03/14/2026
GOOD NEWS
As of early 2026, the "Enhanced ACT" is now the standard, offering a 30% shorter, ~2-hour, 5-minute test (125 minutes without breaks). It features 44 fewer questions (171 total), making science an optional section and introducing four-answer-choice math questions to reduce fatigue and allow more time per question.
Reduced Length: The core test (English, Math, Reading) is roughly 2 hours, down from nearly 3 hours.
Optional Science: The science section is now optional. If included, the test is ~2 hours 40 minutes.
Fewer Questions: Total questions dropped from 215 to 171.
Structure: Math now features 45 questions (down from 60) with 4 answer choices instead of 5.
Scoring: The composite score is now the average of the English, Reading, and Math sections only.
Format: Digital and paper options are available, with shorter reading passages.
These changes, which began national rollout in September 2025, are designed to reduce test-taker fatigue and align with the shorter Digital SAT format. The test remains equally rigorous but offers more flexibility.
