{"id":18279,"date":"2025-08-22T15:07:21","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T19:07:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=18279"},"modified":"2025-08-29T09:29:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T13:29:28","slug":"2025-enhanced-act-test-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/2025-enhanced-act-test-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 ACT\u00ae Test Changes: Preparing Your Students for the Enhanced ACT\u00ae"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/our-products\/act-prep\/\">ACT\u00ae<\/a> is evolving in 2025\u2014and these updates are designed with students in mind. Shorter test times, fewer questions, and more time per item aim to reduce pressure and create a more focused testing experience. But what do these changes actually mean for your students, your classrooms, and how you prepare for college readiness exams?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s break it down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Where the ACT\u00ae Stands in 2025: Format, Flexibility, and Sections<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2025, the ACT\u00ae offers more flexibility than ever before. Students can now:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose between paper and online test formats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opt into or out of the Science and Writing sections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a shorter overall test with fewer questions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benefit from more time per question<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Quick Overview of the 2025 ACT\u00ae Format<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 800px; margin: 20px auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><!-- Header Row --><\/p>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">Section<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">Time (Minutes)<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">Number of Questions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- English Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">English<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">~40<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">~75 (unchanged)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Math Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Math<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Shortened<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Now 4 choices per question<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Reading Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Reading<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Shortened<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Shorter passages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Science Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Science<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Optional<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Still available for STEM-focused students<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Writing Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Writing<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Optional<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">40 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s Changing in 2025?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACT\u00ae\u2019s enhancements are all about personalization and performance. Here\u2019s a breakdown of what\u2019s new:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shorter Test Overall<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACT\u00ae is now 75 minutes shorter and includes 44 fewer questions, making it more manageable and less draining for students.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>More Time Per Question<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With fewer questions overall, students have more time to think critically and answer each question with greater care and clarity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Math Answer Choices Reduced from 5 to 4<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This change reduces decision fatigue and brings consistency to the test format, as other sections already used four options.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shorter Reading Passages<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passages are now shorter while retaining the same complexity and rigor\u2014helping students maintain focus and reduce fatigue.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Science and Writing Now Optional<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students can choose whether to include these sections based on their college goals, major interests, or strengths. STEM-bound students may still benefit from the Science section.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Paper or Online Format<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students can take the ACT\u00ae on paper or digitally\u2014allowing them to choose the format that fits their testing preferences and comfort level.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes allow students to tailor the ACT\u00ae to their strengths and future plans while reducing unnecessary stress during test day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s Staying the Same?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the ACT\u00ae is evolving, several key features remain unchanged:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Core Skills and Content Areas<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same core subjects\u2014English, Math, Reading, and optional Science and Writing\u2014remain part of the test.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ACT\u00ae Score Scale (1\u201336)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scoring system remains unchanged, ensuring continuity in how colleges interpret results.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Superscoring Support<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACT\u00ae still allows students to combine their best section scores across multiple test attempts for a stronger composite score.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Benchmark Alignment for College Readiness<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACT\u00ae continues to measure the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Paper and Digital Options<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students can still choose their preferred test format.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By preserving these foundational elements, the ACT\u00ae ensures that test scores remain consistent and meaningful for colleges and educators.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>ACT\u00ae vs. SAT\u00ae in 2025: How They Compare<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both the ACT\u00ae and <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/our-products\/sat-prep\/\">SAT\u00ae<\/a> have undergone changes in recent years, but they\u2019ve taken different paths. Here\u2019s how the ACT\u00ae stacks up against the SAT\u00ae in 2025:<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 800px; margin: 20px auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><!-- Header Row --><\/p>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">Feature<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">ACT\u00ae (2025)<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #028cb7; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #333; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;\">SAT\u00ae (2025)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Format Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Format<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Paper or online<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Fully digital and adaptive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Optional Sections Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Optional Sections<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Science and Writing<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Test Length Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Test Length<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Shortened by 75 minutes<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Approx. 2 hours total<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Scoring Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Scoring<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Composite 1\u201336<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Composite 400\u20131600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Superscoring Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Superscoring<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Supported<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Supported<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Science Section Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Science Section<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Optional, dedicated section<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Integrated throughout test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Writing Section Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Writing Section<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Optional<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Removed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p><!-- Customization Row --><\/p>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333; font-weight: bold;\">Customization<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">High\u2014students choose format + sections<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: white; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #333;\">Moderate\u2014no optional sections<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For students who want flexibility, a science showcase, or a familiar testing environment, the ACT\u00ae may be the stronger fit in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Do These Changes Affect Instruction and Test Prep?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For educators, the streamlined ACT\u00ae offers both clarity and opportunity:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>More Focused Test Prep<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With optional sections, schools can align instruction based on student goals and college admissions requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduced Emphasis on Speed Drills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More time per question allows educators to shift toward deeper comprehension, analysis, and skill mastery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Opportunity for Strategy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers can coach students on whether to take optional sections based on career interests, strengths, or application requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes make it easier for educators to individualize prep, target specific skill gaps, and reduce stress for students navigating high-stakes testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Progress Learning Supports Your ACT\u00ae Prep in 2025<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best news? You don\u2019t need to start from scratch. Progress Learning\u2019s ACT\u00ae and PreACT\u00ae tools are already aligned to the new format.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Updated Practice Tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reflect new timing, question types, and section structure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Individualized Study Plans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Support personalized student learning paths<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Built-in Remediation Tools<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Quickly target learning gaps with adaptive support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Data-Driven Reporting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Monitor progress and adjust instruction with ease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether your students are taking the full ACT\u00ae or opting out of certain sections, Progress Learning gives educators everything they need to prepare effectively\u2014with no extra prep or rework.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Watch Our Recent Webinar: <\/b><b><i>The ACT\u00ae Is Changing\u2014Here\u2019s What to Know<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want more information on the 2025 ACT\u00ae changes and how to adjust your instruction? Watch the recording of our recent webinar, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACT\u00ae Is Changing: Here&#8217;s What to Know.<\/span><\/i> In this 30-minute session, test prep expert Matt Klinestiver walks you through:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A breakdown of the ACT\u00ae\u2019s structural, content, and scoring changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How these changes affect college readiness instruction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What educators can do now to prepare students for success<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tips for using data to drive targeted instruction and build student confidence<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<style>\n    #unique-box-1 {\n        border: 3px solid #6E1A61; \/* Border color (purple) *\/\n        border-radius: 15px;       \/* Rounded corners *\/\n        padding: 20px;             \/* Space inside the box *\/\n        background-color: #f9f9f9; \/* Background color *\/\n        display: block;            \/* Changed from inline-block to block *\/\n        width: 100%;               \/* Use full available width *\/\n        max-width: 100%;           \/* Prevent overflow *\/\n        box-sizing: border-box;    \/* Include border in the box dimensions *\/\n        text-align: left;          \/* Align text inside the box to the left *\/\n    }<\/p>\n<p>    .uk-margin-top {\n        margin-top: 1rem; \/* Adding some top margin *\/\n    }<\/p>\n<p>    .item-content {\n        \/* Add any additional styling for item-content if needed *\/\n    }\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"uk-margin-top item-content\">\n<div id=\"unique-box-1\">\n        <script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/intg0vleut.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><\/p>\n<style>wistia-player[media-id='intg0vleut']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/intg0vleut\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style>\n<p> <wistia-player media-id=\"intg0vleut\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><\/wistia-player>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/br><br \/>\nMissed the live webinar? Sign up below to be notified about upcoming webinars, blogs, and more.<\/p>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n\thbspt.forms.create({\r\n\t\tregion: \"na1\",\r\n\t\tportalId: \"23272034\",\r\n\t\tformId: \"c970216b-3a79-4ad1-a9d7-920aea441c78\"\r\n\t});\r\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ACT\u00ae is evolving in 2025\u2014and these updates are designed with students in mind. Shorter test times, fewer questions, and more time per item aim to reduce pressure and create a more focused testing experience. But what do these changes actually mean for your students, your classrooms, and how you prepare for college readiness exams? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":18282,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"\ud83d\udea8 The ACT\u00ae is changing in 2025\u2014shorter test, more flexibility, and new strategies! Get the full breakdown + register for our free webinar on Aug 28! \ud83c\udf93\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f #ACT #TestPrep #ProgressLearning","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[308,305],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-act","category-wisconsin"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-2025-ACT\u00ae-Test-Changes.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18279"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18372,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18279\/revisions\/18372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}