HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (WAFF) – It’s back to school for children across the Tennessee Valley, but some high school graduates are preparing to move on to another level soon – college.
To get there, many must take the ACT, and testing authorities announced this summer that some big changes are coming to the test.
These changes include a shorter test and the introduction of an optional science section.
ACT officials said these changes are intended to help modernize the test while ensuring students have a reportable score that accurately reflects their college readiness.
Currently, the ACT lasts three hours. The new test will only last two hours. Both Reading and English will have 44 fewer questions in total, giving students more time to answer each question.
As for science, students can now choose whether to participate. Like writing, this section is now optional.
Ashlee Grove of the Learning Team said the big question among educators now is what impact this will have on college admissions.
“I have to say it was a bit of a surprise and a lot of college counselors and colleges are a little bit up in arms now because when these test developers make these changes, it doesn’t mean they agree with what the colleges are doing,” Grove said.
Grove said we probably won’t know how this will affect college admissions numbers until next year, but she expects most colleges will encourage their students to take the science subjects, especially if they are seeking scholarships.
She said that despite these significant changes, exam preparation for her students will remain the same.
“The test hasn’t changed much in terms of the concepts it tests,” Grove said. “What has changed is that science will be optional. Honestly, I’m not changing my preparation much.”
Before your high school senior gets too excited about the changes, these test adjustments do not apply to this year’s college prospective students.
The changes to the online test will be introduced in spring 2025. For the state and district level tests, these changes will not be introduced until 2026.
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