The enhanced ACT: what changed in 2025
The ACT got 44 questions shorter, Science became optional and the Composite now averages three sections instead of four. Here's every change, when it started and what it means for scores you already have.
Old ACT vs enhanced ACT
Question counts include unscored try-out questions on the enhanced test.
| Before 2025 | Enhanced ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 75 questions, 45 min (36 sec each) | 50 questions, 35 min (42 sec each) |
| Math | 60 questions, 60 min (60 sec each) | 45 questions, 50 min (67 sec each) |
| Reading | 40 questions, 35 min (53 sec each) | 36 questions, 40 min (67 sec each) |
| Science | 40 questions, 35 min (53 sec each), required | 40 questions, 40 min (60 sec each), optional |
| Math answer choices | 5 | 4 |
| Composite | Average of all four sections | Average of English, Math and Reading |
| Total | 215 questions, 2 hours 55 minutes | 131 questions, 2 hours 5 minutes (171 and 2 hours 45 minutes with Science) |
| Writing | Optional | Optional |
Sources: ACT Research Report R2425, Table 1, enhanced ACT FAQs, the enhanced ACT.
When each change started
- April 2025: the enhanced ACT starts for national online testing.
- September 2025: the enhanced ACT on paper for national Saturday tests, and every new Composite and Superscore uses English, Math and Reading only.
- Spring 2026: the enhanced test reaches state and district testing, on paper and online.
What it means for your scores
Section scores are still 1–36, and ACT linked the new test to the old one so the two can be used interchangeably. ACT also says its College Readiness Benchmarks didn't change. Scores from before the switch aren't recalculated: an older Composite still averages four sections.
Superscoring mixes both: your best English, Math and Reading can come from any test since September 2016, old or enhanced. Science still gets its own score and, with Math, a STEM score; Writing adds an ELA score.
Estimate an enhanced ACT score, work out your superscore or compare it with the SAT.
Prep for the test you'll actually take
Ashore's ACT course is built for the enhanced ACT and coming soon. Join the waitlist and we'll email you once when it opens.
When ACT prep opens, it's part of the same plan as SAT and AP, at the same price. The score guarantee covers the SAT only.
Practice test 1
Example
27
Composite
(28 + 26 + 27) ÷ 3
- English28
- Math26
- Reading27
- ScienceOptional, not in the Composite25