The Digital ACT: What You Need to Know

Starting in April 2025, students in the United States who choose to take the ACT online will experience an updated format designed to be shorter, more flexible, and just as reliable for college admissions. These changes will also apply to the paper-and-pencil ACT starting in September 2025. The biggest shift? The Composite score will now focus on English, Math, and Reading, while Science will be optional and reported separately for those who take it.

New ACT Format & Timing

Test	Number of Questions	Minutes Per Test
English	50	35
Mathematics	45	50
Reading	36	40
Science (Optional)	40	40
Writing (Optional)	1	40

These updates allow colleges to continue making informed admission and scholarship decisions, ensuring your results remain relevant and valuable as you prepare for higher education.

What’s Changing?

✅ Fewer Questions – The updated ACT has 44 fewer questions overall, making the test more efficient.

✅ Shorter Test Length – Students can now complete the ACT in 125 minutes instead of 195 minutes.

✅ More Time Per Question – With fewer questions, students will have more time to think and respond.

✅ Math Answer Choices Reduced – Instead of five choices, Math questions now have four answer options.

✅ Optional Science Section – You can now choose whether to take the Science section for the ACT National test. State and district testing policies will determine if it remains required for some students.

What’s Staying the Same?

✔️ Same 1–36 ACT Scale – No changes to ACT benchmarks or state-specific achievement standards.

✔️ Past ACT Scores Are Unaffected – Tests taken before this update will remain valid.

✔️ College Readiness Predictions Remain Accurate – The ACT will continue to assess preparedness for first-year college courses.

✔️ Both Digital & Paper Options Available – Students can still choose between paper-and-pencil or online testing.

Why These Changes Matter

This streamlined format makes the ACT more manageable while still maintaining its accuracy and credibility for college admissions. The optional Science section provides greater flexibility for students, allowing them to customize their test experience without impacting their Composite score.

At MaranathaEd Prep, we ensure our students are fully prepared for these changes, offering expert guidance, digital practice tests, and time-management strategies tailored to the new ACT format.

Prepare for the Digital ACT with Us!

Whether you're taking the ACT for the first time or adapting to these updates, MaranathaEd Prep has the tools and expertise to help you succeed.

📌 Learn more and enroll in our ACT prep programs today at MaranathaEdPrep.com!