Game-Changer: Science Section in ACT Exam Goes Optional

The organization announced earlier this week that the ACT exam will no longer require the science section, and the overall duration of the test will be shortened. 

Since 2005, students have had the option to choose among different configurations of the ACT exam. They can opt for the ACT core exam, encompassing reading, math, and English, or choose the ACT plus writing, the ACT plus science, or the ACT plus science and writing. 

“With this flexibility, students can focus on their strengths and showcase their abilities in the best possible way,” the organization said. 

The composite score, which is the average of scores from the core subjects, will determine a student's overall performance on the ACT. Each subject is graded on a scale from 1 to 36.  

Students have the option to take the test either online or using traditional paper and pencil formats. 

Furthermore, the duration of the ACT core exam will be shortened from three hours to two hours. This adjustment involves reducing the length of reading passages and eliminating a total of 44 questions. 

“This change is designed to make the testing experience more manageable for students, enabling them to perform at their best without the fatigue that often accompanies longer exams,” ACT said. 

These modifications will commence with online testing in spring 2025 and "school-day" testing in spring 2026.