The ACT's decision to exclude Science from the Composite score, effective for national online testing in April 2025 and the National Saturday paper test in September 2025, has fundamentally altered the strategic calculus for college-bound students. Under the enhanced ACT, the Composite is now based solely on English, mathematics, and reading, while Science remains a separate section that no longer contributes to the overall score. This shift means that students who previously relied on Science to boost their Composite have lost that advantage, while those who struggled with Science no longer see that weakness drag down their score. According to Michael Romano, founder of the online ACT test prep service Mr. Test Prep, families who made their SAT versus ACT decision under the old scoring model should reconsider their choice.
The implications extend beyond a simple score recalculation. Pacing differences between the two tests and among ACT sections add another layer of complexity. The ACT English section requires answering 50 questions in 35 minutes, while Reading demands 36 questions in 40 minutes. For students who are accurate but deliberate, these time pressures can produce dramatically different results than their knowledge alone might suggest. As Romano notes, "Two students can know the same material and produce dramatically different scores." This variability underscores why a data-driven approach to test selection matters more than ever, and why guessing at the answer can cost families both time and money.
To address this, Mr. Test Prep offers a free two-hour trial session that includes a full diagnostic test and a direct SAT versus ACT recommendation. The session is conducted online via Zoom for students in Palo Alto, the Bay Area, and beyond. After the diagnostic, Romano holds a call with the parent and student to review results, discuss which tests to take and when, set prep frequency and target scores, and ultimately provide a written proposal. Families can book the free session by phone at +1 (650) 575-5867 or through the Mr. Test Prep website.
The preparation itself, delivered through the Mr. Test Prep Method™, covers content, question logic, and pacing across two-hour Zoom sessions. A-Game Access™ further addresses performance under time pressure through four components: A-Game, The Nine, the A-Game Cue, and Smile Into the Action. The system does not promise perfect performances, eliminate nervousness, or guarantee outcomes, but it is built on Romano's extensive experience. A Duke University graduate with a major in Psychology, Romano has worked with students since 1997 and has taught more than 4,000 SAT, ACT, and PSAT students.
The change to the ACT Composite is not merely a technical adjustment; it reshapes which students benefit from which test. A student whose relative weakness was in Science previously carried that weakness into the Composite, but now does not. Conversely, a student who leaned on Science to lift their Composite has lost that lift, a consequence that has received less attention. Because none of these dynamics appear on a transcript, Romano argues that measuring a student's performance under timed conditions is far more reliable than guessing. The free trial session, therefore, serves as a low-stakes way to gather the data needed for an informed decision, ensuring that families do not base a critical choice on outdated assumptions about how the ACT works.
