The upcoming 2025-2026 school year marks the first time in the ACT’s history that the test will no longer give students an option of a physical test, opting for all tests to be taken online starting in January.
Along with the ACT exclusive being held online, changes to the math and reading sections will be put in place as well. Math questions will no longer have five choices, moving to four choices per question just like the rest of the sections. Reading sections will also see changes, as the amount of questions will be reduced, and questions will be more focused on comprehension and analysis.
“I think a lot of the changes are there to make this a better experience for students, I think to align with student ability,’’ Dean of Students Robert Hutchinson said. “It’s like any change is going to be hard for a little bit to know how do you compare apples to oranges? Because as much as it’s still the ACT, it’s now a different version of the test.”
Senior Bobby Dolan took the ACT Online along with Evan Wehmuler in March of ‘25.
“I didn’t think it was too bad,” Dolan said. “It was obviously different from the other standardized tests I’ve taken before, but it didn’t mess up my performance at all.”
Possibly the biggest change that will come to the test is the changes to the science section. Before the ACT required students to take the science section, but coming in 2026, the science section will now be optional and students will not be required to take it in order to finish the test.
“As much as you might have the option [to take the science section] colleges are still going to say we want the science section,” Said Hutchinson, “So while you have a choice, my guess is the schools that De Smet students will be applying to are going to say you need to take it.”
A concern Hutchison holds is that the ACT will now only be accessible to those with a laptop. Luckily, De Smet students all have access to their own laptops, but what will schools do who don’t all have access to their own laptops?
“How can a school handle however many students they have,” Hutchison said. “The school might have a computer lab for 50 students, but how will they handle having 500 students in the building?”
Hutchinson believes that the schools students will be more prepared and ready for the switch to online because the school has already made efforts to adapt and get ready for the future with many classes having online quizzes and tests.
“Spartan’s always demonstrate their best, and they should continue to do so that they can take advantage of opportunities that are out there,” Hutchison said. “Whether those are financial scholarships or those are opening doors to schools that will give them their best friends and you know future careers.”
