ACT 2026 Changes: What You Need to Know
7 min de lectura · Entrenau
The ACT underwent its biggest overhaul ever starting in 2025, and 2026 is the first full year under the new format. Fewer questions, more time per question, optional Science, section retesting, and a revamped superscore — here is everything that changed and how it affects your preparation.
The New ACT Format at a Glance
The enhanced ACT reduces the total question count from 215 to 171 (or just 131 if you skip the now-optional Science section). Core test time drops from 175 minutes to 125 minutes without Science.
Students now get roughly 18% more time per question — about 9 extra seconds on each item. That may not sound like a lot, but for a time-pressured test like the ACT it is a game changer.
- English: 50 questions in 35 min (was 75 in 45 min)
- Math: 50 questions in 50 min (was 60 in 60 min)
- Reading: 36 questions in 40 min (was 40 in 35 min — more time!)
- Science: 40 questions in 35 min — now OPTIONAL
Tip: Reading is the only core section where total time actually increased. Combined with 4 fewer questions you get over 66 seconds per question compared to about 53 seconds before — use that extra breathing room.
Science Is Now Optional — Should You Take It?
Starting with the enhanced ACT, the Science section no longer counts toward your composite score by default. Your composite is now the average of English, Math, and Reading only.
However, many colleges still want to see a Science score — especially STEM-focused programs. If you are applying to engineering, pre-med, or natural science programs, taking Science is strongly recommended.
The good news: since it is optional, a low Science score will not drag down your composite. You can take it with zero risk and only upside.
Tip: Check each college's ACT policy. Some still require or "recommend" the Science section. When in doubt, take it — it can only help.
Section Retesting: Retake Only What You Need
For the first time in ACT history, you can retake individual sections without sitting through the entire exam. If you aced English and Reading but want to improve Math, you can retake Math alone.
You may retake up to three sections on any ACT test date, and there is no limit on how many times you retest. This makes it much easier to incrementally improve your superscore.
Section retesting is available on all national test dates starting in 2025-2026. You must have a full ACT score on file before you can section-retest.
- Retest up to 3 sections per test date
- No lifetime limit on retests
- Must have at least one full ACT on record first
- Section retest scores are eligible for superscoring
New Superscoring Rules
ACT now calculates an official superscore across all your test dates. The new composite superscore uses only English, Math, and Reading — your three highest section scores from any sitting.
Scores from the old format and the new enhanced format CAN be combined for superscoring. So if you took the ACT before the changes, those section scores still count.
More and more colleges accept the ACT superscore. This, combined with section retesting, means you can strategically target one section at a time to build a top composite.
Tip: Pair section retesting with superscoring for maximum efficiency. Focus your prep on your weakest section, retest just that one, and watch your superscore climb.
2026 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines
The ACT is offered on seven national test dates throughout the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. Registration typically opens about two months before each test date, and the regular deadline is roughly five weeks before.
Late registration is available for an extra $36 fee and closes about three weeks before the test. After the late deadline, standby testing may still be possible but is not guaranteed.
- April 5, 2026
- June 14, 2026
- July 12, 2026 (no New York centers)
- September 2026 (date TBA — 2026-2027 cycle)
- October 2026 (date TBA)
- December 2026 (date TBA)
Tip: June and July are popular dates for rising seniors who want scores back before college application season. Register early — popular test centers fill up fast.
How to Prepare for the New ACT
The enhanced format rewards strategic preparation more than ever. With fewer questions and more time, accuracy matters more than speed. Shift your practice from "answer as fast as possible" to "get every question right."
Use EntrenAU's free practice tests to simulate the new format. Focus on your weakest section first — thanks to section retesting, you can tackle one area at a time instead of cramming everything at once.
Build a 6-8 week study plan. Weeks 1-2: diagnostic and content review. Weeks 3-5: targeted practice on weak areas. Weeks 6-8: full-length practice tests under timed conditions.
Fuentes: Official ACT Enhancements Page, ACT Test Dates & Registration, ACT Section Retesting FAQ