In This Article:
Part 1: Core Administration Changes
Legacy ACT Core: English, Math, Reading, and Science
Enhanced ACT Core: English, Math, and Reading only
Science and Writing remain available but are no longer part of the shortest “core” version used for the composite score
Part 2: Section Length & Item Counts ⏱️
The Enhanced ACT shortens overall testing time and reduces the number of scored items, while keeping section balance.
Reporting Category Rebalancing
Although no reporting categories were added or removed, the percentage of items in each category has been rebalanced to emphasize different skills.
Reading
The categories remain the same, but distribution across comprehension skills is more balanced.
English
The new blueprint gives equal weight to grammar, writing, and language skills.
Math
More focus is placed on Higher Math, with less emphasis on Essential Skills.
Science
The science categories are unchanged but redistributed for more even representation.
Part 3: What This Means for Students & Teachers 🤔
Shorter Core Test: Students finish the main sections 50 minutes faster.
Deeper Focus on Fewer Skills: Especially in Math, where “Integrating Essential Skills” has been reduced to emphasize “Preparing for Higher Math.”
Balanced English Categories: Conventions of Standard English no longer dominate; equal weight is given to Production of Writing.
Science Slightly Rebalanced: Categories remain, but distributions are more evenly spread.
For more details, check out ACT’s official announcement here.
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