Quick Answer
Many students preparing for the enhanced ACT wonder whether they should take the ACT Science section or skip the optional add-on.
For many students in 2026, skipping the ACT science section is the right call. The science score no longer factors into your composite, and the majority of colleges do not require it. At schools that do not review it, taking science adds cost and fatigue with no admissions benefit.
The decision comes down to three situations:
- A school on your verified list requires ACT science → take it
- Your college list is not yet finalised → consider taking it to keep options open
- No school on your list requires it → skip it and invest that time in your composite
ACT Science Section Is Now Optional
For over 60 years, the ACT included Science as a required section, averaged into the composite alongside English, Math, and Reading.
That changed in 2025. According to ACT’s official Enhanced ACT page, the science section became optional for digital test-takers in April 2025 and for paper test-takers in September 2025. School-day testing transitions to the new format in spring 2026, though timelines vary by district.
Because ACT science is now optional, students must decide whether the section is worth the extra time and preparation. On the Enhanced ACT format, the composite averages only English, Math, and Reading. Science is scored separately.
| Option | Sections | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
ACT only |
English, Math, Reading |
None |
ACT with Science |
+ Science |
$4 |
ACT with Writing |
+ Writing |
$25 |
ACT with Science and Writing |
+ both |
$29 |
The core test runs approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Adding science brings it to approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. If you also include the optional Writing section, the total testing time increases to about 3 hours and 25 minutes. See our guide on ACT timing and pacing for a full section-by-section breakdown.
Does ACT Science Affect Your Composite Score?
According to ACT, on the Enhanced ACT format the composite is based solely on English, Math, and Reading. The science section is scored separately on a 1–36 scale and does not change your composite.
If you take science, two additional scores appear on your report:
- Science score (1–36): Reported separately. Visible to colleges that receive your report, but not part of the composite.
- STEM score (1–36): The average of your Math and Science scores. Only generated if you take the science section. Most colleges do not factor it into standard admissions decisions, but some merit scholarship programmes may consider it.
Not sure what a strong ACT composite score looks like for your target schools? Our guide on what is a good ACT score covers score ranges and what they mean for admissions.
Which Colleges Require ACT Science in 2026?
This is the most important question, and the answer has shifted considerably since science became optional.
Colleges that require the ACT Science section
- As of March 2026, Boston University’s admissions credentials page states: “BU will only accept ACT scores which include the Science subsection.” If you submit ACT scores to BU, they must include science.
- Georgetown University’s admissions page states: “Georgetown only considers the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections of the ACT in our review process.” Science must be included if you submit ACT scores.
- The U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy generally expect full ACT score reports including the science section. Confirm directly with each academy’s admissions office before registering.
Science not required but potentially helpful
According to Johns Hopkins University’s admissions page, the optional science and writing sections “aren’t required, but they can add value to your application, especially if they highlight your strengths.”
Science section may help STEM applicants
Duke University, Carnegie Mellon, and Caltech have been cited by several organizations as viewing the section positively for STEM applicants. As of March 2026, their official admissions pages do not list an explicit science requirement, so students should verify directly if any of these schools are on their list.
For all other schools, the majority of colleges (including the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, most liberal arts colleges, and most large public universities) do not require ACT science as of March 2026.
If you are applying to test-optional schools, our guide on test-optional admissions covers what that means for your application.
Do You Actually Need to Know Scientific Concepts for the ACT?
According to ACT’s official science test description, the section tests data interpretation, experimental reasoning, and analytical thinking. Every question is based on information provided in the passage. You do not need to recall the periodic table or specific biological processes.
That said, a basic familiarity with scientific reasoning (how experiments work, how to read a graph, what a hypothesis is) does help students work more efficiently. Students with AP or IB science experience tend to do well, not because of facts, but because those courses build the reasoning habits the section rewards.
What is the ACT Science Format?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
Questions |
40 multiple-choice |
Time |
40 minutes (1 minute per question) |
Passages |
6–7 passages per test |
Topics |
Biology, chemistry, physics, Earth and space sciences |
Calculator |
Not permitted |
The ACT science section uses three main passage types:
- Data Representation (charts and graphs)
- Research Summaries (experiment design and results)
- Conflicting Viewpoints (two scientists with opposing explanations)
Most students find Conflicting Viewpoints the hardest because it rewards careful reading more than science knowledge.
Should You Take ACT With or Without Science?
Take it if
- A school on your verified list requires it
- Your college list is not yet finalised
- You are applying to competitive STEM programmes and a strong science score adds validation
- You want the STEM score considered for merit scholarships or honours programmes
- Johns Hopkins, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, or Caltech is on your list and you score well on science in practice
Skip it if
- No school on your finalised list requires or reviews it
- Your prep window is short and your composite needs work
- You are already stretched across weak core sections
For most students, the composite is what colleges see and what scholarships weigh. Invest your prep time there first. If you are not sure where your composite currently stands, a free ACT diagnostic is the right starting point.
Final Word
The ACT science section made sense as a requirement when all four scores averaged into the composite. For most students in 2026, that is no longer the case.
Check your college list first. If no school requires science, skip it. Invest every prep hour in English, Math, and Reading, the three sections that determine your composite and your scholarship eligibility.
Once you know where your ACT composite stands, the decision about taking science becomes much clearer. Start with a free ACT diagnostic, then build your prep plan with our guide on making a study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. On the Enhanced ACT format, the composite is based solely on English, Math, and Reading. Science is scored separately and does not affect the composite in any direction.
Yes, for most students. It became optional for digital test-takers in April 2025 and paper test-takers in September 2025. However, a small number of colleges still require it. Always verify each target school’s policy directly before registering.
Based on official admissions pages verified in March 2026, Boston University and Georgetown University require it from students submitting ACT scores. The U.S. Naval and Air Force Academies generally expect full ACT reports including science. Johns Hopkins does not require it but notes it can add value. Always verify on each school’s official page.
Not in the way most students expect. The section tests data interpretation and analytical reasoning, not memorized content. All information needed is provided in the passage. Basic familiarity with scientific reasoning helps, but it is not a content knowledge test.
Yes. The average ACT science score has historically been around 20–21, so a 27 is well above average. Students targeting selective STEM programmes should aim for 30 or above. Check the middle-50% science score range for each school on your list.
