A ONE INSTITUTE
Dec 4, 2024
Let’s explore the New ACT!
Today, we’ll dive into the updated ACT, known as the New ACT.
Like the SAT, the ACT will undergo significant changes, including shorter test durations and fewer questions, as it transitions to the New ACT format.Since the information provided on the ACT's official website is quite limited, you may have many questions. Let’s explore the details together.
On July 15, it was announced that changes to the ACT test format would include:
Making the Science section optional
Reducing the total number of questions by 44
Increasing the time allocated per question
Further details were provided during a webinar held on July 22. Based on this webinar, I will share what we currently know. Please note that the information shared today is not 100% finalized but represents a high likelihood of how the New ACT will take shape.
Test Duration Overview
The ACT (excluding the optional Writing section) currently takes 3 hours, compared to the slightly over 2-hour duration of the Digital SAT.This discrepancy in test duration has led many students to prefer the SAT. In response, the ACT has been compelled to streamline its format, making it more concise and straightforward.
The current ACT, which we’ll refer to as the Old ACT, was administered exclusively on paper through 2023. Starting in 2024, it will be available in both paper and online formats. This transition is part of the move toward the New ACT format.
New ACT Changes
Without the optional Writing section, the format changes are as follows:
Old ACT:
English: 75 questions / 45 minutes
Math: 60 questions / 60 minutes
Reading: 40 questions / 35 minutes
Science: 40 questions / 35 minutes
New ACT:
English: 50 questions / 35 minutes
Math: 45 questions / 50 minutes
Reading: 36 questions / 40 minutes
Science: Optional (40 minutes)
Key Changes:
English and Math sections will have fewer questions and shorter durations.
Reading will see a slight reduction in the number of questions (40 to 36) but an increase in time (35 to 40 minutes).
Impact of the Reading Section Changes
The Old ACT Reading section required answering 40 questions in 35 minutes, emphasizing quick identification of evidence and direct answers. The New ACT Reading section reduces the number of questions and increases the time per question. This change suggests a shift toward more thought-provoking questions.
Core Sections and Time Comparison
Focusing on the core sections—English, Mathematics, and Reading—the New ACT eliminates 44 questions compared to the Old ACT.
The Old ACT (including Science) lasted 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The New ACT (excluding the optional Science section) will take 2 hours and 5 minutes, slightly shorter than the SAT.
The scoring scale remains the same (out of 36 points), and the test format is expected to follow a fixed Linear Test structure. Additionally, multiple-choice options in the Math section will decrease from five to four per question.
Comparison of Reading Passages
Reading passages in the New ACT are noticeably shorter than those in the Old ACT, as shown in the provided examples. While the Digital SAT presents one question per page, the ACT continues to group multiple questions on a single page.
Transition and Flexibility
It’s important to note that this is still an early stage of development, and further changes may occur. Just as initial announcements about the SAT evolved over time, the final version of the New ACT may differ from what’s currently outlined.
Adaptive Testing Possibilities
The shift toward fewer questions raises the potential for an adaptive testing model in the future. Adaptive testing selects questions based on a student’s performance, offering a more comprehensive assessment across various topics.
However, for adaptive testing to be effective, questions must be well-balanced across difficulty levels. Poorly designed questions could make this approach problematic.
Currently, the ACT is likely to remain a Linear Test through 2025-26, but a move toward adaptive testing seems possible beyond that point.
Test Schedules
For clarity, red represents the Old ACT, and blue represents the New ACT in the timeline:
Starting in 2025, the New ACT will roll out internationally (September, October, December), with all international tests conducted online.
In the U.S., both the Old ACT and New ACT will be available initially. National tests will transition to the New ACT online format starting in April 2025, while paper-based tests will switch to the New ACT in September 2025.
School Day Tests in the U.S. will remain the Old ACT until 2026.
This transitional period allows U.S. students to choose between the Old ACT and New ACT formats, offering flexibility but also potentially causing confusion.
Thoughts on the Science Section
Why hasn’t the ACT eliminated the Science section entirely? Here’s my perspective:
Some high schools use the ACT as a graduation requirement or college admission tool, which includes Science. Additionally, contracts for paper-based ACT exams—including the Science section—were likely finalized years ago. Removing Science would create logistical and financial complications for institutions that have already paid for the full test.
This financial aspect likely explains why the Science section remains optional rather than being removed entirely.
Advice for Students
If you are currently preparing for the ACT:
Aim to complete the Old ACT before July to maximize your score under the current format.
Alternatively, begin studying for the Old ACT and transition to the New ACT when it becomes available.
Much like the transition from Paper SAT to Digital SAT, the shift from Old ACT to New ACT is unlikely to result in significant score differences.
As the Science section becomes optional, it remains unclear whether colleges will require it. This uncertainty adds to the complexity of the ACT’s ongoing transformation.
Looking Ahead
With so many decisions pending before the full implementation of the New ACT in September 2025, managing this transitional period will be crucial. Given the current confusion, more students may opt for the SAT, as the ACT’s process appears less polished compared to the College Board’s SAT revisions.
At A-One Institute, we are committed to staying informed about these changes to help students achieve their best results.
If you have any questions about the evolving ACT, feel free to reach out to us via 1:1 chat or contact our institute directly.
Thank you!