
Upcoming Changes to the ACT
Beginning in April 2025, the ACT is changing, and MEK wants you to have all the info you need to prepare! For those taking the test online, the ACT changes will go into effect in April, but for those taking the paper-and-pencil exam, the changes will go into effect in September 2025.
What’s changing?
The ACT is becoming shorter and more efficient than ever before. For online tests, the following ACT changes will be implemented in April 2025 (September 2025 for paper-pencil):
- 44 fewer questions overall.
- More time per question.
- Shorter test length. Students will have up to 125 minutes of testing instead of up to 195.
- Fewer answer choices in the math questions: four instead of five.
- Students will be able to choose whether to take the ACT with or without the science sections. Beginning in spring 2026, state and district customers will choose whether to include the science portion with the ACT for their students.
What’s staying the same?
Although there are a number of ACT changes being implemented this spring, some elements of the ACT will remain the same as before.
- The scoring scale will still be 1-36, and there will be no changes to ACT benchmarks of state-specific achievement standards.
- Scores from tests taken before the rollout of the new ACT will not change.
- The ability to predict first-year college success based on ACT scores will not change.
- Both paper-and-pencil as well as online tests will continue to be available.
- The writing section will remain optional.
Why are these ACT changes happening?
Making the ACT shorter with fewer questions creates a test that is more manageable and less stressful for students. At the same time, the integrity and rigor of the exam remains the same so that colleges can continue to rely on the score results during the admissions process.
Removing the science section also allows for more choice and flexibility. Students who are not going into the sciences, or for whom science is not their strongest subject, can tailor the exam to fit their specific needs. However, if you do choose to take the science section or plan to major in the sciences in college, your ACT score will include a science and STEM score. Essentially, if you are planning to major in science or a STEM field, or take science courses in college, we recommend taking the science section of the exam. That way, you can showcase your skills and move closer to your future goals.
How long is the overall test?
The ACT test length depends on whether students take the science and/or writing sections or not. But for your convenience, we’ve broken down the lengths below:
- If you choose to take only the English, math, and reading portions of the ACT, the testing time (not including short breaks between sections) will be 2 hours and 5 minutes. Once these sections are completed, students who chose not to take the science and writing portions will be dismissed.
- English: 35 minutes with 50 questions (~42 seconds per question)
- Math: 50 minutes with 45 questions (~1 minute and 7 seconds per question)
- Reading: 40 minutes with 36 questions (~1 minute and 7 seconds per question)
- If you decide to take the science and/or writing portion(s) of the ACT, you will remain in the room and get a short break.
- Science: 40 minutes with 40 questions (~1 minute per question)
- Writing: 40 minutes with 1 writing prompt
How is MEK preparing for the upcoming ACT changes?
Beginning spring 2025, MEK is offering ACT group classes, modeled after our expert SAT Prep Program. Students planning to take the ACT will be provided with a course placement in ACT Foundation, ACT 30, or ACT 34. Each of these levels target different performance levels, ensuring that students of any testing profile have a level that best addresses their needs.
Should your child take MEK’s ACT prep courses?
Unlike the SAT, the new ACT is not adaptive based on skill. This means that all students will have the same chance to show their best work from beginning to end. Students with strong study skills and motivation but who struggle with test-taking, complicated texts, or reading comprehension may benefit from taking the ACT. Very studious students with high GPAs may sometimes struggle with test-taking, leading to a huge gap between test skills and GPA.
Through MEK’s ACT test prep, students will build a foundation of powerful skills that will help them earn a higher score. With MEK, we can help your child reach a target score of 30 or higher, depending on their individual goals and needs.
What courses will be offered?
ACT Foundation
ACT Foundation is for students scoring under a 26 on the ACT. Through ACT Foundation, students will learn the basic skills required to succeed on the exam. Our experienced instructors will teach reading and grammar skills, as well as simple algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra. Through classroom tests and assignments, we’ll assess your child’s readiness for the next level ACT course, ACT 30.
ACT 30
MEK’s ACT 30 class is for students scoring between 27 and 30 on the ACT. Once your child is able to solve test-like questions with 70 to 80% accuracy, they will be promoted to ACT 30, where they will get review lectures teaching the skills needed to walk into the ACT with confidence. They’ll also take practice exams to prepare for the test.
ACT 34
The ACT 34 course is for students who are scoring above 30 on the ACT. Like the ACT 30 class, students will participate in review lectures and practice tests intended to help them raise their scores before test day.
Class format
Our ACT courses will be offered virtually, with the first class starting on February 21st. ACT Foundation will be a total of 16 sessions, while ACT 30 and 34 will be 20 sessions long.
Spring 2025 class schedule
ACT Foundation
- Tuesdays 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (English)
- Wednesdays 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (Math)
Term: February 25th through June 11th (16 total sessions)
ACT 30
- Fridays 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Term: February 21st through July 11th (20 total sessions, excluding 7/4)
ACT 34
- Fridays 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Term: February 21st through July 11th (20 total sessions, excluding 7/4)
How do I sign up?
Contact us today by calling 855-346-1410, or emailing mek@mekreview.com to sign up for our ACT group classes! When you pay your $300 deposit online here, our enrollment team will send you an evaluation test to see which class your child should join. Students who have taken the ACT in the past three months will not need to take the evaluation test.
And if you register by February 20th, you’ll get a 20% discount on our ACT classes! Seats are limited, so sign up today.