The Enhanced ACT in 2026: What Students and Parents Need to Know

The ACT has changed substantially, and many families are still preparing as though every student is taking the same four-section test used for years. The enhanced ACT gives students more flexibility, but that flexibility creates new decisions: which format to choose, whether to include science, and how to interpret older practice tests and score reports.

What changed on the ACT?

ACT introduced the enhanced test in stages. National online testing began changing in 2025, paper national testing followed in September 2025, and enhanced state and district testing expanded in spring 2026. According to ACT’s official guidance, the enhanced version is shorter, gives students more time per question, and allows science to be optional in national testing.

• Composite calculation: English, math, and reading determine the Composite.
• Science: optional for national testers; policies can differ for state or district administrations.
• Testing time: the core test is shorter than the legacy version.
• Superscoring: the Composite superscore uses the best English, math, and reading scores.

Because implementation differs by testing program, students should confirm the exact test they registered for. ACT maintains a current enhanced ACT FAQ and a national test-date page.

Should a student take science?

There is no universal answer. A student should consider prospective colleges, intended major, scholarship requirements, state or school testing rules, and whether science is likely to strengthen the overall testing profile. Students interested in STEM fields may value the additional science and STEM reporting, while another student may benefit from concentrating energy on the three Composite sections.

The right decision should be made before the final preparation plan is built. A student taking science needs practice with data displays, experiments, and competing explanations. A student not taking science can allocate more preparation time to the three sections that directly determine the Composite.

Can students still use older ACT practice tests?

Yes—but deliberately. Older tests remain useful for teaching grammar, algebra, reading evidence, data analysis, and disciplined pacing. They are less useful when treated as an exact simulation of the enhanced test. The number and arrangement of questions, timing, and score composition may differ.

A strong program uses older material for skill development while reserving current-format materials for realistic benchmarking. ACT has published updated preparation resources, including paper practice materials for the enhanced test.

How should preparation change?

1. Build the plan from the registered format

Before assigning work, confirm online or paper, science or no science, and whether the student is testing through a national, state, or district administration.

2. Stop using the Composite as the only diagnosis

A Composite can hide the real issue. The preparation plan should examine section scores, reporting categories, timing patterns, and individual missed questions.

3. Use the extra time strategically

More time per question does not automatically produce a higher score. Students still need decision rules: when to solve carefully, when to estimate, when to skip, and how to use a final review window.

4. Benchmark with current materials

The final weeks should include work that resembles the student’s actual administration. That is the best way to test pacing and stamina honestly.

What has not changed?

The core preparation principle is the same: students improve when they identify why points are being lost and practice a better process repeatedly. Memorizing tricks without content knowledge is fragile. Completing endless tests without analyzing errors is inefficient. The strongest preparation combines instruction, targeted practice, timing, and careful review.

Read ACT’s official overview of the enhanced ACT for current policy details.