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ACT Science Subtest Optional & Superscore Logic Updates | March 2025
ACT Science Subtest Optional & Superscore Logic Updates | March 2025
Michael Stephenson avatar
Written by Michael Stephenson
Updated over a week ago

Released: March 27, 2025

Overview Header

We’ve updated Element451 to align with ACT’s recent scoring changes, including support for the now-optional Science subtest. We also updated superscore calculations for both ACT and SAT to ensure accurate composite scoring and to match updated testing and industry standards.

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ACT

As of April 2025, the ACT Science subtest is no longer required. ACT now reports composite scores as either ERM (English, Reading, Math) or ERMS (English, Reading, Math, Science).

  • New Indication for Composite Scores

    • ACT Composite Scores will now indicate if the Composite includes the Science Subtest or not. Users will not need to enter this data, we'll calculate this for each score based on subscores entered.

  • New Filter Option

    • Introduced a “includes science” filter for Segments and Import + Export.

  • ACT Superscore Logic Update

    • If Science is included: (Highest English + Highest Math + Highest Reading + Highest Science) / 4

    • If Science is excluded: (Highest English + Highest Math + Highest Reading) / 3

    • Superscore will not be generated if English, Math, or Reading scores are missing.

  • Migration

    • Existing ACT superscores will be recalculated using the updated logic and are scheduled to be completed by EOD March 31st.

SAT

  • SAT Superscore Logic Update

    • Corrected Calculation: Now uses the College Board’s official method: Add highest Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math scores.

    • Missing Components: Superscore will not be generated if either component is missing.

  • Migration

    • Existing SAT superscores (for tests taken after 2016) will be recalculated using the corrected logic with the migration scheduled to be completed by EOD March 31st.

Benefit Header

These updates reflect the latest ACT format and standardize superscore calculations across both ACT and SAT.

For more information on evaluations and how superscores are calculated, refer to our help article on evaluations.

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