Is ACT Science Optional in 2026? How to Decide Whether You Should Take It

Yes: Science is optional on the current national ACT

The enhanced ACT has three required multiple-choice sections: English, Math and Reading. Science is a 40-minute, 40-question optional add-on. Writing is also optional. ACT calculates the current Composite from English, Math and Reading, so taking or skipping Science does not change the formula used for the Composite score.

If you take Science, ACT reports a Science section score and a STEM score. That can be useful information for students who want an additional science-reasoning result, but it does not mean every college or every STEM program requires the section.

What changed from older ACT advice?

Older prep articles often describe Science as one of four sections used in the Composite. That description applies to the legacy calculation and should not be copied into a 2026 plan. ACT moved national testing to the enhanced Composite based on English, Math and Reading, and Science became optional. When reading older forums or books, check the date before applying advice to a current registration.

Should you take ACT Science? Use evidence, not a blanket rule

There is no responsible one-word answer for every student. ACT explicitly says whether colleges require Science for general or program-specific admission is an institution-specific decision. Build your choice from the policies that actually apply to you.

Reason 1: a target program explicitly asks for or values Science

Check the admissions pages for your intended colleges, honors programs and scholarships. If a program states a current Science requirement or preference, that is stronger evidence than a generic blog recommendation. Save the policy URL and the date you checked it because testing policies can change.

Reason 2: you want a reported Science and STEM score

Students who take Science receive a Science score and a STEM score on reports. If those measures help you present or evaluate your academic profile, the optional section can have a clear purpose even though it is outside the Composite formula.

Reason 3: the extra 40 minutes is a poor tradeoff for your goals

If none of your target programs uses the Science result and adding the section would create a meaningful preparation or stamina cost, skipping it may be reasonable. That is a planning judgment, not an admissions guarantee. Verify each recipient's policy before deciding.

What ACT Science actually measures

ACT describes Science as a test of interpretation, analysis, reasoning and problem-solving in biology, chemistry, and Earth and space sciences. Treat it as evidence reasoning, not a contest to memorize every high-school science fact. You will work with graphs, tables, experimental setups, trends and competing explanations.

A four-step Science decision worksheet

1. List recipients. Write every college, program and scholarship that could receive your ACT score.
2. Check current policy. Record whether Science is required, recommended, considered or not mentioned.
3. Take a diagnostic. Use an official current-format Science sample and record accuracy, pacing and fatigue.
4. Make a purpose-based choice. Add Science only when the result or preparation has a clear benefit for your plan.

If you take Science: prepare for reasoning speed

Practice locating variables, units, comparison groups and trends before doing calculations. For data displays, say the relationship in a short sentence before answering: for example, “as temperature rises, measured output falls after the midpoint.” For experiments, identify what is changed, what is measured and what is controlled. For conflicting viewpoints, keep each claim and its evidence separate.

Use timed sets after your untimed accuracy improves. Forty questions in 40 minutes creates a different pacing problem from English, Math or Reading, so practice scanning figures and passages efficiently instead of reading every line at the same speed.

If you skip Science: do not waste the saved time

Reallocate preparation to the three sections that form the Composite. Use a diagnostic to decide whether English editing, Math problem solving or Reading evidence work produces the largest return. Skipping an optional section only helps if the time is used deliberately.

What about Writing?

Writing is a separate optional 40-minute essay and also does not enter the Composite. Check the same institution-specific policies before adding it. Do not assume a Science decision automatically answers the Writing decision.

2026 ACT Science FAQ

Does skipping Science lower my Composite?

No. Under the enhanced ACT, the Composite is calculated from English, Math and Reading.

Do I get a STEM score if I skip Science?

ACT states that students who elect Science receive a Science section score and a STEM score. If you need a STEM score, take Science.

Do all STEM majors require ACT Science?

No universal rule applies. ACT says the decision is institution-specific. Check each college or program.

Can I decide on test day not to take Science?

ACT's test-day guidance says students who decide not to take an optional test they registered for should tell staff so they can be dismissed at the appropriate time; ACT also says there is no refund for the optional test in that situation.

For the September administration, see the September 19 ACT test-day checklist. For section-by-section preparation, use the 2026 ACT practice plan.