The 2025 Enhanced ACT Explained
Written by: Eric Kim, Founder of Matter
Updated:
June 18, 2026
Introduction
As of the national transition in September 2025, the ACT Science section is optional, and the Composite score is now the average of English, Math, and Reading only. ACT calls the redesigned test the “enhanced ACT.”
This is Matter’s parent guide to what changed, what it means for your child, and when it took effect. The ACT is published by ACT Inc.. For the full orientation, start at our ACT Resource Hub.
What changed with the enhanced ACT
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)
The enhanced ACT at a glance
Is the Science section optional?
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)
How the Composite changed
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)
A shorter, streamlined test
When the changes took effect
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)
What it means for your child
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)
Common questions about the enhanced ACT
The ISEE consists of three to five sections, depending on the level:
Primary 2 (grade 2)
Auditory Comprehension
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Primary 3 & 4 (grades 3–4):
Reading
Mathematics
Writing Sample (unscored but sent to schools)
Lower (grades 5-6) / Middle (grades 7-8) / Upper (grades 9-12) Level
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics Achievement
Essay (unscored but sent to schools)