New ACT launches this Spring 2025

The rivalry between the SAT and ACT has always resembled the classic Walgreens vs. CVS showdown—where one goes, the other follows. After the College Board rolled out major updates to the SAT in 2023, the ACT has now announced sweeping changes of its own, debuting in spring 2025. The new ACT will be shorter, feature optional science and writing sections, and allow students more time per question with shorter reading and English passages. While the test will still be scored on the familiar 1–36 scale, these updates raise big questions: is the ACT moving closer to the SAT, or carving out a fresh advantage for students looking for flexibility?