If you're planning to take the ACT in 2025 or later, major updates are coming. The exam is being redesigned to be shorter and more flexible.
What’s Staying the Same?
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The ACT will still be scored on a 1-36 scale.
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Past ACT scores will not change—if you took the test before 2025, your score remains valid.
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The Writing section remains optional, and most colleges do not require it.
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No new content is being introduced. The test will still assess the same subjects, just in a different format.
What’s Changing?
A Shorter, More Manageable Test
The ACT is being shortened by 70 minutes, reducing the total number of questions from 215 to 171. This means students will have more time per question, making the test more manageable.
The Math section is also changing, now offering four answer choices instead of five.
Flexible Science Section and Testing Format
One of the biggest changes is that the Science section is now optional:
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Paper-based test takers must still complete the Science section.
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Online test takers (April, June, and July 2025) can choose to skip it.
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By September 2025, both online and paper test takers will be able to opt out.
Students will also have the option to take the ACT online or on paper, but online testing must be done at an official ACT test center. It can’t be taken at home.
Scoring and Superscoring Remain the Same
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The composite ACT score (1-36) will still be based on English, Reading, and Math.
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If students take the optional Science section, they will receive a separate STEM score (an average of Math and Science).
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Superscoring remains, allowing colleges to consider the highest scores from different test dates.
Who Should Take the ACT?
Siena has been test-optional for over a decade, meaning students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission. However, there are still reasons why taking the ACT could be beneficial:
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Strong test scores can enhance your application, especially if your GPA isn’t as high as you’d like
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Other colleges may still require or prefer test scores for admissions or placement.
If you're unsure whether to take the ACT, talk to your school counselor or an admissions representative at Siena. They can help you decide if submitting test scores will strengthen your application.
Important Dates to Know
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April 2025 – New format launches for online test takers.
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April, June, and July 2025 – Online testers can opt out of the Science section, but paper testers must take it.
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September 2025 – Science section becomes optional for all test takers.
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Spring 2026 – The new format applies to school-day ACT testing.
What This Means for College Admissions?
These updates make the ACT shorter and more flexible, giving students more control over their test experience while keeping the scoring and subject matter familiar. Whether you are applying to competitive colleges, seeking scholarships, or deciding between the ACT and SAT, understanding these changes can help you plan your testing strategy.
For official test dates, registration details, and pricing, visit act.org.
