Category: Compass Academics Blog

  • Superscoring and the New ACT

    Superscoring and the New ACT

    With the ACT announcing significant changes to its test, many students, parents, and educators are wondering how, exactly, the new scoring system will impact Superscores for college admissions.

    Beginning in April 2025, all students taking the National Online ACT will find their score reports different from previous administrations. The ACT composite score will only include the English, Math, and Reading sections. Starting in September 2025, this will apply to both online and paper-based tests.  So, how will colleges use scores pre-April 2025 when Superscoring with scores post-April 2025?

    Most schools with a policy of Superscoring will likely create a Superscoring from the English, Math, and Reading sections of all tests, reserving any Science score as a separate score. Since Science is now optional, that score will be reported separately and combined with Math for a separate STEM score.

    College applicants should note that not all schools Superscore, so they should not just assume that all of the colleges on their list will adopt this policy. Some notable schools that do not Superscore (as of the date of this blogpost) include: Penn State, U of Illinois, Ohio State, UT Austin, U of Wisconsin, and Georgetown. We suggest contacting Admissions at each school to determine their current test policies.

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  • ACT Updates 2025: All You Need To Know

    ACT Updates 2025: All You Need To Know

    ACT announced its first major redesign this year, and it takes effect for both online and paper-based National test takers this September. In 2025, significant changes are being implemented to the ACT to enhance the testing experience for students. These changes are designed to provide more flexibility, reduce stress, and better align the test with college readiness standards. Here’s what you need to know:

    1. Shorter Test Duration

    The overall testing time will be reduced from 195 minutes to 125 minutes for the national test (excluding optional sections—see below).

    1. Reduced Number of Questions:

    The total number of questions will decrease by 44, leading to fewer questions per section.

    The English section will have 50 questions, Math will have 45, and Reading will have 36. What about Science, you wonder? That’s the next big change.

    1. More Time Per Question:

    With fewer questions, students will have more time to think through each question, which can help reduce test anxiety and boost overall confidence with clock management. 

    1. Fewer Answer Choices:

    The number of answer choices for Math questions will be reduced from five to four, simplifying the decision-making process for students and increasing the odds of correct answers when guessing.

    1. OPTIONAL Science and Writing Sections:

    While the Writing test has always been optional, the Science test is now optional, too. However, students should not equate these two sections when it comes to admissions. While most schools no longer require the Writing section, many schools will still want to see the Science score, especially if a student is considering a STEM major.

    When students opt to take the Science section, it will be reported separately and will contribute to a STEM score but not the Composite score.

    1. Changes in Scoring:

    The new Composite score will be calculated based on English, Math, and Reading scores ONLY. The scoring scale of 1-36 will remain.

    Students taking the Science section will receive a separate Science score and a combined STEM score.

    If you need support preparing for the ACT, our private, customized test prep program will help you reach your goals.

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