What changed on the Enhanced ACT (2025 and later)

1.What stayed the point of the test

English, Math, and Reading still make the Composite, the number most admissions offices ask for. The skills tested did not change. What changed is how many questions, how long, and what is optional.

2.Shorter sections, new clocks

English: 50 questions in 35 minutes. Math: 45 questions in 50 minutes. Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes. Science: 40 questions in 40 minutes, and only if you sign up for it.

Fewer questions in every section, and a little more time per question than the old test gave. The clock still runs out on people who do not practice on it.

3.Math has four choices, not five

Every Math question now has four answer choices. Backsolving from the choices got faster, and a blind pick got better. There is still no penalty for a wrong answer, so nothing should be left blank.

4.Science is optional and outside the Composite

Science is now a separate decision. If a college on your list wants it, sit it. If none do, skipping it is allowed and does not touch the Composite.

5.A short break after Math

Eat something. Do not check your phone. Do not talk about the test.

6.What this means for an Iowa junior

Practice should match the new lengths. A sibling's old binder has 60-question Math sets with five choices. That is the wrong clock and the wrong shape.

Sit sections at the new counts, on the new clocks, and treat Science as its own choice, not a default.