What is on the ACT in 2027?
Every ACT in 2027 is the enhanced ACT. National testing switched in 2025 and school-day testing followed in spring 2026, so there is no older version left to plan around. The core test is English, math and reading. Science and writing are add-ons.
| Section | Questions | Time | Average per question | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 minutes | About 42 seconds | Yes |
| Math | 45 | 50 minutes | About 67 seconds | Yes |
| Reading | 36 | 40 minutes | About 67 seconds | Yes |
| Science | 40 | 40 minutes | 60 seconds | Optional for national testing |
| Writing | 1 essay | 40 minutes | Optional |
The core is 131 questions in 2 hours 5 minutes of testing time. Science and writing add 40 minutes each. The per-question figures are simple division, and they show where the ACT is fastest: English gives you well under a minute per question.
Is the ACT changing in 2027?
As of October 4, 2026, ACT has not announced changes to the test’s sections, timing or 1–36 scale for 2027. Paper and online testing both continue, and online testing happens at a test center. There is no at-home ACT.
The bigger news is ownership. ETS announced on June 30, 2026 that it is acquiring ACT. ACT’s release says customers will see no disruption to current products and services in the near term. It doesn’t describe future test changes, so treat anything you read about a redesigned 2027 ACT as unconfirmed until ACT publishes it.
How is the 2027 ACT scored?
Each section is scored from 1 to 36. Your Composite is the average of English, math and reading, rounded to the nearest whole number. Science is no longer part of it.
- STEM score: the average of math and science, if you take science.
- ELA score: the average of English, reading and writing, if you take writing.
- Writing score: reported on a 2–12 scale and kept out of the Composite.
- Superscore: ACT averages your best English, math and reading scores across sittings. Tests from before and after the 2025 change can be combined.
Colleges set their own superscore policies, so check each one. Our superscoring guide covers how to decide on a retake.
Do you have to take ACT science in 2027?
If you register for a national test date, you choose. Adding science raises the fee from $70 to $75. If you take the ACT through your school or district, the school’s contract sets whether science is included, so check with your counselor before you assume you can skip it.
When can you take the ACT in 2027?
| Test date | Regular deadline | Late deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2027 | January 22 | February 9 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5 | March 23 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7 | May 25 |
| July 10, 2027 | June 4 | June 22 |
Starting in 2027, July testing is also available in New York. ACT lists projected fall 2027 dates of September 11, October 16 and December 11, and says they may change. See 2027 SAT and ACT test dates for score release timing and how to plan a retake.
How much does the ACT cost?
| Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| ACT (English, math, reading) | $70 |
| ACT with science | $75 |
| ACT with writing | $95 |
| ACT with science and writing | $100 |
Each fee includes score reports to you, your high school and up to four colleges if you list them when you register. Late registration adds $42, changes cost $49, and standby testing costs $75. Ask your counselor about an ACT fee waiver if cost is a barrier.
How should you prepare for a 2027 ACT?
- Confirm your configuration. Know whether your test includes science or writing before you plan study time.
- Take ACT’s free official practice test under real timing. It sets your baseline and shows which section runs out of time first.
- Train pace with accuracy. English rewards quick, confident editing decisions. Track how long questions take, not just whether they’re right.
- Practice in the format you’ll test in. If you choose online testing, get used to reading passages on a screen.
Our ACT study plan guide turns these steps into a week-by-week schedule.
Where does Hourly Prep fit?
Hourly Prep covers ACT English, math, reading and science in short daily sets with an explanation for every question, plus one free full ACT practice test. Premium adds an adaptive study plan, an AI tutor, 30+ ACT practice tests, 10,000+ practice problems and score estimates. You can leave science out of your plan if your test doesn’t include it.
Use official ACT practice for full-test rehearsal and short sets for the skills in between.
Common 2027 ACT questions
Is the 2027 ACT shorter than the old ACT?
Yes. The enhanced ACT has fewer questions and more time per question than the version it replaced, and the core runs 2 hours 5 minutes.
Will ETS change the ACT?
Nothing has been announced. ACT says there will be no near-term disruption to its products. Check ACT’s site before you register for a fall 2027 date.
Is the ACT adaptive?
No. The ACT is linear, so your answers don’t change which questions come next. The SAT is the test with adaptive modules.
Is the 2026 ACT guide still useful?
Yes. Our 2026 enhanced ACT guide explains what changed from the older ACT and what each section measures. This guide adds 2027 dates, fees and the ETS news.