The ACT Changed. Your Prep Book Didn't.
If your student's ACT prep book still talks about 75 English questions or a required Science section, put it down. It is out of date, and practicing from it will train your student for a test that no longer exists.
What the Current Test Actually Looks Like
The enhanced ACT rolled out nationally in 2025 and 2026, and it is shorter than the version most prep books still describe. Here is the breakdown:
Your composite score is the average of English, Math, and Reading only. Science does not pull it up or down anymore.
Three Things to Check Before You Register
First, some colleges superscore across test dates, which changes your retake strategy. Second, a handful of STEM programs still want to see a Science or STEM score, so do not skip it blindly. Third, confirm current test dates, fees, and calculator rules at act.org, because policies can change.
The Good News
The new test is beatable. Fewer questions, more time per question, and no penalty for wrong answers, ever. Strategy and pacing matter as much as knowledge, and both are learnable.
Want to See Where Your Student Stands?
My full-length ACT mock exam with a detailed score report is $5 for new Outschool families. One timed test, real answers about what to fix. Book the mock exam here.
Daa'iyah Na'im, Ed.S., is a certified teacher and doctoral candidate researching ACT scores. She founded Nova Scholars, a Mississippi nonprofit, and teaches live ACT prep on Outschool.
