As Minnesota’s leader in ACT and SAT test prep for college-bound students, Flying Colors takes great interest in any exam changes coming down the pike. In this article, we cover what you can expect from the proposed new ACT format.
A More Flexible Exam
Are you ready for a “new and improved” ACT test? Changes coming to the new ACT exam in April 2025 should help to address two often-cited drawbacks of the test: stressful time constraints and a mandatory science section.
Test scores will still be reported on the current scale of 1-36, and online testing will continue to be offered in select locations, but the content and structure of the new exam will be noticeably different.
The New ACT Core Test
If the ACT makes good on its promises (and that’s a big “if”), students testing in Spring 2025 will enjoy a shorter core ACT test— just two hours instead of the current three—with sections in English, math, and reading.
The reduced testing time is a result of three updates: fewer questions in each section, shorter passages in the reading and English sections, and the elimination of science as a required section. With these changes, students will have more time to answer each question
Science Optional
Along with the current optional writing section, the science section will also become optional beginning in April 2025 according to the ACT’s proposal. This change will likely make the new ACT more appealing to students who might typically choose the SAT due to a lack of confidence in their science knowledge.
While there may still be colleges that require the ACT science section, the core ACT exam will be on a more even playing field with the SAT exam for those who do not identify science as a key skill or interest.
Greater Flexibility
With flexible options for added subject testing, the new ACT will offer students the opportunity to “focus on their strengths and showcase their abilities in the best possible way.” Students will have four testing options: the core ACT, the ACT plus writing, the ACT plus science, or the ACT plus both writing and science.
A Student-Centered Approach
Over the years, the ACT has had to overcome several perceived weaknesses of its test, including difficult pacing, the reluctance of some students to be tested on science, and even questions about the reliability and accuracy of the science section itself.
With the new optional science section and a shorter core exam, the new ACT has taken a step towards addressing these concerns and offering a testing experience with more appeal to a broader audience of college applicants.
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