ACT Test Enhancements: Higher Ed

...as a result of ACT's test changes?

ACT is committed to ensuring that the new Composite score based on three sections is comparable to the legacy Composite score, which included four sections. Because we are maintaining the comparability between these two scores, we expect that the established concordance will remain valid.  

ACT will also continue to partner with the College Board on our regular review cycle to reassess and validate the concordance agreements over time.  

...from the enhanced ACT scores? 

As part of our research on the ACT enhancements, we are comparing student performance across all sections of both the legacy and enhanced versions of the test. Our findings indicate that performance is comparable, with no statistically significant differences, across each of these sections at the aggregate level. As a result, ACT is confident that scores from either the legacy or enhanced test sections can be used reliably to calculate the Composite score or ACT Superscore. 

ACT is conducting ongoing research to evaluate the interpretations and uses of test scores. As research outcomes become available, ACT will publish detailed reports and engage with stakeholders to share findings. These communications will explain the changes and the rationale behind them and highlight key results from studies examining the technical characteristics of the updates, such as various forms of validity (content, cognitive process, internal structure, concurrent, and predictive), as well as measurement properties like reliability, score comparability, and timing. Additionally, we will provide information about perceptions of the enhanced ACT relative to the traditional ACT. 

Our ACT researchers have thoroughly analyzed historical, simulated, and recent test data, confirming that the new three-section Composite score maintains strong predictability, validity, and rigor. These studies show only minimal differences in overall score distributions when compared to the traditional four-section Composite score. As we complete these studies, we will publish detailed results and welcome any questions or feedback for further research. 

The ACT Composite score has been updated. Starting in April 2025 for all national tests administered online, and fall 2025, for all others, the ACT Composite score will be the average of the section scores from English, math, and reading. This updated Composite score calculation will apply to all national and international testing, as well as students testing through state and district contracts. Students can still take all five sections of the ACT, but now have more flexibility to tailor their test experience based on their individual education needs. Taking all five sections provides the greatest number of readiness insights because students will receive five individual section scores, a STEM score, and an ELA score. 

Students who choose to take the science section will receive a standalone science score along with a STEM score (comprising science and math). Students who take the writing section receive both a standalone writing score and an ELA score (comprising English, reading, and writing).

...co-exist for any period of time? 

Yes. When we soft launch the enhanced ACT for national online testing in April, June, and July 2025, students will receive scores using the new ACT Composite, which introduces the choice for students to test with or without the science section. state and district, international, and paper-based national ACT test events will continue through the summer of 2025, and scores from these events will be reported using the ACT Composite that includes English, math, reading, and science. 

We will not retroactively recalculate Composite scores for students who tested before the conversion to the new scoring. Because ACT research shows that the Composite scores with and without science are comparable, and ongoing research will continue validating this throughout the transition, colleges and universities can confidently use these scores for admission, scholarships, and placement purposes. 

We will not recalculate scores from previous attempts, as they have already been reported and received by higher education institutions.

...and enhanced ACT scores?

When generating the ACT Superscore report, ACT will use a student's best performance from each section, regardless of which version of the test that section score came from. We are confident that combining scores from both the legacy and enhanced versions of the ACT will result in valid and predictive ACT Superscore. 

While the ACT Superscore will no longer include the science score as the Composite change rollout occurs, the report will still display the highest science and STEM scores if the student has taken the science section. If not, the report will show "-/-" for that section. 

...ACT test data?

Institutions will continue to access score sender data files through current Encoura® channels without disruption. 

The data file will remain largely unchanged.  For most institutions technical updates will be unnecessary. The field names and location of most commonly used ACT data remain unchanged (composite and/or section scores, etc.). Institutions will be able to easily identify whether the science section was taken and whether the science score was included in the Composite score calculation. Access updated technical documentation and all other ACT College Score Report File Layout and Resources.

Section scores will continue to be reported on the familiar 1-36 scale. 

...and/or program specific criteria?

This decision is institution-specific, and ACT is happy to work with your campus to evaluate it. 

Historically, although the SAT^® does not include a dedicated science section, both ACT and SAT® Composite scores have been widely accepted and often concorded for admissions and scholarships, including for selective programs. 

Many institutions have confirmed that they will continue using and interpreting the enhanced ACT test score data for admission, scholarships, and student success, just as they did before the changes. 

ACT has assured institutions that: 

• In fall 2025, the transition to the new ACT Composite score will be seamless, ensuring that starting with tests administered in September 2025, the Composite score will be based solely on English, math, and reading. 
• Scores from tests taken prior to September 2025 will remain unchanged and will not be recalculated. 
• To ensure continuity, the ACT Research team has planned a robust research agenda to compare scores from the enhanced ACT to the current version. This will provide institutions with confidence that the scores are comparable, and ACT will share the completed study with higher education institutions. 
• There will be no disruption to the data files provided to higher education institutions. 
• Section scores will still be reported on the 1-36 scale. 
• Science and scientific reasoning remain crucial, and ACT will continue to be the only college readiness test with a dedicated science section. 
• ACT is committed to offering flexibility, allowing students and families to choose the assessments that best suit their needs. Students who opt out of the science section can still receive a valid, college-reportable score while enjoying a shorter testing experience. 

...require them to take the science section?

ACT recognizes that different higher education institutions will continue to have varying entrance criteria and requirements. We will advise students, families, and counselors to closely review these requirements when researching potential schools. This advice will be shared through multiple channels, including messaging during registration, the Preparing for the ACT document, and updates on the ACT enhancements web pages, along with other public platforms. 

The enhancements to the ACT were made thoughtfully and with great care.  This has included extensive engagement and consultation (dating back more than 2 years) with ACT’s Higher Education Senior Leadership Council – an advisory body composed of chief enrollment leaders reflecting wide diversity of institution type, size, selectivity and region.  The first public announcement coincided with the July 15, 2024 opening of the ACT Enrollment Management Summit in Chicago.  This was followed by emails from ACT and Encoura to higher ed. 

As we continue to roll out these changes to the public, ACT is committed to maintaining engagement with the higher education community by providing periodic updates on the research we are performing around these changes, as well as the technical aspects of the enhancements themselves. 

Visit help.encoura.org for the most up to date information related to ACT’s college reporting services.  The following direct links provide technical details of data file changes that will go into effect on April 1, 2025.

2025 ACT Score Reporting Service Layout (PDF)

2025 ACT Score Reporting Service Layout (XLSX)

2025 ACT Score Reporting Service Sample File