Whether you’re taking the ACT online this spring or on paper this fall, recent changes will likely impact your testing experience. The test’s length is one key change, but it’s also changing in other important ways. Here’s what to know if you plan on taking the ACT test soon.
What’s Changing with the ACT Test?
As mentioned, you can expect changes to ACT test length, both in terms of number of questions and timing. Starting in April 2025, the test now has 44 fewer questions and you can get your Composite test score after 125 minutes instead of 195 minutes. Not only can you expect a shorter test, but you can also benefit from more time to complete individual questions. Here’s what you can expect in terms of timing and number of questions for each section:
| Subject | Number of questions | Number of minutes |
| English | 50 | 35 |
| Math | 45 | 50 |
| Reading | 36 | 40 |
| Science | 40 | 40 |
| Writing | 1 | 40 |
Besides these changes, the math questions on the ACT will have four answer choices, down from five. Test takers can also choose whether or not to take the science portion of the ACT National test. States and districts can also decide if they want students to take the science portion of the test. Composite scores will now include the reading, English, and math portions of the test, while the science portion will be scored independently.
The new changes both shorten and simplify the ACT, which could save you time and remove some of the stress from the test-taking experience. The new changes will go into effect for students taking the Act National online test in April 2025 and the Act National paper test in September 2025. They’ll be reflected on the state and district spring test in the spring of 2026.
What Isn’t Changing with the ACT Test?
While you can expect several changes to the ACT, a few things remain the same. Fees, for example, have not changed–you’ll still pay $65 to take the ACT test and $25 for the writing add-on. The science add-on is $4.00. You also won’t see a difference to the 1-36 ACT scale the test has used in prior years.
Students can still use their tests to help predict their academic success as a first-year student, and paper and online tests will remain available for the foreseeable future.
The Bottom Line
The new ACT Test enhancements are made to simplify and shorten the test, potentially reducing your stress when you take it. You can expect to see changes on the April National test if you’re completing it online or in September 2025 if you’re doing the paper version.
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