For decades, students who wanted to take the ACT had to sharpen their #2 pencils, open up a paper test, and bubble in their responses. However, that's started to change!
In December 2023, the ACT launched a pilot test of a new digital ACT. Then, in early 2024, access to the digital ACT expanded so that more students in the US can choose between the online and paper versions of the ACT. (Note: all students abroad must take the online version of the ACT.) Currently, all students in the US have the option to take the online ACT or the paper ACT.
How do the paper and digital ACT differ? Which version of the ACT should you take? What are the pros and cons of each version of the test? We answer all these questions in this expert guide!
How Do the Paper and Digital ACT Differ?
Since February 2024, anyone in the US can choose between the paper and online versions of the ACT. If you select “Computer” during your ACT registration, you'll be able to see test centers that offer the online ACT test. Additionally, If you sign up for the paper ACT and want to switch to the digital ACT (or vice versa), you can do this up until the late registration deadline (although you'll need to pay a $44 change fee).
It's important to note that neither version of the exam has harder questions; both the paper ACT and digital ACT ask the same kinds of questions on the same content. Here are other similarities between the two versions of the test:
- Both have the same format and length*
- Both cost the same ($69 with no Writing, $94 with the optional Writing section)
- Both have four answer choices for multiple-choice questions
- Both allow you to use scratch paper
- Both allow you to bring an approved calculator to use on ACT Math
- Both accept fee waivers
- Both allow for testing accommodations
*The digital and paper ACT will temporarily have different formats beginning in spring 2025; see the next section for more information.
Besides the obvious (one is a paper and pencil test and the other is taken on the computer), how do the two versions of the ACT differ?
Taking the paper ACT will be a familiar experience for most students, since it follows the same basic procedures as other standardized tests. The proctor will explain the instructions and inform you when each section is complete and you need to move onto the next section. Everyone in the room will start and finish each section at the same time. Once the exam begins, you'll have a paper booklet that contains all the test questions, and you'll bubble in your answers on your answer sheet. You'll be given scratch paper to use throughout the exam, and you can use an approved calculator to complete the ACT Math section.
If you sign up for the digital ACT, you'll arrive at the testing center where you'll be assigned a seat with a computer or laptop. The testing center will provide the device you'll take the test on; you can't take the ACT on your own laptop or other electronic device. (This is in contrast to the digital SAT, which is typically taken on an electronic device of your own that you bring to the testing center.) Currently, the digital ACT can only be taken on Chromebooks and Windows desktops and laptops, but there are plans to expand to other platforms, such as Apple devices, in the future. There will still be a supervisor overseeing the room, but you'll go through the exam largely on your own, reading the instructions on the computer and moving onto the next section when time runs out. Because the digital ACT is individually timed, the other people around you may be starting and finishing their sections at slightly different times.
Here's what a typical question on the digital ACT looks like:
In this example, the passage is on the left side of the screen, and the question and answer choices are on the right. To select an answer choice, simply click the circle next to it (you can always change your answer later if you change your mind). The top of the screen shows you which question number you are on in that section to help you keep track. As with the paper ACT, you can skip questions and come back to them later.
Throughout the entire digital ACT, you'll also have a timer and several helpful tools you can use as you take the test. These tools can be found on the header of the screen. There are five tools you can have access to:
- A magnifier to zoom in or out on certain parts of the problem or question
- A highlighter to select specific parts of the text or passage
- A line reader to home in on specific lines in the text or passage
- An answer eliminator to cross out clearly incorrect answer choices
- Answer masking to focus on a specific answer choice and eliminate distractions
2025 ACT Exam Changes
As we mentioned above, currently, the digital ACT is the same exact test as the paper ACT: they have the same sections, number of questions, time limits, and scoring system. However, in July 2024, the CEO of the ACT announced that students can expect significant ACT changes beginning in spring 2025. First, more locations will offer the online ACT so more students will be able to take it. Other changes include:
- The ACT Science section will be optional for all students
- Experimental questions, which do not count toward students’ scores, will be included in each test section (you won't know which questions are experimental)
- Most sections will have fewer questions
- The entire test will take just over 2 hours to complete instead of 3 hours
These changes will first impact the digital ACT, beginning in Spring 2025. There's no official word on when these changes will be made to the paper ACT, but our best estimate is that it'll be sometime around Fall 2025. So, for at least a few months, the two versions of the ACT will have different lengths and question types.
This is important because it may impact which version of the test you decide to take. Right now, with so little information about the new version of the ACT available, it can be hard to know which version of the test you'll prefer. However, if you hate long tests and/or the ACT Science section, you may prefer the new version. This means, if you take the ACT between Spring 2025 and (roughly) Fall 2025, you'll want to take the digital version, since this is the version of the ACT that'll be updated first.
We expect a lot more information about these changes to come out in the coming months, and we'll update this article as more details become available.
Should You Take the Digital or Paper ACT?
Which version of the ACT should you take, digital or paper? First, know that this decision should be solely based on your preferences; colleges won't care which version you took. Take into account your testing preferences, especially if you'll be taking the ACT between Spring and Fall 2025, when the digital and paper versions of the test will have significant differences. Below are pros and cons of each version to help you make your decision.
Pros of Taking the Digital ACT
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It'll have the exact same format and look as online practice tests. The online timed and untimed practice tests offered by ACT use the same user interface as the actual test, so you'll know exactly how the test will look before exam day.
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It has more accessibility functions, including screen readers, text-to-speech, zoom, and answer masking. This can make this version of the ACT easier for students who need these accommodations.
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Special digital tools make it easy to keep track of things as you test. With the online ACT, you’ll get access to a highlighter, a magnifier, a line reader, a timer, an answer eliminator, and an answer-masking function.
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No worrying about writing or erasing. Everything is done on the computer, so no writing out your essay (if you're taking ACT Writing) or worrying about erasing mistakes on your answer booklet. Just click on a different answer choice or backspace a word in your essay!
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(For those taking the ACT between Spring and Fall 2025) If you prefer the idea of a shorter test and/or an optional Science section, the digital version of the ACT may be a better fit for you.
Cons of Taking the Digital ACT
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You may need to travel farther to find a test center. ACT Inc. is working on expanding access to the online ACT, but, for many students, there are currently no test centers near them that offer the online ACT, so they'd need to travel farther, sometimes over 60 miles one way, if they want to take it.
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The online format can take some getting used to. The majority of tests you take in high school are given on paper, so if you’re not used to digital tests, you might not feel comfortable taking such a high-stakes exam on the computer.
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You might not like the individual timing. Some students prefer a testing environment where everyone starts and stops at the same time, as directed by the proctor. With the digital ACT, the digital program will control the timing and when you start/finish each section, which means people around you may be finishing and starting new sections at different times than you.
Pros of Taking the Paper ACT
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There are many more practice tests and materials geared toward the paper ACT. Besides the six official practice test PDFs you can download for free, most test-prep companies and ACT prep books offer practice tests in a paper format. Practice ACTs are key to your ACT prep, so having more to use can be a big benefit.
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There are currently many more testing locations that offer the paper ACT. This is expected to change in the coming years as the digital ACT becomes more widespread, but, currently, you may not even have the option to take the digital ACT if there are no testing centers close to you that offer it.
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You're probably more used to a paper format. The vast majority of the standardized tests you've taken were probably done with pencil and paper. By now, you know the drill and may feel more comfortable with the paper version of the ACT instead of the digital version.
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You may prefer to write directly in your test booklet to circle information, underline sentences, cross out answer choices, etc. While the tools in the digital ACT allow you to do things like highlight passages and cross out incorrect answer choices, you might find it easier and less time-consuming to do all these things with a pencil rather than having to click back and forth to toggle a specific tool you want to use.
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(For those taking the ACT between Spring and Fall 2025) If you've already done a lot of prep for the ACT and/or are especially confident on the Science section, you may prefer to take the paper test during this time and not the revamped digital test.
Cons of Taking the Paper ACT
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It can be harder to keep track of timing. While the digital ACT has a countdown clock running through the entire exam so you know exactly how many minutes you have left, with the paper ACT, you'll have to rely on a clock in the room or the proctor letting you know how much time you have left.
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You're relying solely on the calculator you bring. For ACT Math, the digital ACT has an onscreen calculator you can use, but if you take the paper ACT, you'll need to make sure you bring an approved calculator and that it has enough battery to last through the section because, if it dies, you're out of luck.
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If you choose to take ACT Writing, you'll have to write out your entire essay by hand. If you’re worried about hand cramps or messy handwriting, then the ACT Writing section might pose a problem for you with the paper ACT.
Summary: Should You Take the Digital or Paper ACT?
Is the ACT digital or on paper? Actually, as of 2024, it's both! All students in the US can choose whether to take the ACT on a computer or with the traditional pencil and paper. Having more options is great, but it does mean you'll need to make a choice about which version of the exam to take. Colleges don't have a preference, so you should base your decision on which format you feel more comfortable with/score higher on. Study the pros and cons of the digital and paper ACT so you can make the best decision for you and feel confident on test day.
What's Next?
Ready to start studying for the ACT now? Our ultimate ACT study guide will help you build the right skills to make your best score.
Haven't scheduled your test date yet? Find out the best ACT date for you!
If you're ready to take your ACT prep to the next level, check out these 18 tips and tricks you need to know.
