (and thus the test itself) can't be used in any meaningful sense.

Our contact at ACT, Inc. has told us that there’s “More to come from the ACT Prep Guide and the 2025-2026 Preparing for the ACT Test over the coming months as well,” but until those materials are released, this makeshift practice version is all they’ve offered.

Next Steps

What does all of this mean for students?

While we can’t address the logistical and scoring challenges (the former of which will likely subside as the test’s rollout stabilizes), we do have control over preparation materials. As with our digital SAT curriculum, we’ve partnered with a developer to source high-quality online ACT practice tests. These training exams, set to launch in early March, replicate the format of the enhanced ACT, covering the same subject areas and skills, and include comprehensive score reporting features: a scaled score, an answer key, category tags for each question (helping students identify areas for improvement), and an elapsed time metric showing how long it took to answer each question. In fact, based on the quality and features of our product, it’s fair to say we’ve invested more effort into developing a functional online ACT test and reporting system than ACT, Inc. has with theirs. While we will switch to using ACT, Inc.'s official materials when they become available, we are confident that our service is, for now, best in class.

If you have questions about the current testing landscape or need guidance choosing between the SAT and ACT, feel free to contact us at (888) 917-PREP (7737) or email contact@gecollegeprep.com. Whether you’re looking for targeted advice to improve a specific test section or starting from scratch, we’re here to provide the tools and support you need to succeed.

For additional details on the ACT, visit our official ACT page and ACT, Inc.'s ACT Test Enhancements overview. As ACT, Inc. continues to refine its enhanced test and release updated materials, we’ll keep this blog current with the latest information. Count on us as your trusted resource for all things test prep.