Nationwide ACT exam puts new adjustments into place, bringing about an easier, more bearable testing experience

Zahraa Aljabiry, Editor, Website Editor • September 29, 2025

Photo by Photo illustration by Zahraa Aljabiry

Starting April 2025, the nationwide ACT exam is adjusting its requirements by increasing time and decreasing questions, as well as modifying a section to become optional. This change will apply to juniors and seniors who have or haven’t taken the exam.

In April 2025, the nationwide ACT exam adjusted its requirements for all students in an effort to improve comprehension of material and raise average scores. ACT CEO Janet Godwin first announced the changes in July 2024, with plans to put them into place the following year.

The updated exam features fewer questions, more time per section, and a now optional science portion. The required subjects, English, mathematics, and reading, offer new time-to-question ratios of 35:50, 50:45, and 40:36. The optional science section is 40 minutes for 40 questions. The previous version of the test required all four subjects, with ratios of 45:75 (English), 60:60 (mathematics), 35:40 (reading), and 35:40 (science).

The adjustments were enacted in hopes of fostering a less stressful testing environment and making the exam more bearable overall.

Current juniors and seniors are the first groups to take the updated ACT. For most juniors, this version will be their only experience with the exam, while seniors who tested last year will have experienced both formats if they choose to retake it.

“I preferred the new one because it’s shorter. It’s hard to say [I feel more confident in the newer version] because you can’t make as many mistakes,” senior Madelaine Johnson said. “I thought it was interesting we would have to take a new one, especially because some colleges haven’t changed their [policy on the] science portion.”

Although the science section is now optional, teachers still plan to prepare students for it.

“Most students already take the science portion on weekend tests,” administrator and former science teacher Kyle Thompson said. “My advice is to check the testing requirements for the colleges you want to attend.”

The new ACT adjustments are changing how students take the test. Students have expressed satisfaction and relief towards the new exam, and while it is still unclear how much scores will change, many agree this is a step toward making the exam more fair for students in allowing them a better shot at securing a place in an adequate college.

About the Contributor

Zahraa Aljabiry, Editor, Website Editor

Zahraa Aljabiry is currently a junior at Lincoln East High School, with two years of Oracle experience under her belt. Along with The Oracle, Zahraa is also involved in Key Club, HOSA as the VP of recruitment, and president of ACS (American Cancer Society). Involving herself in all of these different clubs and groups has given her a good first hand experience of East’s culture and describes it as “very hard working, very locked in.” From her years at East, she hopes to leave with “memories to look onto and something that will pave my way to the future.” Speaking of the future, she hopes to pursue her love of helping others and become a surgeon making bank and saving lives. Outside of school, she loves to spend her time with family, writing, and playing sports with friends. We are excited to have Zahraa on staff for the 2025-26 school year!