Digital ACT® vs. Paper ACT®: What You Need to Know Before Test Day

In the ever-evolving landscape of standardized testing, SAT® and ACT® prep tutors must stay up-to-date with the latest changes. This December, ACT will pilot their first digital ACT® in the US. Let’s break down what is changing and what is staying the same so that our ACT® test takers can better prepare for the new digital ACT®.

For starters, the national ACT® in December 2023 is a pilot test that will only be administered to a selected 5,000 students. ACT has yet to announce future digital ACT® test dates open to everyone but has expressed that the broader availability for the digital version should be available in 2024. Stay tuned for these future digital ACT® test date announcements!

Digital ACT®: What’s Changing?

Honestly, not much, which should come as a huge relief for our students who have been studying and prepping for the ACT®. 

  • Digital Delivery: The ACT® will be administered on a computer instead of paper. This transition from a paper-based format to a digital one requires students to be comfortable with technology, particularly the test’s on-screen tools:

    • calculator

    • highlighter

    • answer eliminator

    • line reader

    • text-to-speech

    • zoom

  • Automatic Scoring: ACT has not specified how quickly students will receive their digital ACT® score reports, but digital tests are automatically scored, which should potentially reduce the wait time compared to the paper-and-pencil version.

  • Choice: ACT is not transitioning exclusively to a fully digital ACT® format; students will still have the option of choosing the paper-and-pencil ACT®. This way, students will have the freedom to choose the format that they feel the most comfortable testing with. 

Digital ACT®: What’s Staying the Same?

All of the important factors of the ACT® will remain the same.

  • Content: The content tested on the digital ACT® will remain the same as the paper-and-pencil version. 

  • Not Adaptive: Unlike the new digital SAT®, the digital ACT® is not an adaptive test; the difficulty level of the content does not change based on performance as the test taker progresses through the exam. 

  • Scoring System: The digital ACT® and the paper-and-pencil ACT® will use the same scoring system.

  • Timing and Duration: The digital ACT® will have the same length, timing, and duration as the paper-and-pencil version.

  • Detailed Score Reports: The ACT® score reports will contain the same detailed information no matter the test format.

The transition to a digital ACT® represents a significant shift in the standardized testing landscape. To ensure our students are prepared for the next generation of standardized testing, we must equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in this new format. The best way to prepare them is to use computer-based test-prep software and materials. The more practice students have using digital format, the better prepared they will be. Familiarizing your students with online test-specific tools will help them become more comfortable using those tools on test day. Be sure to model how to make the most of these digital tools throughout their practice.

By understanding what test-takers can expect, we can help our students navigate the digital ACT® with confidence and help them achieve their best possible scores. Embracing this change and adapting our teaching methods will prepare our students for success in this new era of standardized testing.

At Clear Choice Prep, we’ve got what your test prep business needs to prepare your clients for computer-based testing. Make sure that your test prep offers the best ACT®-prep curriculum available. We offer full-length computer-based ACT® practice tests complete with comprehensive ACT® score reports. Interested? Sign up for a free demo!

For more information on what test-takers can expect from the new digital ACT®, read our related post: Are Your Students Looking to Take the Online ACT®? Know the Facts, First and also check out ACT’s Information for Examinees: State and District Testing.

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We Are Ready for the Digital SAT®! Are you?

As the SAT® and ACT® transition to all-digital testing, we are ready to support your tutoring business with the first and best custom-branded, fully digital test-prep courses. Our white-label, all-digital, adaptive Digital SAT® practice tests include accurate, algorithmic scoring. This gives your tutors and clients access to the actionable data they need for tailored instruction and score optimization.

Ready to take your test prep to the cutting edge? Schedule a free demo and try it for yourself!

Matt McCorkleACT®, Digital ACT® Test, Online ACT® Test, ACT® Prep, ACT® Test Prep, ACT News