ACT is rolling out its newer streamlined version online April 5th. This test will have some changes to the core tests and the science section will be optional. These changes will not be seen on the paper version of the test until September 2025. The paper test in April does offer the science section of the test but it is optional. If you take the science section then your composite score will be calculated with all four tests scores. If you do not take the science section then your composite score will be based only on english, reading, and math. The science and math sections will still be combined for a stem score if science is taken.
What does this mean for this years juniors?
The online version
The online version is only being given at certain testing locations that can provide the device that the test is taken on. The April test will be the first time that ACT gives the online test and it will be interesting to see if there are any internet or connection problems that occur. The test is not compatible for all types of computers and has not been formatted yet to be taken on personal devices. The online version does have the ability to provide more accommodations like text to speech option but there will be limited seating at these locations.
Should students take the science section?
As a science teacher, I was not happy to see that science was made optional, but this change will be helpful for many students. The science section does not focus on science knowledge but on the students ability to interpret charts and graphs and to determine relationships between variables in an experiment. It is also the last test given, and it can be difficult for students to focus after taking the other three sections. It is recommended a student who is interested in a science or stem field take the test. All 4 tests will be used for the composite and a stem score of math and science will be given. If a student is not going into a science related field, then there is no need to take the test. This allows them more time to focus on preparing for the other 3 core tests.
Superscoring
If the science section is taken, then the super score will be comprised of all four scores. If it is not taken then it will be determined by english, reading, and math. In September of 2025 the paper version will reflect these changes and all composite scores will no longer include the science section. It will be up to individual colleges to decide if they include the science score in the students composite. It looks like ACT is not changing old composite scores only calculating the new ones differently. So a student may have an old composite score with the science test included and a newer one without it. Universities will have to decide how they will compare the two different scores.
New version VS standard ACT
The newer version has fewer questions and does allow for more time per questions. They also reduced the number of possible answer choices from 5 to 4. Does this mean that the test is easier? The answer options that were removed were the ones that were chosen the least often and were often an obvious incorrect answer. The number of lower level math questions were reduced and more high school level skills were added. This may mean that there may be fewer problems that require more time to answer. The advantage of the changes on the english test is that the questions now have a stem prompt. It may say choose the answer that is grammatically correct. In the standard version the student would figure out that it is a grammatical error by looking at the answer choices. It will be interesting to see if these changes affect students overall composite scores. Only time will tell.
Test preparation
Some of the ACT online practice tests reflect the new format but most of the tests are based on the standard ACT. I would highly recommend that students purchase and official ACT practice book and take as many practice tests as possible. This will allow them to get a feel for the pace that they need to take the tests and will allow them to identify the types of problems that they are missing. Practice is always important in the learning process. If you feel that your student may need some additional help to raise their score, check out my website at www.tutoringplus.online.
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