ACT Announces Major Format Overhaul for 2025-2026 Testing Cycle

The ACT will introduce a substantially redesigned exam format for the 2025-2026 testing cycle, marking one of the most significant changes to the college entrance exam in decades. According to details published by test preparation services, the new format will feature a shorter testing time and a reduced number of questions, fundamentally altering student preparation strategies for the upcoming admissions season.

The core changes, as outlined by Test Ninjas, include a reduction in total testing time from three hours to approximately two hours. The total question count will drop from 215 to 171. A pivotal shift is the new optional status of the Science section; students can choose to skip it, which would further reduce the total question count to just 131. These modifications represent a direct response to the evolving landscape of standardized testing and student feedback regarding exam length and stress.

This overhaul arrives amidst a notable counter-trend in college admissions policies: a move by several elite institutions away from test-optional frameworks. As noted in a July 2026 update from Carnegie Prep, "Several universities have reinstated their SAT/ACT requirements beginning with the Fall 2027 admissions cycle." This confluence of events—a redesigned test and a reinvigorated emphasis on testing at selective schools—creates a critical inflection point for families. Students building applications for the 2027 cycle must now navigate a new exam structure while contending with the reality that top-tier schools are increasingly likely to require a score.

The ACT organization has confirmed the 2025-2026 test dates, but the specific rollout details of the new format are still being clarified. High school juniors in the 2025-2026 academic year will be the first cohort to experience this streamlined test, making their preparation this summer and fall uniquely challenging as they adapt to a new testing paradigm.