The ACT Just Got Shorter. Here's What It Means for Your Teen

The ACT is about to look a lot different, and if you have a high schooler, this change could save them hours of stress—and potentially thousands in tutoring costs. Starting in September 2025, the ACT will officially shrink from three hours to roughly two. The science section, long a staple of the exam, becomes optional. And students will get more flexibility in how they take the test. It's the biggest overhaul to the college entrance exam in decades, and it's sparking a wave of questions from parents who've already budgeted for test prep, tutors, and repeated retakes. Here's the money angle nobody's talking about yet: a shorter, more flexible ACT could cut the cost of getting a competitive score. The Old ACT Was a Money Pit The full ACT costs $68 without the writing section, or $93 with it. Sounds manageable, right? Not so fast. Most students take it two or three times hoping for a higher score. Add in a private tutor at $60 to $150 per hour, a prep course at $300 to $1,000, and practice materials, and the real bill often lands between $1,500 and $3,000 per student. Families chasing merit scholarships feel this pain most. A single point increase on the composite score can unlock institutional aid worth tens of thousands over four years. So parents keep paying. What's Actually Changing The science section becomes optional, which matters because it's historically been the toughest section for students who aren't natural science whizzes. The reading and English sections get shorter. And the test will be offered in more formats, including online options, giving students a chance to pick what suits them. The composite score will still be calculated from English, math, and reading. Science and writing will be reported separately. Translation: your teen can now play to their strengths. A strong math and English student no longer has to grind through science prep just to protect their composite. Why This Could Save You Real Money Fewer sections means less tutoring. A student who once needed 20 hours of science-focused prep might now need 10 hours of general prep. At $100 an hour, that's $1,000 back in your pocket. The shorter test also means less test-day fatigue. Students who bombed the science section purely because they were exhausted by hour three may now score closer to their actual ability—on the first try. That's one fewer retake, one fewer registration fee, one fewer weekend sacrificed. Colleges, Not the ACT, Still Call the Shots Here's the catch: many colleges still require or recommend the science section. Before you celebrate, check the admissions requirements at your teen's target schools. If they're aiming for competitive engineering or pre-med programs, the science score may still matter. Some schools have already said they'll accept the new format without science, but policies are shifting month to month. Also worth noting: the SAT isn't sitting still. The College Board has been adapting too, and the two tests now look more alike than ever. If your student already prepped for one, switching may not be worth the hassle. What Parents Should Do Right Now First, don't panic-buy a new prep course. Second, ask your teen's school counselor which colleges on their list actually require the science section. Third, if your student is a junior, consider waiting until fall 2025 to test under the new format—especially if science was their weak spot. Finally, remember that a growing number of colleges are test-optional. If the numbers aren't cooperating, that's a legitimate path worth exploring. Our Take The ACT's makeover is long overdue, and for once, the change tilts in families' favor. A shorter test with fewer mandatory sections means less prep, less money, and less anxiety for the millions of students who take it every year. Just don't assume colleges will follow along quietly—verify the requirements before you write a single tuition check.