By now, you’ve probably heard: the ACT has rolled out a new version of its test called the Enhanced ACT, where students can take a shorter, slower-paced test without the dreaded Science section.
But is that all that’s changed? And are those changes as good for testers as they sound?
Unsurprisingly, the focus on these widely publicized changes has led to some misconceptions about how this plays out in practice. Let’s dive in.
Misconception #1: The Test Has "Gone Digital"
When ACT announced that it was redesigning its test, many assumed it was following in the SAT’s footsteps and transitioning to a digital-only test. It isn’t. ACT offers both a digital (“online”) and paper version of its test. This has been the case since early 2024, and it will continue to be the case even after the transition to the new Enhanced ACT.
So why the confusion? Because ACT decided to stagger the release of the new test, releasing it initially in the less common online format. Which means that, so far, only students testing digitally have had the option to take the new Enhanced version.
But after September 2025, testers will be able to take the Enhanced ACT in either format—and the paper format is likely to be the more common one. The reason being that ACT requires test centers to supply the devices for online testing themselves, something many centers cannot (or will not) do. For now, that means most students will take the Enhanced ACT on paper, so plan your prep accordingly!
Misconception #2: The Test Is Easier
ACT has made a point to emphasize the changes that make the new Enhanced ACT more attractive than its predecessor:- Science is now optional. You are no longer required to take it, and it no longer influences your composite score.
- The test takes less time to complete. It’s nearly an hour shorter if you skip Science.
- There are fewer questions. There are 44 fewer questions overall, down nearly 20%.
- You have more time to answer each question. True across the board, including in the notoriously fast-paced Reading section, where time per question has increased 28%.
- Mistakes are more costly. With fewer questions, each wrong answer represents a larger percentage of your score. Accuracy will matter much more than in the past.
- Fewer “easy” questions remain. The ACT trimmed disproportionately from the easier question categories on the test, cutting more from areas where students typically performed better or improved more easily.
Although the questions that remain look much like they did on the Classic ACT, the shift in question weight and content emphasis will make the experience more challenging for many testers.
Misconception #3: Now That Science Is Optional, Students Don’t Need to Take It
This is ACT’s position. But these decisions are ultimately made on a college-by-college basis. And while most universities may accept ACT scores without Science (which is, really, what we expect), there may still be a few who don’t.
We already have one example: Boston University. According to an email that the university sent out in April, "BU has decided that any student who wishes to submit an ACT score with their application for admission will be required to take all subsections of the ACT, including the Science section. This change will go into effect immediately and be required for all students applying for admission to BU for fall 2026."
To be clear, Boston University is an outlier. But this highlights the complexity of a student's decision to take this section of the test.
Our suggestion? Have your student take a practice test with Science. If they perform as well or better on that section than others, consider taking it. But if that performance isn’t as strong, skip it. If your student elects not to take it, it is unlikely to significantly disadvantage them at most schools.
READ MORE: 4 Insider Secrets to Help You Prep for the New SAT
Final Takeaways: How to Plan Around the New ACT
Clearing up misconceptions is great. But what does this all mean for your student's test prep strategy? Here’s what to remember:
- Don’t fixate on the digital test. Paper testing isn’t going anywhere—and it will likely be more available than the digital option. As for prep, the quality of prep materials will matter more than the format.
- Don’t assume the test is easier. The changes are mixed and will impact different testers differently. The most important thing is to prepare for them with materials that reflect the new changes.
- Don’t reflexively skip Science. It’s optional, but it could still be an advantage. Let performance and individual college policies guide the decision.
