Is science still on the ACT?
Yes, but it’s optional for national testing. The enhanced ACT has three core sections: English, math and reading. Science and writing are optional add-ons you choose when you register.
The science section has 40 questions in 40 minutes, and 34 of those questions are scored. ACT introduced the enhanced test in April 2025. Starting with tests in September 2025, the Composite score is the average of English, math and reading for all ACT testers, so science no longer changes your Composite.
What do you get if you take ACT science?
If you take science, you get two extra scores:
- A science score on the same 1–36 scale as the other sections.
- A STEM score, which is the average of your math and science scores from the same test date.
ACT includes both scores on all of your reports, including the ones sent to colleges. Science isn’t part of the superscore Composite, which uses your best English, math and reading scores.
How much does ACT science cost?
For national testing, science is a small add-on. These are ACT’s current fees as of October 4, 2026:
| Test option | Fee |
|---|---|
| English, math and reading | $70 |
| With science | $75 ($5 add-on) |
| With writing | $95 ($25 add-on) |
| With science and writing | $100 |
Each price includes score reports for you, your high school and up to four colleges if you list them when you register. You can add or remove science through the late deadline. If cost is a barrier, see our fee waiver page.
Does my school decide whether I take science?
If you take the ACT through a state or district program at school, the answer may already be set. ACT’s educator FAQ says the contract decides which sections are given. A state or district chooses whether to include science and writing, and the two aren’t bundled, so either one can be added alone. These changes reached state and district testing in spring 2026.
Ask your counselor whether your school-day ACT includes science. If it doesn’t and you need a science score, you can register for a national test date and add science yourself.
Who should take ACT science?
ACT says whether to require science is each college’s own decision. Use this table as a starting point, then check each college’s admissions page for your intended program.
| Your situation | Suggestion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A college, program or scholarship on your list asks for or recommends science | Take it | That decision belongs to the college or sponsor. Confirm the wording on its own site. |
| You’re aiming for a science, technology, engineering or math major | Lean toward taking it | You add a science score and a STEM score that show your math and science together. |
| You haven’t picked colleges yet | Consider taking it on one test date | It costs $5 and 40 minutes, and you’ll have a science score if a college asks later. |
| None of your colleges mention science and you aren’t aiming for STEM | Skipping is reasonable | Your Composite doesn’t include science, and the test is shorter without it. |
| Your practice science score is much lower than your other sections and no college asks for it | Skip it, or prepare before adding it | If you take science, the score appears on the reports you send. |
| You test through your school | Ask your counselor first | The state or district contract decides whether science is given. |
What does the ACT science section test?
ACT science is mostly about reading and reasoning with data, not memorizing facts. According to ACT’s science test description, questions follow scientific scenarios from biology, chemistry, Earth and space sciences and physics. You don’t need advanced knowledge, but some questions may use background from introductory science classes. Calculators aren’t allowed.
ACT reports three categories within science:
- Interpretation of Data, the largest category: reading tables, graphs and diagrams, spotting trends and doing simple math with the data.
- Scientific Investigation: understanding how experiments are designed, including variables and controls, and predicting the results of new trials.
- Evaluating Scientific Arguments and Models with Evidence: judging which explanation the data supports and comparing competing viewpoints.
Some questions also use engineering and design settings, where you weigh goals, limits and tradeoffs.
How do you prepare for ACT science?
Start with a timed science section from ACT’s free practice tests, which offer timed and untimed versions. Your result, compared with your other sections, will help you decide whether to add science.
If you take it, practice these habits:
- Read the figure before the text. Check titles, axis labels and units first.
- Name the variables. For each experiment, write down what changed, what was measured and what stayed the same.
- Keep moving. With 40 questions in 40 minutes, you average one minute each. ACT advises not spending too long on any one question and coming back if time allows.
- Estimate without a calculator. Practice rough arithmetic so trend and ratio questions stay quick.
For the full test layout, see our enhanced ACT format guide.
Where does Hourly Prep fit?
Hourly Prep’s free plan includes one SAT practice test, one ACT practice test and short daily practice sets for both exams. The daily sets use a test-style screen and include an explanation for every question. Premium adds an adaptive study plan, an AI tutor, 30+ ACT practice tests, 10,000+ practice problems, score estimates, no ads and study on the web.
Use ACT’s free official practice tests for timed science sections and full-length rehearsal. See how ACT prep works in Hourly Prep.
Common ACT science questions
Does ACT science count toward my Composite score?
No. Starting with tests in September 2025, the ACT Composite is the average of English, math and reading for everyone. If you take science, you get a separate science score from 1 to 36 and a STEM score.
Can I add or drop science after I register?
For national testing, ACT says you can add or remove the science add-on through the late registration deadline. Fees can change, so check ACT’s fees page when you register.
Is science part of the ACT superscore?
No. The superscore Composite uses your best English, math and reading scores. ACT uses your science score with math for the STEM score instead.
Can I use a calculator on ACT science?
No. ACT doesn’t allow calculators in the science section, so practice estimating and doing simple arithmetic by hand.