What the New Digital ACT Means for Your Teen: Key Updates Every Parent Should Know

The ACT is making big changes with the launch of its shorter, digital format in 2025, giving students more time per question and the option to take a Science section that won’t count toward their composite score. This shift aligns with the broader trend toward digital testing, following in the footsteps of the SAT. Starting in April 2025, students can opt for the digital format, with a full rollout expected by September. However, limited availability at test centers means paper testing may remain the most accessible option until then.


Key Changes: Shorter Test, More Time Per Question

One of the most anticipated changes is the move to a shorter digital ACT, with fewer questions and more time allotted for each. In addition, students will have the option to take a Science section, although it will no longer be included in the official composite score. These shifts mark a significant departure from the current format and are designed to modernize the exam, streamline testing, and improve accessibility.



Rollout Timeline

ACT CEO Janet Godwin announced that the rollout of the digital format will begin with national online testing in the spring of 2025, with the first administration planned for April. According to the ACT website, students who choose to test online will take the shorter test starting at that time. By September 2025, all students testing on a Saturday—whether online or on paper, domestically or internationally—will take the shorter version of the test, with Science as an optional section. Beginning in the spring of 2026, schools, districts, and states offering ACT School Day testing will also switch to the shortened format.


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Short-Term Challenges: Limited Availability

Initially, only students who choose to test online will have access to the new, shorter ACT with optional Science. However, this option is not yet available at all test centers, and students in many areas may find it difficult to secure a spot for digital testing. Currently, ACT.org shows a limited number of locations offering the digital format. As demand grows for the shorter test, availability could become even more constrained.


For students who want to ensure they take the shorter, digital version, it may be wise to assume that paper testing will remain the most readily available option until the official transition to the new format in September 2025. If you're planning to take the test before then, it’s likely you’ll need to stick with the current paper version.


The End of Paper Testing?

While ACT, Inc. has not yet committed to eliminating paper testing entirely, the transition is inevitable. Initially, the company intended to always offer a paper-based option, but recent statements suggest that paper tests will phase out once demand diminishes. Godwin indicated that the company will move to a fully digital format as soon as paper-based testing is no longer in demand. This shift aligns with a broader trend in standardized testing, following in the footsteps of the SAT, which is also moving toward an all-digital future.



No Adaptive Testing—For Now

Despite earlier promises by ACT’s former CEO Marten Roorda to move toward adaptive testing, the newly updated ACT will not feature an adaptive format. This means that every student will still see the same questions, regardless of their performance throughout the test. Godwin’s announcement of "other enhancements to modernize the test" has fueled speculation about future changes, but for now, the ACT will remain non-adaptive.


The Need for Device Access

As the ACT transitions to a digital format, one of the key hurdles is ensuring that students can access the test on their own devices, such as laptops and tablets. International markets, where paper-based testing was eliminated in 2019, have struggled with limited access to digital testing facilities, leaving many students without a nearby center. This has led some students to shift to the SAT, which allows students to test on their own devices.


For domestic students, the ACT, Inc. must learn from these challenges and ensure that digital testing is widely accessible. Without addressing the shortage of test centers and alleviating the logistical burdens on schools, the company risks alienating students who may prefer to switch to the SAT for a more convenient testing experience.


What Won’t Change: Content Continuity

Despite the upcoming changes in format and timing, the content of the ACT will remain largely the same. According to the ACT website, “there has been no significant change in the types of knowledge and skills measured by the ACT test with the enhancements.” This is good news for students, as current prep materials and practice tests will still be relevant for the shorter test.


There will be some minor tweaks, such as a reduction from five answer choices to four on the Math section, which could save students time. The optional Science section will also no longer contribute to the composite score, though it remains available for students who wish to take it. Additionally, the ACT without Science will be offered at a lower cost, although updated pricing has not yet been announced.


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