ACT Announces Major Format Change for 2025-2026 Testing Cycle

The ACT will undergo its most significant format change in recent memory for the 2025-2026 testing cycle, reducing total test time by 50 minutes and eliminating the standalone science section. According to test preparation firm Test Ninjas, the core test time will drop from 175 minutes to 125 minutes, with the science section removed entirely. The result, as analyzed by the outlet, is that students will receive approximately 18% more time per question—about nine extra seconds on average—across the remaining English, Math, and Reading sections.

This structural shift arrives amid a complex and evolving testing landscape for elite admissions. While the University of California system remains firmly test-blind for current applicants, as confirmed by its official social media, several other highly selective schools have reinstated test-required policies for students entering in Fall 2026 and beyond. Collegewise notes that "several elite schools have reinstated test-required policies in 2026," and resources like Compass Prep are tracking the specific policies and score ranges for popular colleges. The ACT's own registration portal is now open for the 2025-2026 test dates, meaning students preparing for this admissions cycle will be the first to encounter this streamlined exam format.

The change represents a direct response to criticisms of test length and student fatigue, potentially making the ACT a more attractive option for students who find the SAT's digital format less appealing. However, the removal of the science section alters a long-standing differentiator between the two major standardized tests and may influence which test students choose to prepare for. Admissions offices at test-recommending or test-required institutions will receive applications with scores from this new version of the ACT for the first time during the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.