The Enhanced ACT Explained: What Changed and What It Means for You
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The enhanced ACT is shorter, with fewer questions and more time per question. Science is now optional, the composite score is the average of English, Math and Reading only, and Math questions have four answer choices instead of five. The score scale is still 1 to 36, and scores from before the change remain valid.
Old ACT vs enhanced ACT
| Old ACT | Enhanced ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 75 questions in 45 minutes | 50 questions in 35 minutes |
| Math | 60 questions in 60 minutes, 5 answer choices | 45 questions in 50 minutes, 4 answer choices |
| Reading | 40 questions in 35 minutes | 36 questions in 40 minutes |
| Science | Required: 40 questions in 35 minutes | Optional: 40 questions in 40 minutes |
| Composite score | Average of English, Math, Reading and Science | Average of English, Math and Reading |
| Core test time | About 2 hours 55 minutes | About 2 hours 5 minutes |
What the changes mean for students
- More time per question: every core section now gives more time per question than before, which helps students who felt rushed on the old ACT.
- Science is your choice: skip it unless a college on your list requires or recommends it, or you are applying to STEM programs.
- A STEM score: students who take Science also receive a STEM score, combining Math and Science.
- Easier guessing odds in Math: with four answer choices instead of five, an educated guess is more likely to be right.
- Shorter passages: English and Reading passages are shorter, so reading stamina matters a little less.
Is the enhanced ACT easier?
The content is similar, but the test is less rushed and shorter, which many students find more comfortable. Because scores are scaled, a given composite reflects the same level of performance as before, so colleges compare old and new scores directly.