Update: Optional ACT Science Section and Score Reporting

In our most recent comprehensive blog post about the SAT vs. the ACT, we outlined the major differences between the tests – and a big one has always been the ACT’s Science section (with no equivalent for the SAT). So, the ACT announcement earlier this year that the Science section would become optional starting April 2025 was really big news!

This development, while welcome to many, has also caused some confusion. If your student has already taken the ACT with Science, or is considering it, here’s more information about how the change impacts current score reporting and what students can do to present their strongest testing profile.

First, to repeat: the ACT no longer requires that all testers take the Science section

This means that ACT-takers can more actively manage their own testing processes, from preparation to the actual day of the exam. Students who forgo the Science section, for example, can focus on prepping for just the English, Math, and Reading sections. Not surprisingly, opting out of the Science section means that the test itself will be shorter on test day!

At this point, Science section requirements vary widely from one college to the next 

Many colleges now say that the ACT science section is optional or that they do not consider the section, while a good number of schools have confusingly not stated their policy at all! It is therefore a great idea to become familiar with the testing requirements of schools of interest as early in a student’s testing process as possible to avoid closing any doors prematurely.

This truly is an ever-evolving situation, and we’re monitoring it closely!

Many colleges allow students to “self-report” scores, offering more control over what is shared

Over the past few years, self-reporting has become the norm in college admissions. This means that instead of sending official score reports for either the SAT or ACT (which costs money), students list their own test scores when they fill out their applications.

Here’s the key advantage to self-reporting: you can choose which sections and test dates to include. So, if your student has already taken the ACT with Science but prefers not to have that section considered, they can simply leave Science off when self-reporting. When colleges later require an official score report for admitted students, they will only verify the scores the student self-reported.

Some colleges still require official score reports “up front”, though

A short list of colleges still requires official ACT score reports as part of the application itself. When that’s the case, students can’t omit sections when sending scores. It may be possible, however, to reach out to the college’s admissions office and ask for the Science section to be “suppressed” or ignored in review, if desired.  

Each college handles this slightly differently, so students should consult their college advisor about the best way forward.

The bottom line

It’s always best to double-check the testing policy on the website for each college on a student’s list and discuss a score submission plan with a college advisor. The goal is to make sure your student’s testing record reflects their best work and that unnecessary sections don’t get in the way of a strong application.

If your student is trying to decide between the ACT and SAT, we strongly encourage taking a full-length Mock Test. As always, we’re happy to answer your questions about standardized testing, so just give us a shout!