Here at Ivy Tutor, we are closely monitoring the ACT’s planned revisions. I am pleased to report that, thanks to my position on the National Test Prep Association’s blog committee, my colleagues and I are in direct contact with representatives from the ACT Education Corp. Thanks to our connections, we have begun to receive enough clarity that I feel comfortable sharing some updates and preliminary advice. As more information and practice material becomes available, we will be able to offer student-specific guidance.
To begin, the test in its current form will be available until at least July 2025. This means that juniors studying for the ACT can stay the course. They will have ample opportunities to take the test in its present format over the next 12 months.
Here are the changes:
- The Science section will be offered as an optional section.
- The test duration will be approximately two hours, shortened from three hours.
- Students will receive more time per question, but the average question difficulty will necessarily increase.
Timeline for the Transition:
- Current ACT available until: July 2025
- New computer-based ACT launch: April 2025
- Updated paper-based ACT launch: September 2025
We view this as an opportunity for students to have a second bite at the apple. Rising juniors can take the current ACT until July 2025 and then apply their skills to the new ACT thereafter. While the prospect of extra time per question is enticing, it will be balanced with increased question difficulty. In this respect, the ACT may begin to more closely resemble the SAT, though we do not anticipate it will be quite as slow or as difficult. From a tutoring perspective, this is challenging as it is typically more effective to teach students how to answer simpler questions more efficiently than to tackle harder questions. Therefore, I advise that rising juniors plan to complete the current ACT by June 2025. Students can then attempt the revised test in September. As more information becomes available, I will share it along with its implications.
In summary, while the changes are intriguing, it’s unlikely that they will make the test easier for those investing in preparation. Therefore, I recommend we stay the course and consider the benefits of attempting the second version of the test in September 2025.
