For students aspiring to attend universities in the United States, the ACT examination has long been one of the most scrutinised standardised admission tests. As of 2025, the ACT has undergone significant reforms that will impact the admission requirements and standards of various universities, with these changes closely tied to application outcomes. This article aims to inform students about the latest ACT examination content and scoring calculations, as well as the changes to examination timings, thereby enhancing their confidence in preparation for the ACT.
What is the ACT? Is it a Requirement for Applying to US Universities?
The ACT is a widely used standardised admission test for US universities, designed to assess students' abilities in English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. However, in light of recent changes in admissions policies, whether the ACT is a "mandatory requirement" is no longer uniform and depends on the preferences of individual institutions.
For instance, for the 2025 US university applications, many institutions have implemented Test-Optional policies, allowing applicants to decide whether to submit their ACT scores. This includes George Washington University [1], Oregon State University [2], and Pomona College. Furthermore, the University of California [3] has completely removed the ACT score as part of the admissions application.
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Which Universities Still Require ACT Scores?
As of 2025, some top-tier institutions continue to mandate that applicants submit ACT scores as part of the admission review process. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) explicitly states that applicants must provide relevant scores for admission consideration [4]. Additionally, Stanford University has announced that applicants for the Class of 2030 (autumn 2026 entry) must submit ACT scores [5], while Harvard University will also resume requiring students to submit ACT and other standardised test scores starting in 2024 (Class of 2029, autumn 2025 entry) [6]. This indicates that for many of the leading universities in the US, the ACT remains a critical metric for selecting outstanding students [7].
2025 ACT Examination Reforms
Before introducing the content of the ACT examination, students should note that significant reforms were implemented starting in 2025, as follows: [8]
Changes in Subject Selection
The science section has shifted from a mandatory to an optional subject, similar to reading, allowing candidates to decide whether to take it based on the requirements of their chosen institutions or programmes, thereby enhancing flexibility and reducing the burden of preparation.
Revisions to Questions and Changes in Examination Duration
This reform shortens the overall duration of the ACT examination from 195 minutes to 125 minutes, reducing the total number of questions by approximately 44. Additionally, the number of answer choices in the mathematics section has been adjusted from five to four. The reading passages have also been shortened to improve test efficiency and concentration.
Adjustments to Superscore Calculations
From April 2025, the ACT will adopt a new Superscore calculation method [9]. If candidates choose to take the examination online, the Superscore will only include scores from English, mathematics, and reading, excluding science, and will be fully implemented by September.
Scoring Changes
Under the new system, ACT scores will still display the highest scores for each subject along with the test dates, but the Composite Score will only be calculated based on the average of the English, mathematics, and reading scores. A candidate's highest score may come from different testing sessions or versions (old or new), while the science score will only be used in conjunction with mathematics for STEM score calculations and will no longer contribute to the Composite Score.
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Key Points of the ACT Examination Content
Having understood the key reforms, the following outlines the latest ACT examination content, primarily divided into five sections, including three mandatory subjects and two optional ones (science and writing). Key points for each section are as follows: [10]
English
- Format and Duration: 50 questions (40 scored), 35 minutes, total score of 36.
- Content Focus: Assesses candidates' understanding of Standard Written English, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary usage, while requiring students to demonstrate comprehension of text structure and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics
- Format and Duration: 45 questions (41 scored), 50 minutes, total score of 36.
- Content Focus: Covers mathematics knowledge up to Year 12, including algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry, and trigonometry, with a focus on evaluating students' mathematical skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Reading
- Format and Duration: 36 questions (27 scored), 40 minutes, total score of 36.
- Content Focus: Tests students' reading comprehension abilities, with materials covering fiction, social sciences, natural sciences, and literature, emphasising the analysis of main ideas, inferences of the author's viewpoint, and the integration of information.
Science (Optional)
- Format and Duration: 40 questions (34 scored), 40 minutes, total score of 36.
- Content Focus: Assesses students' ability to analyse graphs, experiments, and reasoning, without involving specific scientific knowledge, as this section is optional.
Writing (Optional)
- Format and Duration: One essay, 40 minutes, total score of 12.
- Content Focus: Requires candidates to analyse contemporary issues and present a logical, well-structured, and persuasive argument within a limited time, as this is an optional section.
The ACT examination will include "experimental questions," which do not count towards scores but are used to assess the difficulty and fairness of the questions; therefore, the total number of questions will exceed the actual scored questions.
ACT Scoring Standards and Calculation Methods
The total ACT score ranges from 1 to 36, calculated as follows: [11]
| Score Type | Calculation Method | Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Score | Total number of correct answers in each subject; incorrect or unanswered questions receive no penalty | Varies by subject |
| Scaled Score | Converts the raw score based on the difficulty of the test | 1 to 36 |
| Composite Score | Average of the scaled scores for English, mathematics, and reading, rounded to the nearest integer | 1 to 36 |
Overall, the ACT scoring calculation is based on the three mandatory subjects, taking the average of their scaled scores and rounding to the nearest integer. If the science section is taken, it will be scored independently from 1 to 36, while institutions or disciplines may combine mathematics and science scores for a STEM composite score. If writing is also taken, a separate ACT writing score (1 to 12) will be assigned, independent of the composite score.
ACT Examination Timings and Scores Overview
The following is a summary of ACT examination timings and scores:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Test Duration | Score (Scaled Score Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 questions (40 scored) | 35 minutes | 1 to 36 |
| Mathematics | 45 questions (41 scored) | 50 minutes | 1 to 36 |
| Reading | 36 questions (27 scored) | 40 minutes | 1 to 36 |
| Science (Optional) | 40 questions (34 scored) | 40 minutes | 1 to 36 (not included in Composite Score) |
| Writing (Optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes | 2 to 12 (not included in Composite Score) |
ACT Score Ranges for Admission to Prestigious US Universities
Having understood the ACT scoring methodology, the next step is to reference the actual admission standards of various universities. Different institutions set varying score standards based on academic levels and competition among applicants. Below are the ACT score ranges for admitted students at some of the top US universities:
- Harvard University: Composite score of approximately 31 to 36 [12]
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Approximately 34 to 36 [13]
- Stanford University: Approximately 34 to 35 [14]
- Yale University: Approximately 31 to 36 [15]
- University of Pennsylvania: Approximately 34 to 35 [16]
- Columbia University: Approximately 34 to 35 [17]
The ACT examination has no limitations on the number of attempts. Candidates typically sit for the test 2 to 3 times to achieve their desired scores. Most universities also accept Superscore, allowing students to combine their best scores from multiple attempts when applying to their preferred institutions [18]. Additionally, admission criteria at each institution consider other factors beyond ACT scores, including academic performance (GPA), extracurricular activities, recommendations, and personal statements. It is advisable for students to not only focus on the ACT but also actively participate in extracurricular activities.
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Contact GROVE Education to Unlock Your Pathway to US Higher Education
In summary, while not all US universities consider the ACT examination a mandatory requirement, it remains an important reference point for many top institutions. Students are encouraged to thoroughly understand the ACT examination content and scoring, familiarise themselves with the types of questions, and manage their time effectively to strive for optimal results. For any inquiries regarding applications for studying in the US, please feel free to contact GROVE Education, where professional consultants are ready to assist you in navigating your educational journey.
References：
1. George Washington University Admissions - Test-Optional Admissions Policy
2. Oregon State University Admissions - Test-Optional Admissions
3. Pomona College - Pomona College Makes Test-Optional Admissions Policy Permanent
4. University of California Admissions - Freshman Requirements
5. MIT Admissions - Tests & Scores
6. Stanford News - Stanford to Resume Standardized Test Requirement
7. Harvard College Admissions - Application Requirements
8. ACT - ACT CHANGES: FOR YOUR SUCCESS
9. ACT - Superscore FAQs
10. ACT - ACT Exam Sections and Structure
11. ACT - Understanding Your Scores
12. Harvard College Admissions - Do I need a minimum required SAT or ACT score? (FAQ)
13. MIT Admissions - Stats: Who We Admit
14. Stanford University - First-Year Applicants
15. Yale University - Standardized Testing
16. Penn Admissions - Incoming Class Profile
17. Columbia University - Columbia Common Data Set 2024-2025(PDF)
18. ACT - Retaking the ACT: Your FAQs Answered