The Enhanced ACT vs the Digital SAT

Enhanced ACT vs Digital SAT

by Team Prepped | January 22, 2026

With college admission cycles becoming increasingly competitive, today’s high school students are constantly seeking ways of standing out from the pack. And while a number of colleges no longer require standardized testing, scoring well on the ACT or SAT can offer teens a valuable edge. Fortunately, recent changes to the SAT and the ACT have made both tests shorter and more accessible than ever. At Prepped and Polished, we have more than two decades of experience in tutoring and test preparation, along with a passion for helping students achieve their educational goals. Keep reading to learn more about the Enhanced ACT and Digital SAT and discover which testing option will work best for you.

Get to Know the Enhanced ACT

As of 2025, college hopefuls have the option of taking the ACT Education Corp’s new Enhanced ACT. A shorter exam that affords students more time per question, the Enhanced ACT offers a more focused test-taking experience. The goal is to reduce the pressure and fatigue students feel while helping them stay calm and motivated.

What’s the Same

• Because the Enhanced ACT evaluates the same basic skills and knowledge range as the old test, colleges still view it as a useful tool for assessing applicants. Most of the core content and subject areas remain unchanged in the revised exam. Additionally, the scoring is the same, with students receiving a comprehensive test score between 1 and 36. The ACT will continue to offer superscoring, which is calculated using students’ best individual section scores from different test dates. Superscores allow students to showcase their knowledge and talent, enabling them to put their best foot forward when applying to schools.

What’s New

• The reduced number of questions and shorter time frame can make the Enhanced ACT feel more manageable. With 75 fewer minutes and 44 fewer questions in the main part of the exam, which consists of Math, Reading, and English, students will likely experience less mental fatigue during testing. As a result, they can focus on answering questions to the best of their abilities. Shorter reading passages also help to minimize testing time and promote success.
• Along with shortening the main part of the exam, the ACT has made the Science and Writing Sections optional. Students can choose whether or not to sit for these parts of the test based on their educational goals and personal strengths. It’s worth noting, however, that some colleges still require these sections. Additionally, aspiring STEM majors may choose to take the Science exam to boost their application desirability.
• Additionally, students will benefit from fewer answer choices in the Math Section. While the old ACT provided five answer choices, the Enhanced ACT lists only four. The benefit is less decision fatigue and a greater chance of choosing the correct response.

Get to Know the Digital SAT

College hopefuls also have the option of taking the new SAT. Fully digital since March 2024, the SAT makes use of adaptive technology. The end result is that students can expect a shorter test-taking experience that also reduces the likelihood that they’ll feel either bored or overwhelmed in the process.

What’s the Same

• Because the new Digital SAT evaluates the same skills and abilities as the pencil-and-paper exam, many colleges continue to place a high value on applicants’ scores. According to the College Board, the test still measures students’ abilities in Reading, Writing, and Math and scores them on a 1600-point scale. In other words, earning a given score on the traditional exam is directly comparable to earning the same score digitally.

What’s New

• Because the new SAT is entirely digital, students will use a laptop or tablet to sit for the test. It’s worth noting that testing centers may be able to provide devices for students who don’t have their own. You can request a device on the College Board site when registering for the Digital SAT.
• Individuals can expect to have slightly different test-taking experiences based on how they perform. Because the test is now adaptive, students who answer first-module questions correctly will encounter more challenging questions in the second module. This testing technique opens the door for high-performing students to receive the best possible scores.
• Finally, the new SAT includes changes to the Reading and Math sections to reduce testing time and boost overall performance. You can expect to see shorter reading passages rather than a few longer blocks of text. Additionally, students are now allowed to use a calculator for the entire Math Section. The digital testing application has a built-in calculator called Bluebook for this purpose.

Ultimately, both the Enhanced ACT and the Digital SAT offer positives and negatives. Taking a timed practice exam for each test is the best way to decide which standardized testing option is right for you. If you need further advice or want help boosting your exam scores, don’t hesitate to contact Prepped and Polished for support.