Starting in April 2025, students who choose to test online will have more flexibility and choice, experience a shorter test, and get more time to respond to each question.
Beginning with the September 2025 test, all students testing on a Saturday, either online or on paper, will experience these benefits.
Schools and districts will have these options starting in spring 2026.
ACT National Online Only
State & District Spring 2026 Testing
Do you want to be notified as more details become available and registration opens for the April through July 2025 test dates? Fill out the form and we’ll email you to keep you informed.
Students can test the way they feel most comfortable and show off their best performance.
Note: If choosing to test online, these enhancements will be made available beginning with the April 2025 ACT test. These enhancements to the test will take effect, regardless of testing mode, beginning with the September 2025 ACT test.
ACT is committed to continuous improvement, alignment to assessment industry best practices, and innovation to make the ACT test primed for student success and college admission.
Learn more about the ACT test enhancements in this blog post from ACT CEO Janet Godwin. She writes about how ACT is evolving to meet the needs of our students by providing students with choice, flexibility, and accessibility. Get the scoop on what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what that means for you.
The changes are expected to take effect starting with the April 2025 test for examinees who choose to test online. The paper test will reflect the enhancements starting in September 2025. Schools and districts will have these options starting in spring 2026.
. receiving these same benefits?
Yes. The enhancements will become available based on the timeline above regardless of accommodation status.
. July 2025 test dates?
As ACT is in the process of implementing the test enhancements, students are not yet able to register for the April, June, or July 2025 National test dates.
As ACT is implementing the test enhancements, students are not yet able to register for the April, June, or July 2025 National test dates. Registration is expected to open for these dates in early December. Be sure to sign up to be notified when registration opens details to secure your spot!
ACT is committed to providing a high-quality science section for anyone who chooses to take it.
Students planning to major in science or a STEM field or take science courses in college should consider taking the science section since those who have math and science scores will still receive a STEM score.
That depends. On the ACT, students have the flexibility to choose whether to take science or writing, and whether to take the test using pencil and paper or online. These choices affect your test day experience. Let’s break it down!
There will be a short break between each of these sections. Once these three sections are completed, there will be a dismissal, and anyone who has not chosen to add either science or writing will have their materials collected and will be dismissed.
If a student decides to take the ACT test with science or writing (or both) added, they will remain in the room quietly while others are dismissed. There will be a short break to allow them to get up and stretch their legs, after which they will return to their seat. If a student is taking science, they will need their test booklet and answer sheet. If a student is taking writing, the test administrator will collect their booklet and provide them with writing materials. Both science and writing will be 40 minutes and will be given in the same room. The tests will consist of:
Following the 40-minute session, there will be a short break with materials collection. Anyone who is only taking science in addition to English, math, and reading, and anyone who completed writing, should now be done, and will be dismissed following document collection. Anyone who is taking writing in the second additional 40-minute section will have a short break before beginning the writing portion.
