ACT Prep Guide
Everything you need to prepare for the Enhanced ACT — format changes explained, free resources, test dates, section strategies, and an ACT vs SAT comparison.
Enhanced ACT Format
What Changed on the Enhanced ACT?
The Enhanced ACT launched in April 2025 with fewer questions, more time per question, optional Science, and a streamlined format. Here's a side-by-side breakdown.
Feature
Old ACT
Enhanced ACT (2025+)
Total questions
215
131 (core)
Test length
~3 hours
~2 hours 5 min (core)
Science
Required
Optional
Composite
Avg of 4 sections
Avg of 3 sections (E, M, R)
English
75 Qs, 45 min
50 Qs, 35 min
Math
60 Qs, 60 min, 5 choices
45 Qs, 50 min, 4 choices
Reading
40 Qs, 35 min
36 Qs, 40 min
Science
40 Qs, 35 min
40 Qs, 40 min (optional)
Digital option
No
Yes (BYOD or paper)
Time per question
~49 sec avg
~57 sec avg (+22%)
Bottom line: the Enhanced ACT is shorter, less rushed, and gives you more strategic control — especially with Science now optional.
Science Decision Guide
Should You Take the ACT Science Section?
Science is now optional on the Enhanced ACT, but some colleges still expect it. Whether you should take it depends on your target schools, your strengths, and your test-day strategy. Use this guide to decide.
Take Science If...
- Your target colleges require or recommend Science scores — check isscienceoptional.com
- You’re strong in data interpretation and scientific reasoning
- You want a STEM score (Math + Science average) reported to colleges
- You’re applying to STEM programs where Science scores carry extra weight
Skip Science If...
- Your target colleges don’t require Science (most don’t — verify at isscienceoptional.com)
- You want a shorter test day focused on your strongest sections
- Your Science score would lower your composite — some students do better with 3-section composite
- You perform better with less test fatigue and more energy for English, Math, and Reading
Free Resources
Free ACT Practice Resources
We've curated the best free ACT prep materials — official practice tests, ACT Academy, Enhanced ACT score calculators, formula sheets, and grammar guides.
2025–2026 Dates
ACT Test Dates & Deadlines 2025–2026
Seven test dates available this year. Register early — popular test centers fill up fast.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6, 2025 | Aug. 1, 2025 | Aug. 18, 2025 |
| Oct. 18, 2025 | Sept. 12, 2025 | Sept. 29, 2025 |
| Dec. 13, 2025 | Nov. 7, 2025 | Nov. 24, 2025 |
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Jan. 9, 2026 | Jan. 27, 2026 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | March 24, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 29, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
Test Date
Sept. 6, 2025
Registration Deadline
Aug. 1, 2025
Late Deadline
Aug. 18, 2025
Test Date
Oct. 18, 2025
Registration Deadline
Sept. 12, 2025
Late Deadline
Sept. 29, 2025
Test Date
Dec. 13, 2025
Registration Deadline
Nov. 7, 2025
Late Deadline
Nov. 24, 2025
Test Date
Feb. 14, 2026
Registration Deadline
Jan. 9, 2026
Late Deadline
Jan. 27, 2026
Test Date
April 11, 2026
Registration Deadline
March 6, 2026
Late Deadline
March 24, 2026
Test Date
June 13, 2026
Registration Deadline
May 8, 2026
Late Deadline
May 29, 2026
Test Date
July 11, 2026
Registration Deadline
June 5, 2026
Late Deadline
June 24, 2026
Fee: $68 (core) or $93 (with Science). Late registration adds $36. Scores release approximately 2–8 weeks after test day.
Section Strategies
ACT Prep Strategies by Section
The specific strategies that make the biggest difference on the Enhanced ACT — section by section.
English Strategies
- The Enhanced ACT English section has 50 questions in 35 minutes — that’s 42 seconds per question. Speed comes from pattern recognition: learn the top 15 grammar rules (commas, apostrophes, subject-verb agreement, pronoun case) and you’ll answer most questions on autopilot.
- Read the full paragraph before answering rhetorical skills questions. Many questions about sentence placement, transitions, and relevance require understanding the passage’s overall argument, not just the underlined portion.
- When in doubt, choose the most concise answer. The ACT rewards clear, direct writing. If two answers are grammatically correct, the shorter one is almost always right — avoid redundancy and wordiness.
- Practice identifying the difference between grammar questions (rules-based, one correct answer) and rhetoric questions (judgment-based, best answer). Knowing which type you’re facing changes your approach entirely.
- Don’t skip the ‘NO CHANGE’ option — it’s correct roughly 25% of the time. Read the original carefully before assuming it needs to change.
Math Strategies
- The Enhanced ACT Math section now has 45 questions in 50 minutes with 4 answer choices (down from 5). That’s about 67 seconds per question and better odds on guessing — never leave a question blank.
- Know your calculator inside and out. Calculators are allowed on all ACT Math questions, so practice using yours for graphing, solving systems of equations, and checking arithmetic. A graphing calculator can solve some problems in seconds.
- The difficulty generally increases from question 1 to 45. Budget your time: spend 30–40 seconds on early questions and save more time for the harder back half. If a question stumps you, mark it and move on — every question is worth the same.
- Focus your study on the highest-yield topics: linear equations, ratios/proportions, basic trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA), and coordinate geometry. These categories account for the majority of questions.
- Backsolving and plugging in answer choices is more effective than ever with only 4 options. When an algebraic approach feels slow, start with answer choice B or C and test — you’ll often find the answer in two tries.
Reading Strategies
- The Enhanced ACT Reading section has 36 questions in 40 minutes — about 67 seconds per question. With fewer questions and more time, you can afford to read passages more carefully than on the old ACT.
- Read actively: underline or annotate main ideas, topic sentences, and author’s tone shifts as you read. This saves time when you need to locate evidence for specific questions.
- Passage types remain consistent: Literary Narrative, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. Develop a passage order strategy — start with your strongest passage type to build confidence and bank time.
- For detail questions, always go back to the passage. Your memory of the passage is less reliable than the actual text. The correct answer is directly supported by specific words or phrases in the passage.
- Eliminate extreme answers. The ACT Reading section rarely has answers with absolute language (‘always,’ ‘never,’ ‘completely’). If an answer sounds too strong or goes beyond what the passage says, it’s usually wrong.
Science Strategies (If Taking)
- The optional Science section has 40 questions in 40 minutes — 60 seconds per question. Despite the name, it’s really a data interpretation and scientific reasoning test. You don’t need to memorize the periodic table or biology facts.
- Spend 80% of your time on the figures, tables, and graphs — not the text. Most questions can be answered directly from the data. Only read the experimental descriptions when a question specifically asks about methodology or variables.
- For Research Summary passages, identify the independent variable (what the scientist changed), the dependent variable (what was measured), and the control. This framework answers most experimental design questions instantly.
- Conflicting Viewpoints passages are the exception — read these carefully before looking at the questions. Understand each scientist’s position, where they agree, and where they disagree. These passages reward careful reading over speed.
- If you’re strong in Science, taking this section can boost your overall profile, especially for STEM programs. If Science is a weakness, your composite may actually be higher without it under the new 3-section scoring.
ACT vs SAT
ACT vs SAT: Which Test Is Right for You?
All US colleges accept both tests equally. The right choice depends on your strengths, pacing preferences, and test-taking style.
Feature
ACT
SAT
Test length
~2h 5min (core)
2h 14min
Format
Linear (same for everyone)
Adaptive (adjusts difficulty)
Sections
English, Math, Reading (+optional Science)
Reading & Writing, Math
Math
Algebra through trigonometry, 4 choices
Algebra & advanced math, 4 choices
Calculator
Allowed on all Math
Built-in Desmos + own calculator
Reading
4 long passages
Many short passages (25–150 words)
Science
Optional dedicated section
No science section
Scoring
1–36 composite
400–1600 total
Digital option
Paper or digital
Digital only (Bluebook)
Accepted by
All US colleges
All US colleges
Not sure? Take a practice test for each and compare your scores — most students have a clear preference for one format.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACT Prep
Honest answers to the questions students and parents ask most about ACT preparation and the Enhanced ACT format.
Need Personalized Help?
If you'd like 1-on-1 support, our ACT tutors can create a custom study plan based on your target score and timeline.
Learn About ACT Tutoring