Enhanced ACT Tips: How to Prepare for Every Section (English, Math & Reading)

Upon hearing that the results of the Enhanced ACT were bringing out conflicting reactions, a tutor told us, “You know, this reminds me of Taylor Swift’s 2010 hit Innocent. 

One of its lines captures the resilient spirit of the high school students preparing for the ACT: “Today is never too late to be brand new.“

Sure, the new ACT requires you to rethink a number of things. If anything you’ve heard about the Enhanced ACT made you feel a little anxious, relax. It’s perfectly normal to be anxious about something that’s important to you.

In this post, we look at the difference between what was expected from the test and what was delivered.

We also spoke to students who took the Enhanced ACT and tutors. We examine how to best prepare for the test and bring in some expert tips on how to navigate through the Enhanced ACT. 

But first, a little about the Enhanced ACT.
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What is the Enhanced ACT

The Enhanced ACT is a newer, digital version of the traditional ACT that has three major changes, among other small changes: it has fewer questions, is shorter in terms of time, and has changed the number of compulsory sections. It’s designed to give students more flexibility and clarity in showcasing their academic strengths.

Looking for a more detailed understanding of the format of the test? Here is a great resource on the new ACT; be sure to check it out.
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Is the Enhanced ACT easier or harder than the legacy ACT?

The Enhanced ACT changes are not necessarily easier or harder overall, but it does feel different in several important ways.

For many students, the updated format feels more manageable because:

• The test is shorter
• Students get slightly more time per question in some sections
• The overall testing experience feels less exhausting

At the same time, the Enhanced ACT still tests the same core skills:

• Reading comprehension
• Grammar and editing
• Algebra and higher-level math reasoning
• Data interpretation and problem solving

What changes most is how students experience the test.

Some students find the Enhanced ACT easier because the pacing feels less rushed than the legacy format. Others find it harder because they are unfamiliar with the updated structure, digital workflows, and timing adjustments.

The biggest challenge for most students is not difficulty alone. It is adapting preparation strategies to match the new format.

Students who continue preparing with outdated pacing methods or older paper-test habits often struggle more than students practicing under realistic Enhanced ACT conditions.

That is why strong Enhanced ACT preparation should focus on:

• Understanding the updated section structure
• Practicing with realistic timing
• Building digital test familiarity
• Reviewing mistakes strategically
• Developing section-specific pacing strategies

In most cases, students who adapt early to the Enhanced ACT format become comfortable with it surprisingly quickly.
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Enhanced ACT vs legacy ACT: what actually changed

Before preparing for the Enhanced ACT, it helps to understand exactly how it differs from the legacy ACT and how Digital ACT differs from Paper ACT. While the core subjects and scoring scale remain the same, the Enhanced ACT changes the number of questions, timing, and pacing across sections. 

The table below compares the Legacy ACT and Enhanced ACT side by side so you can see what has changed and how it may affect your preparation strategy.

* Includes embedded field-test items that do not contribute to scoring.

Key changes in the Enhanced ACT

• Shorter overall testing time
• Fewer total questions
• More time per question in Reading and Science
• Reduced English and Math section lengths
• Same 1–36 scoring scale as the legacy ACT
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Section-by-section timing: how much time do you actually have?

One of the biggest concerns students have about the Enhanced ACT is pacing. Even though the test is shorter overall, time pressure still plays a major role, especially in Math and English.

Understanding how much time you realistically have per question can help you build smarter pacing strategies during practice. Instead of focusing only on total section time, it is more useful to think in terms of seconds per question.

What this means for your preparation

• English remains the fastest-paced section despite having fewer questions
• Math gives slightly more breathing room than the legacy ACT
• Reading now allows more time per passage and question
• Science pacing still requires quick data interpretation and decision-making

The best way to improve timing on the Enhanced ACT is through realistic timed practice, not untimed content review alone.

Detailed pacing analytics by trusted platforms like EdisonOS can also help students understand exactly where time is being lost. Modern ACT prep platforms track section timing, question accuracy, and pacing patterns to reveal whether students are struggling with speed, comprehension, or decision-making under pressure.
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Should you take the Enhanced ACT Science section?

The Enhanced ACT now allows students to choose whether they want to take the Science section. This has created a lot of confusion because the Science score no longer affects the ACT composite score directly.

Under the Enhanced ACT format, the composite score is calculated using only:

• English
• Math
• Reading

The Science section appears separately on the score report if a student chooses to take it, but it is not included in the composite score.

So, should you take the ACT Science section?

For most students, the safest strategy is to take the Science section at least once. Here’s why:

Some colleges may still value the Science score

Because the Enhanced ACT changes are relatively recent, many colleges are still deciding how they will use the optional Science section during admissions.

Some selective colleges may:

• Recommend Science initially
• Require it temporarily
• Use it as additional context for STEM applicants

Having at least one Science score available keeps more options open.

Skipping Science can help some students improve their composite scores

If Science has consistently been the weakest section and is lowering your overall ACT performance, taking the ACT without Science can sometimes improve your composite score more easily.

This is especially relevant because:

• The composite now depends only on English, Math, and Reading
• More preparation time can be focused on those three sections
• Science no longer impacts superscores in the same way as before

What most students should do

A practical approach for many students is:

• Take the Science section once
• Keep the score if it is strong
• Focus primarily on improving English, Math, and Reading afterward

Since those three sections now determine the composite score, they should receive the majority of your preparation time.

The biggest takeaway

The ACT Science section is now less important than it was under the legacy ACT, but it is not necessarily irrelevant.

Students applying to competitive schools, STEM programs, or colleges that may still recommend Science should avoid assuming it no longer matters at all.
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How long is the Enhanced Act

The Enhanced ACT is designed to be shorter and more efficient than the traditional ACT while still measuring the same core skills. The total testing time is 2 hours and five minutes, excluding breaks and administrative instructions.

Here’s how the time is distributed across sections:

• English: 35 minutes
• Math: 50 minutes
• Reading: 40 minutes

The optional Writing (Essay) section and Science section, if taken, add 40 minutes each to the total test time.

By reducing overall length and streamlining sections, the Enhanced ACT aims to lower test fatigue and help students stay focused throughout the exam.
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Enhanced ACT: First impressions

Because we spoke to a number of people, we’re putting aside for a moment what only a couple of test-takers mentioned. Here are the three high-level impressions of the Enhanced ACT that were shared by most of the ACT-takers.

The test experience

The test format and the interface were exactly like the ones you get to experience on the official ACT website. We are proud to say that EdisonOS is one of the first to recreate the test experience. Why not give your students a mock, practice ACT test by signing up here?

Reading questions

The passage for the reading questions was noticeably shorter. However, as expected, the questions were more focused. That is hardly surprising, because if shorter questions were less intensive, they’d become easier, thereby diluting the ACT.

Math questions

The opinion was a little divided here, but many test-takers say they found the Math questions slightly difficult. This may have happened, in part, because the test covered nearly every variety. We’ll return to this in our detailed analysis.

What hasn’t changed in the Enhanced ACT

Many of the top-level elements of the ACT have been kept unchanged. They are:

1. The scores continue to be reported in the range of 1 to 36, with increments of 1. The score of 1 continues to be the lowest possible while 36 continues to be the highest possible score.
2. The ACT continues to assess a student’s English, Math, and Reading skills. These continue to be tested in separate sections.
3. The ‘syllabus’ for the ACT remains unchanged. However, there will be significant changes in the test-prep and test-taking strategies.
4. The ACT scores remain a good indicator of a test-taker’s college-readiness.
5. The scores of the Enhanced ACT and those of the legacy test can be used interchangeably for the admission and related processes.

How is the Enhanced ACT different?

There are some changes that can be easily pointed out and explained. Other changes aren’t that straightforward. And if we go by the test-takers’ opinion, some of these differences are subjective, which means not all students may experience them.

Here is a brief summary of how the Enhanced ACT is different from the traditional ACT.

Number of compulsory sections

English, Math, and Reading are the only compulsory sections. Science, which was earlier compulsory, is now optional.

Number of total questions

There will be a total of 131 questions across the three sections - 44 fewer than the traditional ACT.

Time

The Enhanced ACT is shorter, but because there are fewer questions, on average, you now get more time per question than before.

Number of answer choices

The number of answer choices has been reduced to four from five.

Enhanced ACT Format: A Detailed Review

We’re starting with something that’s certainly not the most important, but it was so common we thought it should be mentioned first.

A student who also took the Science section received the following scores:
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The student expected a composite score of 28 because the average of all four sections is 27.75. However, under the Enhanced ACT, the composite is based only on English, Math, and Reading. Since Science is now optional, the correct average is (28 + 26 + 26) / 3 = 26.66, rounded to 27.

The real lesson here is not that the Science section doesn’t count in your composite score. The important lesson, as you noticed above, is how it will impact your composite score now (we discuss it in detail in the section “A short note on ACT composite scores” a little later in this article).

Time to drill down to the finer details.

Enhanced ACT tips for the English section

The English section of the Enhanced ACT feels very similar to the legacy ACT in terms of question style and grammar concepts. Most questions still focus on grammar, sentence structure, clarity, and rhetorical skills, but the shorter timing means pacing matters even more.

Here are some practical Enhanced ACT English tips to improve speed and accuracy:

• Focus heavily on grammar fundamentals such as subject-verb agreement, punctuation, pronoun clarity, modifiers, and degrees of comparison
• Prioritize the clearest and most concise answer choice. On ACT English, shorter and more direct answers are often correct unless extra detail is necessary
• Read enough context before answering. Many English questions depend on the meaning and flow of the surrounding sentences, not just the underlined portion
• Watch for rhetorical skills questions involving transitions, paragraph organization, and logical flow. These continue to appear frequently in the Enhanced ACT
• Avoid overthinking difficult wording. ACT English usually rewards grammatical correctness and clarity more than stylistic complexity
• Practice pacing carefully. With 50 questions in 35 minutes, students have roughly 42 seconds per question, making this one of the fastest sections on the test. 
• Practicing inside an authentic ACT-style interface can also reduce test-day surprises. Platforms like EdisonOS mirror the official ACT online experience with built-in timers, highlighting tools, answer flagging, and the same calculator environment students use during the actual test.
• Do not spend too long on a single question. Eliminate obvious wrong answers quickly and move forward to protect overall pacing
• Treat every question seriously, including possible experimental or field-test items, since they are not clearly identified during the exam

Strong performance on Enhanced ACT English usually comes from repeated timed practice and consistent grammar review rather than memorizing complicated rules.

Enhanced ACT tips for the Reading section

The Reading section in the Enhanced ACT still tests the same core skills as before, including central ideas, evidence, tone, and inference questions. However, the shorter passages and slightly adjusted pacing make the section feel more manageable for many students.

Here are some practical Enhanced ACT Reading tips to improve comprehension and timing:

• Start with the passage type you feel most comfortable with. Many students score better when they build confidence early instead of forcing themselves to follow the passage order exactly
• Use the first passage strategically. Avoid spending too much time on difficult questions early in the section, since pacing problems often begin there
• Save the hardest or least comfortable passage for later if needed. This “first/last passage strategy” helps many students manage time more effectively across the section
• Focus on identifying the central idea quickly during the first read. Many Reading questions ultimately depend on understanding the author’s main argument or purpose
• Use line references carefully. ACT Reading questions are usually evidence-based, so answers are often directly supported somewhere in the passage
• Shorter passages reduce scrolling compared to the legacy ACT, but you should still avoid constantly moving back and forth through the text unnecessarily
• Use scratch paper actively. Important highlights and annotations may not carry over between questions, and digital note-taking is limited, so jotting down key ideas can help during longer passages
• Since digital annotations and highlights may not persist across questions the way students expect, practicing inside a realistic ACT interface like EdisonOS’s beforehand helps students adjust to the platform’s actual workflow and navigation behavior
• Do not overanalyze inference questions. The correct answer is usually strongly supported by the passage rather than based on outside interpretation
• Practice pacing consistently. Even with slightly more time per question, the Reading section still rewards fast comprehension and efficient decision-making

The strongest Enhanced ACT Reading preparation combines timed passage practice, active reading habits, and careful review of why incorrect answer choices are wrong.

Targeted Reading practice by passage type using EdisonOS can also help students improve pacing and comprehension more efficiently than repeating full tests every time.

Enhanced ACT tips for the Math section

The Enhanced ACT Math section has surprised many students with its question difficulty, wording changes, and pacing demands. Even though the section is shorter overall, many students felt the questions became challenging much earlier than expected.

Timing also remains a major challenge. Only about 58% of students finish the ACT Math section within the allotted time, which shows how important pacing and strategic practice still are on the Enhanced ACT.

Here are some practical Enhanced ACT Math tips to prepare more effectively:

• Strengthen conceptual understanding instead of memorizing only familiar question patterns. The Enhanced ACT appears to use broader wording and slightly less predictable problem framing than older ACT versions
• Expect more advanced statistics and data-analysis questions. Some students reported seeing concepts like regression analysis and interpretation-heavy statistics questions that were less common on the legacy ACT
• Get comfortable with different math terminology. The ACT may describe familiar concepts using less familiar phrasing, such as “systems of equations” instead of “simultaneous equations”
• Do not assume early questions will always be easy. Many students noticed the difficulty level increasing much earlier in the section than expected, sometimes within the first 5–6 questions
• Practice solving unfamiliar-looking problems calmly. Often, the underlying math concept is still familiar even if the wording feels different at first glance
• Focus heavily on Algebra, Functions, and Geometry. These remain some of the highest-frequency categories on the Enhanced ACT Math section
• Prioritize pacing during practice. With 45 questions in 50 minutes, students still need strong time management even though the section is shorter than the legacy ACT
• Avoid spending too long on one difficult question. It is often better to move forward and return later if time allows
• Use your calculator strategically, not automatically. Some questions can still be solved faster through estimation, elimination, or mental math
• Students should also practice with the same digital calculator and interface style used on the Enhanced ACT. Using realistic tools during prep helps reduce adjustment time and improves pacing confidence on test day
• Review difficult questions deeply after practice tests. Understanding why a question felt confusing is often more valuable than simply checking the correct answer

The strongest Enhanced ACT Math preparation comes from combining topic mastery with exposure to varied question styles, realistic timed practice, and consistent mistake analysis.

General feedback for the Enhanced ACT

1. The 5-minute warning pop-up is too subtle. It’s easy to miss, so we’d recommend carrying a watch and keeping an eye on it.
2. Students must click the bubble, not just the answer text, or the answer won’t register. You will think you’ve submitted the answer and move on, but the system won’t record your answer.
3. Because there are four choices instead of five, you won’t see the choice “None of the above.” That means the correct answer is always in front of you

A short note on ACT composite scores

Previously, the ACT composite score was the average of the four section scores, rounded off to the nearest whole number. The average could end in only one of four values:.00, .25, .50, or .75. So there was a 50-50 chance you'd benefit from rounding off. For example, both 25.00 and 25.25 would round off to 25, while 25.50 and 25.75 would round off to 26.

With the new ACT, the composite is still calculated by averaging the section scores, but now there are only three sections. This means the average can end in only three decimal values: .00, .33, or .66. As a result, 25.00 and 25.33 round off to 25, while only 25.66 rounds off to 26. This reduces the chance of benefiting, because only in one case out of three can you end up with a slightly higher score.

How to calculate Enhanced ACT scores

Enhanced ACT scores are calculated using the same core methodology as the traditional ACT. Each section, English, Math, and Reading, is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 based on the number of correct answers (raw score). 

Note: There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Once raw scores are converted to scaled scores, the ACT composite score is calculated by averaging the section scores and rounding to the nearest whole number. For example, if a student scores 24 in English, 26 in Math, and 25 in Reading, the composite score would be 25.

This scoring approach ensures consistency between the Enhanced ACT and the traditional ACT. It allows colleges to interpret scores consistently while benefiting from a shorter, more streamlined test format.
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Strategies for the Enhanced ACT

For tutors

• Continue to prep students using traditional ACT materials for English.
• Train students to recognize generic prompts and not be thrown off by minor rewording.
• Practice pattern-based logic for questions blending grammar and vocabulary.
• Keep using existing ACT prep resources and practice test. They not only provide a great reference but also fully familiarize your students with the testing interface.

For students

• Students need to read question stems carefully, as they often guide the type of answer expected (e.g., least redundant, tone).
• Emphasize flexibility and problem-solving. Blind and exclusive reliance on pattern recognition in preparation is risky.
• The removal of the fifth answer choice is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it improves your odds of getting an answer right. On the other hand, the exam system could offset the reduced choices by increased difficulty. So, prepare to see some difficult questions.
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What’s the difference between the enhanced ACT and the digital SAT?

The Enhanced ACT and the Digital SAT are both computer-based exams, but they differ in structure, pacing, and testing style.

The Enhanced ACT follows a more traditional format with fixed sections and consistent difficulty throughout the test. Students answer all questions in each section, and scores are based on overall accuracy. It emphasizes time management, reading speed, and endurance, especially in the English and Math sections.

The Digital SAT, on the other hand, uses a multistage adaptive format. Performance in the first module determines the difficulty of the second module, which can, in turn, affect scoring. The Digital SAT is shorter, emphasizes evidence-based reading and data analysis, and allows calculator use throughout the Math section.

Here’s a quick comparison:

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Are your existing ACT prep materials still valid for the Enhanced ACT?

Yes, most existing ACT prep materials are still useful for the Enhanced ACT because the core skills being tested have not fundamentally changed.

Students still need to prepare for:

• Grammar and editing skills in English
• Algebra, Functions, and Geometry in Math
• Reading comprehension and evidence-based reasoning
• Data interpretation and scientific analysis

However, relying only on older ACT materials may not be enough.

The Enhanced ACT changes:

• Section timing
• Question distribution
• Overall pacing
• Digital testing experience
• Optional Science structure
• Some question phrasing and difficulty patterns

That means older prep books and worksheets are still valuable for concept practice, but students should also practice using materials that accurately reflect the Enhanced ACT structure and timing.

This includes practicing inside an authentic ACT-style testing environment with digital timers, answer flagging, highlighting tools, and ACT-style calculator workflows rather than relying only on static worksheets or older paper-only materials.

This is especially important for:

• Math pacing
• Digital navigation
• Reading passage length
• Updated section timing
• Newer question wording styles

Students using only legacy ACT practice tests may develop pacing habits that do not fully match the Enhanced ACT experience.

The best preparation approach is usually a combination of:

• Strong foundational ACT content review
• Updated Enhanced ACT practice tests
• Realistic timed practice
• Detailed performance analytics and mistake review

Platforms like EdisonOS provide free ACT online practice tests that mirror the updated format, timing, calculator tools, and testing interface more accurately than many older prep resources.
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ACT composite score: how Science affects your number

One of the biggest changes in the Enhanced ACT is how the composite score is calculated.

Under the legacy ACT, the composite score included:

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science

Under the Enhanced ACT, the composite score is now based only on:

• English
• Math
• Reading

The Science section no longer affects your composite ACT score directly.

If you choose to take the Science section:

• You will still receive a separate Science score
• The score will appear on your score report
• But it will not be factored into your overall composite score

For some students, this can be a major advantage.

Students whose Science scores were consistently lower than their English, Math, and Reading scores may now see stronger composite scores under the Enhanced ACT structure.

However, students should not assume Science is completely irrelevant.

Some colleges, especially competitive or STEM-focused programs, may still:

• Recommend Science scores
• Consider them during admissions review
• Use them as additional academic context

That is why many tutors still recommend taking the Science section at least once, especially if:

• You are applying to selective colleges
• You are interested in STEM majors
• You perform reasonably well in Science already

The biggest takeaway is that the Science section is now less important for your composite score than it was under the legacy ACT, but it can still matter strategically depending on your college list and academic goals.

Also read: ACT Scoring Chart
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Should I take both the ACT and the SAT?

Most students do not need to take both exams. Since colleges accept either the ACT or the SAT equally, it’s usually better to focus on the test that best matches your strengths.

Some students do choose to try both exams once to see which format feels more comfortable. If you perform significantly better on one test, you can then focus your preparation entirely on that exam.

When deciding between the Enhanced ACT and the Digital SAT, consider:

• Time pressure: Whether you perform better with strict pacing (Enhanced ACT) or a slightly shorter, more flexible format (Digital SAT).
• Reading style: If you’re comfortable with longer passages and sustained reading versus shorter, evidence-focused questions.
• Math preferences: Whether you prefer traditional problem-solving across a full section or calculator-supported, data-driven math throughout.
• Test format comfort: Whether you perform better on fixed-format exams (Enhanced ACT) or adaptive tests where difficulty adjusts based on performance (Digital SAT).
• Preparation focus: Choosing one test and preparing strategically is usually more effective than splitting time and effort across both exams.

Conclusion

EdisonOS is the comprehensive ACT test prep platform.  Large test prep firms choose EdisonOS because it saves 20-30 tutor hours per week on ACT test prep operations.

Stop having tutors manually build every practice test, EdisonOS provides Build Your Own Tests (BYOT) that takes 15 minutes instead of hours, bulk upload for instant question library creation, question analytics showing peer performance and difficulty percentages, and automated parental reporting that keeps families informed without admin work. 

EdisonOS helps large test prep companies compete with free alternatives like Khan Academy. EdisonOS provides accurate score predictions, question-level analytics with timing and peer data, week-over-week progress tracking, and authentic College Board digital interfaces. 

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