The ACT has been revamped to deliver a shorter, less stressful, and more flexible testing experience—without changing its rigor. Here’s what’s new, what stays the same, and how to best prepare.

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Key Updates to the ACT Format

1. A Shorter, Smarter Test

• The total time has been slashed—the core sections now take around 2 hours (125 minutes).

• Overall, the number of questions drops from approximately 215 to 171, giving students nearly 22% more time per question.

2. Optional Science Section

• The Science section is now optional, similar to the Writing portion.

• If taken, Science is reported separately; the composite score reflects only English, Reading, and Math.

3. Fewer Math Answer Choices

• Math questions now have 4 answer options instead of 5, matching the rest of the test format.

4. Rollout Timeline

• Spring 2025: New digital ACT format launches nationally.

• September 2025: Transition to the new format for all paper and digital ACTs.

• Spring 2026: School-day (district) testing transitions as well.

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What Remains Unchanged

• Scoring: Composite score still runs from 1–36, with superscoring available.

• Core content: English, Reading, Math (plus optional Science/Writing) remain the focus.

• Delivery options: Both paper and digital formats continue during the rollout phase.

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Side-by-Side: Old ACT vs. New ACT

Feature	Old ACT	New ACT
Test duration	~3 hrs 35 min (includes all parts)	~2 hrs (core sections)
Total questions	~215	~171 (fewer overall)
Math choices	5 options	4 options
Science section	Mandatory	Optional (composite excludes it)
Digital testing	Limited rollout previous years	Starts Spring 2025, expands nationwide
Paper testing	Standard	Continues through rollout

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How to Prepare for the Enhanced ACT

• Use updated practice materials: Make sure that any online platforms you use offer practice tests matching the new format—shortened, with updated question counts and answer choices.

• Decide on Science wisely: If target colleges require ACT Science, it’s smart to include it. Otherwise, taking it is optional. Make sure to check the requirements for any colleges you are thinking of applying to when you are in your senior year.

• Focus on accuracy: With fewer questions overall, each one matters more—precision over pace!

• Familiarize yourself with the timeline: Know when the new format is available and choose paper vs. digital accordingly.

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2025–2026 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

Here’s the official national schedule for ACT testing opportunities in 2025 and early 2026:

Test Date	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
September 6, 2025	August 1, 2025	August 19, 2025 (ACT)
October 18, 2025	September 12, 2025	September 30, 2025 (ACT)
December 13, 2025	November 7, 2025	November 24, 2025 (ACT)
February 14, 2026	January 9, 2026	January 23, 2026 (ACT)
April 11, 2026	March 6, 2026	March 24, 2026 (ACT)
June 13, 2026	May 8, 2026	May 29, 2026 (ACT)

 

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Closing Thoughts

The redesigned ACT is shorter, less burdensome, and gives students more choice—especially with optional testing sections and multiple formats. As always, accuracy and strategic prep are key. At Insight Education, we’re here to help you tailor your study timeline and approach to these changes. If you are interested in learning more about Insight’s 1:1 tutoring lesson options please click HERE. You can also click HERE to learn more about our ACT Classes.

 

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This article was written by Insight’s Co-Founder, Ajit Jain. Ajit grew up in Toronto, Canada #GOBLUEJAYS and studied engineering at the University of Toronto. He moved to the Bay Area to pursue his MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and has been here since. 

Freshman computer science applications in the United States have increased significantly over the past 20 years, driven by the field’s rising popularity, perceived career opportunities, and surging industry demand. Nationwide, flagship universities like UT-Austin now receive an estimated 12,000–15,000 freshman CS applications annually, with acceptance rates hovering around 5% in recent cycles—illustrating how CS has become one of the most competitive undergraduate majors in the country (insidehighered.com).

 

At top public CS universities, the data underscores this intensity:

• UC Berkeley (Fall 2024): Only 1.9% acceptance rate for CS applicants, and 7.4% for EECS applicants; overall engineering admissions remain equally fierce.
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• UCLA (Fall 2023): Only 3% acceptance rate for CS applicants. UCLA as a whole received 145, 910 applicants in the same admission cycle with an overall acceptance rate of 9.0%.
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• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Fall 2023): 7,212 CS applications, 7.5% acceptance rate; the interdisciplinary CS+X track sits at 18.1%.
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• Georgia Tech (Fall 2024): Estimated to be around 8%-10% for out-of-state residents and slightly higher for in-state.

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Why consider majors besides CS?

Given how competitive CS has become, many high-performing students may find greater value—and better admission chances—pursuing closely related majors. These alternatives provide strong foundations, often similar coursework, and open doors to the tech industry. Let’s explore the top contenders:

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Core Tech Alternatives: Similar Scope, Different Angle

1. Software Engineering

   • Focused on development lifecycle, quality, design patterns, and testing.

   • Curriculum overlaps heavily with CS, with added emphasis on large-scale system design and team collaboration.

2. Computer Engineering (CE)

   • Bridges hardware and software: digital systems, embedded design, architecture.

   • Ideal for those drawn to how machines function at the silicon and system level, but still want strong programming skills.

3. Electrical Engineering (EE)

   • Centers on signal processing, circuits, electronics.

   • Opens roles in hardware, IoT, robotics, and systems engineering; often includes programming and control systems.

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Math & Data Foundations: Theory, Analytics, and Insight

4. Mathematics

   • Deep dive into abstraction: logic, proofs, algorithms, combinatorics.

   • Strong route toward theoretical CS, cryptography, machine learning; highly valued in quantitative tech roles.

5. Statistics / Data Science

   • Statistics emphasizes inference and model-based reasoning; Data Science blends it with computation, data handling, and visualization.

   • Ideal for positions in analytics, data engineering, AI, or even transitioning into ML roles.

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Applied Sciences & IT: Broader Tech Application

6. Physics

   • Rigorous training in problem-solving, modeling, and numerical simulations.

   • Prepares students for technical computing, simulation software, or physics-engineering roles in tech.

7. Information Technology (IT)

   • Practical emphasis on systems administration, networking, databases, cybersecurity.

   • Direct path to infrastructure, cloud, or enterprise IT engineering roles.

8. Systems Engineering

   • Integrates hardware, software, project management, process optimization.

   • Underpins careers in large-scale systems integration, operations, and enterprise solutions.

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Interdisciplinary & Creative Tech Paths

9. Cognitive Science

   • Merges psychology, neuroscience, AI, and human–computer interaction.

   • Useful in UX/UI, human-centered AI, educational tech, and emerging brain–machine interfaces.

10. Computational Psychology

• Applies quantitative and coding skills to study human behavior and mental processes.

• Opens doors in UX research, behavioral AI, mental health technology, and cognitive modeling.

11. Design (e.g., Design Thinking, Industrial Design, HCI)

• Focus on user experience, aesthetics, prototyping, usability.

• In demand for roles in UX/UI, product design, creative-tech startups, and interaction design.

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✅ Why these alternatives still get you into technology

Alternative Major	CS Coursework Overlap	Tech Career Pathways	Additional Strength
Software Eng	High (programming + systems)	Dev jobs, agile teams	Team-based project workflows
Comp Eng	High (hardware/software)	Embedded, systems, architecture	Full-stack tech via hardware/software
EE	Medium–High (electronics + programming)	Hardware, IoT, signal processing	Device-level innovation
Mathematics	Medium (algorithms, theory)	ML, cryptography, quantitative roles	Analytical rigor
Statistics/Data Science	Medium (algorithms + models)	Data engineering, analytics, AI	Data-driven decision-making
Physics	Low–Medium (simulation, modeling)	Simulation, scientific computing	Research and physical modeling
IT	Medium (applied systems)	Network/sysadmin, cybersecurity	Enterprise tech management
Systems Engineering	Medium (integration, software)	Infrastructure, operations	Holistic, end-to-end systems
Cognitive Sci	Low–Medium (AI, HCI)	UX/UI, interface tech	Human-centric product design
Computational Psychology	Low (behavior modeling)	UX research, behavioral AI	Understanding users deeply
Design	Low (HCI overlap)	Product design, UX	Creativity and usability focus

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Guidance for students and parents

1. Evaluate your core interest

   • Love coding? Software Engineering or Computer Engineering is your twin track.

   • Fascinated by systems? Electrical Engineering/Systems or Physics might fit better.

   • Drawn to data/AI? Math or Data Science could be perfect.

2. Check CS course access

   • Many universities allow minors or electives in CS from these majors—integrating CS essentials.

3. Consider career market alignment

   • All these fields feed into tech roles; specialization can boost niche employability.

4. Admissions flexibility

   • These majors generally have higher acceptance rates, offering better entry into top-tier schools.

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Final Takeaway

Your major should align with both your curiosity and your goals. If you’re deeply driven to code and develop software, direct routes like Software Engineering or Computer Engineering may be ideal. If you’re intrigued by technology but also by data, design, human behavior, or hardware, these strong alternatives offer robust pathways into computing careers—with broad support and lesser admission hurdles.

By choosing a complementary or alternative major, you gain both a high-quality education and greater flexibility—academically and professionally. Focus on your strengths and interests, not just admission rates, and you’ll set yourself up for success in the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of technology.

 

This article was written by Insight’s Co-Founder, Ajit Jain. Ajit grew up in Toronto, Canada #GOBLUEJAYS and studied engineering at the University of Toronto. He moved to the Bay Area to pursue his MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and has been here since.