While having dinner, my high school nephew casually mentioned that the ACT no longer requires a science section, asking if that means he could take the ACT instead of the SAT.

For a moment, I was taken aback. Back in my day, the science passages filled with graphs and experimental tables were the scariest part of the ACT. However, I had to keep my cool as an uncle, so I opened my laptop and looked it up together with him.

To get straight to the point, he was correct. The ACT has changed its format, making the science section optional.

The new format will be applied to online tests starting in April 2025 and to paper tests starting in September 2025. The school day tests taken in groups will gradually transition to the new format starting in the spring of 2026.

The biggest change is in how the composite score is calculated. Now, the composite score will only include English, math, and reading.

While a separate score will still be given for science, it will not be included in the composite score. The scoring scale remains the same, from 1 to 36.

The length of the test has also been significantly reduced. Previously, there were 215 questions including science, but now there are only 171 questions even if you take the science section.

If you skip science, there are 131 questions. English has 50 questions in 35 minutes, math has 45 questions in 50 minutes, and reading has 36 questions in 40 minutes, totaling 2 hours and 5 minutes without breaks.

If you choose to take the science section, an additional 40 questions will be added, taking 40 minutes. This is good news for students with shorter attention spans.

According to ACT, the length of the test can be reduced by up to one-third depending on the version taken. The test that used to feel exhausting all day has become much lighter.

So, what about the SAT? The digital SAT has never included a science section.

It consists of 54 questions in reading and writing, 44 questions in math, totaling 98 questions, with a test duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It uses an adaptive format where the difficulty of the next module changes based on the scores from the previous module.

Looking at the numbers, the time is almost similar. The difference lies in the pace.

When I broke it down, I found that ACT English allows about 42 seconds per question, while SAT reading and writing take about 70 seconds each. For math, ACT takes about 1 minute and 7 seconds per question, while SAT takes about 1 minute and 35 seconds.

This means the ACT is still a faster-paced test. If a student is quick and not easily stressed, the ACT might be a better fit.

On the other hand, if a student needs to ponder each question to feel comfortable, the SAT might be less stressful. My nephew, who takes after me and tends to be impatient, seems to lean towards the ACT.

However, we need to pause and consider whether it's okay to skip the science section. Each college has its own stance on this.

Many colleges do not require a science score. However, some colleges may ask for the science score if you submit the ACT or recommend it for engineering and science applicants.

When I looked into it, I found that even for the same school, different websites had conflicting information. Therefore, it's best to check the admissions page of the school you are applying to rather than relying solely on tutoring blogs.

It's also worth noting the super scoring policy. You can mix the highest scores from subjects taken under the old format with the new super scoring method.

However, ACT will not retroactively recalculate your previous composite scores. If your score was affected by science in the past, it might be better to retake the test under the new format.

Registration fees increase slightly each year, so check the official site right before registering. The fee may vary depending on whether you include the science section.

For low-income families, both tests offer fee waivers. You can ask your school counselor if you qualify.

Here are the criteria I've summarized: If you are aiming for a STEM field and are comfortable reading science passages, take the ACT with the science section.

If you are in the humanities or arts and are confident in your speed, you can take the ACT without science for a lighter experience. If a student tends to make mistakes under time pressure, the SAT might be a better option.

The best approach is to take official practice tests for both. Comparing the scores will quickly show which one is more advantageous.

It's important to time yourself and complete the practice tests in one go, just like the actual exam. Taking breaks in between can obscure the differences in speed.

You can practice for the SAT using the College Board's Bluebook app, and the ACT also has practice materials available on its official site. Utilizing all available free resources is the best way to prepare.

I've decided to take two practice tests with my nephew this weekend. I plan to work on a few math problems alongside him.

Honestly, it might be a bit embarrassing if I get some wrong, but that's okay. We can just laugh and try again.

If I were in his shoes and not aiming for a STEM field, I would try the ACT without the science section first. Reducing the number of tests means a little more breathing room for the student.

Whenever college admissions come up, both parents and students tend to sigh, but having more options is a good thing. Today, I managed to get through it with a calculator instead of tears.