Be ACT Ready! - Madison Metropolitan School District

WHY Take the ACT?

Standardized testing isn't most people's idea of fun—quite the opposite, actually. Why take the ACT, then? And is it a better choice than the SAT?

Standardized test scores are an important part of college admissions, but they also have value beyond that: taking the ACT can earn you tens of thousands of dollars in financial aid/scholarships, assist with higher level college course placements, or help you get a job!

Research shows up to 60% of scholarships require an SAT or ACT score to be submitted as part of the application process.

FAQs

You may have heard that the ACT has changed for 2026 and beyond– and you may have questions about what is actually happening. This section will provide you with the latest information, as well as links to find out more!

What has changed with the ACT?

What is new on the Enhanced ACT?

The tests have a reduced number of questions.
There is a shortened test time.
There is more time per question.
The Mathematics section now has 4 answer choices instead of 5.

What is staying the same?

ACT Scale and Benchmarks remain unchanged.
Prior test scores will remain unchanged.
No impact on predicting First-Year college success.
Accommodations and supports must be applied for by January 28, 2026.

Learn more about the new ACT Test changes

What will the MMSD test day on March 10th look like?

Will the composite score change?

Do I have a choice to take the older version of the test?

Have there been changes to prohibited items?

Will students need to prepare differently for the test?

Be ACT Ready

What is New/Different

While the core content and subject areas remain the same, the New Enhanced ACT has several changes.

Shorter test: 44 fewer questions
More time: More time per question
Mathematics: Math section has 4 answer choices instead of 5

Testing Format

Fewer Questions

Shorter reading passages

Scoring & Composite Score

The composite score will be a number between 1 - 36. However, it will be calculated only from the Reading, Mathematics and English tests.

With the inclusion of Science and Writing tests, each student will also have a STEM score as well as an ELA score.

ACT Scoring

2025-26 Initial Score Release Dates

Test Date	Score Release
12/13/25	12/30/25
2/14/26	3/3/26
4/11/26	4/21/26
6/13/26	6/23/26
7/11/26	7/21/26

Learn more about When ACT Scores Come Out

Composite Score

Retaking Test

Tips for Taking the ACT

Each multiple-choice section contains
questions with four answers from which you are to choose the correct or best answer.

Review some commons tips below for preparing and taking the test.

Strategies to help you prepare

Get familiar with the content of the
sections.
Review the information in this document. Note which content areas make up a large proportion of the sections. The topics included in each content area are examples of possible topics; they do not include all possibilities.

Update your knowledge and skills in the content areas.
Review content areas that you have studied but that are not fresh in your mind. Refresh your knowledge in the content areas that make up large portions of the test.

Study content areas you are not familiar with.
If some content areas of the ACT are unfamiliar to you, consider taking coursework in those areas before you take the test.

Tips for multiple-choice sections

Pace yourself

It is important that you have enough time to read the passages/questions and figure out your responses. For each section, subtract the number of minutes you estimate you will spend skimming the passages or reading the information provided, then divide the total number of remaining minutes allowed by the number of questions to determine the estimated time you should spend on each question. If possible, spend less time on each question and use the remaining time allowed for a section to review your work and return to the questions in that section that were most difficult for you.

The time limits set for each section give nearly everyone enough time to finish all the questions.

Review your work

If there is time left after you have answered every question in a section, go back and check your work. You will not be allowed to go back to any other section or mark responses to a section after time has been called in that section.

When testing on an answer document

Be precise in choosing your responses.

If you are taking the ACT on paper, make sure that you properly select the desired answer on your answer document. Marks on your answer
document that extend beyond the intended oval may be scored as incorrect.

Erase completely.

If you want to change a multiple choice answer on paper, make sure you erase completely. Do not cross out answers or use correction fluid or tape; you must erase. Smudges or unintended marks may cause errors in scoring.

General test taking tips by section

English

Check the surrounding passage: If you are asked to replace a section within a passage, check if the idea within the replacement fits the concepts shared in the passage. Select the answer that fits best after checking the grammar and usage. Try reading a few sentences both before and after to make sure it flows smoothly.
Eliminate wordiness: Check the answers to see if any of them include concepts already included within the passage, or that add unneeded details that don't contribute to the overall message. If the answer adds wordiness, don't select it! Choose the response that follows the usage rules you know and conveys the clearest message.

Math

Back solving: If you're presented with a question that allows you to back solve, start by selecting an answer from the option listed with a value in the middle. Plug in the value and solve the question. From there, you should know if you need a smaller or larger value, or if it works out to be the correct answer.
Estimation: If you need to do some quick math, it may be easiest to round numbers listed in the question to the nearest whole or even number. For example, 60.5 might become 60 and 78 might become 80. This should help you solve the question quicker and get you close to the correct answer.

Reading

Refer to the passage: Even if the topic of the passage seems complex, everything you need to answer the questions is included in the passage itself. So, there's no need to worry about not understanding the topic beforehand. The reading section measures your ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple sources. Pay attention to the relationships between ideas and refer to the passages when answering the questions.

Resources

ACT.org has a variety of helpful resources to help with anything from free practice test to guidance of how to register. Check out some of those resources in addition to talking with your school counselors.

Elevate Your ACT Score with Methodize

Methodize can help you achieve your best score!

This innovative online learning platform offers a self-paced ACT prep course designed to boost your knowledge and test-taking skills. With expert-led video lessons, practice tests, and personalized feedback, Methodize empowers you to learn at your own pace and conquer the ACT. On average, students who've used Methodize have seen a 3-point increase in their scores. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your full potential. Visit Methodize today to start your journey to ACT success!

Did you know that your ACT score can unlock a world of opportunities beyond college admissions? A higher score can net you millions of dollars in scholarships, allowing you to pursue your dream school without breaking the bank. Plus, a strong ACT performance can help you skip introductory college courses, saving you time and money. And that's not all! A good ACT score can even open doors to local apprenticeships and high-paying jobs. So, let's make the most of this chance to shape your future. Here is more information about Methodize and how to log in today to this FREE resource (link).

Free ACT Practice & Prep

Talk with Your Counselor

Test Day

The test is scheduled to take place on March 10th.

This will be an in-person day for Grade 11 students, students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will have an "asynchronous" instructional day.

Report on Time

For National test dates, you must report to your assigned test center by the time stated on your admission ticket (usually 8:00 a.m.). If you are late, you will not be admitted to test.
If your ticket does not list a specific test room, the test staff or posted signs will direct you. If you are unfamiliar with the test center, you should allow extra time and try to arrive early to prevent the possibility of being late.

In the Test Room

Test staff will direct you to a seat. If you need a left-handed desk, tell the staff as you enter.
Do not leave the test room after you have been admitted.
Only pencils, erasers, a permitted calculator, your watch (if brought to the test center), and your paper ticket will be allowed on your desk. If you are testing on computer, you may be provided with scratch paper.
You will be required to put all other personal belongings away.
Reporting time for the test will be 8:00 a.m. Testing will begin as soon as all examinees who are present at 8:00 a.m. are checked in and seated.
Listen carefully to all directions read by the test staff.
It is important that you follow all directions carefully.
ACT estimates that if you are taking the English, mathematics and reading sections you will be dismissed between 11 and 11:15 a.m.; if you add either science or writing, you will be dismissed between 12:00 and 12:15 p.m.; and if you add both science and writing, you will be dismissed between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m.

After Testing

Voiding Your Test on Test Day

If you have to leave the test center before completing all sections, you must decide whether you want your test scored and then inform the test staff of your decision. If you do not inform the staff, your test will be scored.

If you do not complete all your sections and want to test again, you will need to re-register and pay for a new test date. Once you access test content, you cannot request a Test Date Change.

Testing More Than Once

ACT will calculate and report a superscore for students who have taken the ACT test more than once. This gives colleges the option to use the student’s best scores from all test administrations, rather than scores from just one sitting, in their admission and scholarship decisions.

For information about superscoring, see www.act.org/the-act/superscore. For more information about retaking the ACT, see www.act.org/the-act/retaking.

Testing More Than Once in the Same
Administration

You may not receive scores from more than one test taken during a scheduled National or International test date. For example, you may test on Saturday, on an authorized non- Saturday date, or on a rescheduled test date—but not on more than one of those days on a particular test date. If you are admitted and allowed to test a second time on a particular test date, we will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be canceled without refund.

Accomodations

Scholarships

Your ACT score can increase your chances of earning scholarships that can fuel your future and help
with college costs. Even schools that are test optional may still require or recommend an ACT score to
qualify for merit awards.

Scholarships are available

Scholarships are available

Many schools award merit-based financial aid to students, and test scores are often an important factor in determining which students get scholarships and which don't. Even if the schools you're applying to are test-optional, they may still require test scores for financial aid. Because financial aid packages are often worth tens of thousands of dollars, it's well worth your time to take the ACT, even if it's not technically required.