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The New ACT Roadmap

Strategic testing timelines for sophomores and juniors

Posted on by Lisa Mayo
student preparing new ACT testing timeline

Juniors in the Class of 2026 may be starting to think about the ACT. If you haven’t heard, the ACT will undergo significant changes in 2025 — and those changes will roll out over a few months. So, how can you navigate this shift and plan your ACT testing timeline strategically? Below, our experts lay out a few options.

Recommended timeline for juniors:

While the new, digital exam will roll out in April 2025, we recommend that students stick with the current paper version of the ACT at least through July. The paper version will not change until September of 2025, so this testing plan allows you to prep using existing, abundant ACT materials and avoid any glitches that may accompany early administrations of the new exam. Here is a suggested testing timeline:

  • Now-February/April 2025: Start or continue prep for the paper exam. 
  • February/April 2025: Plan to take a paper version of the ACT. Either February or April (or both) may make make the most sense for you, depending on where you are in your prep.
  • Summer 2025: Plan to take another paper version of the ACT in June and/or July (though note that the July ACT is not available in New York).
  • Fall 2025: If needed, continue prep and take a final exam in September or October. At that point, the paper ACT will also change, and the digital ACT will be more well established. Additionally, ACT will have released more practice material, so you may want to explore whether you test better the digital or paper format. We can help make that determination!

If you’re eager to check out the new, digital shortened ACT earlier, we can help you prepare! It’s just not our recommendation.  Ideally, we suggest focusing on getting to the point at which you’re happy with your score on the current ACT or SAT. Then, if you’re really itching to do so, take the new ACT as an extra option–not as a test on which you’re truly depending on getting the scores you need.

That said, if you truly hit a plateau on multiple current ACTs or SATs, you may also wish to try out the new ACT.

Recommended timeline for sophomores: 

Sophomore year is a great time to get an early start on test prep! If you’re leaning towards taking the ACT, here’s what we recommend:

  • April 2025: Take your first diagnostic ACT in the new, shortened format. If you’re really hankering to start earlier, you may take a full paper ACT diagnostic, and then pivot to the new, shortened ACT later. However, keep in mind that your testing experience will be different on the two exams.
  • Summer 2025: Continue prep with the goal of taking your first real ACT in Fall 2025.

BONUS: Stick with the SAT

Remember that the ACT isn’t the only player out there! For some students, the digital SAT, which is now a known quantity, will be the better move. Students can start at the time that makes the most sense to them.

We are here to guide you through the changes in the test prep landscape this year and every year! Contact us for more information and to discuss your child’s best plan.

Lisa Mayo