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ACT Research Report Summary

Report: Initial Evidence Supporting Interpretations of Scores from the Enhanced ACT
Authors: Jeff Allen and Ty Cruce
Date: June 2025

Summary

This report examines the evidence supporting the interpretations of scores from the Enhanced ACT Test. The key findings are as follows:

Main Findings

1. Reliability and Validity:

   • The Enhanced ACT has slightly lower reliability than the legacy ACT due to its shorter length, but correlations with academic performance measures remain largely consistent.
   • Concurrent and predictive validity coefficients are comparable or slightly lower, but the differences are not practically significant.

2. Section Test Scores:

   • Intercorrelations among section tests (English, Math, Reading, Science) are similar in pattern for both versions, though slightly lower for the Enhanced ACT.
   • The science test had the least impact on overall validity given its smaller reduction in items and existing correlations.

3. Comparability of EMR vs. EMRS Scores:

   • Composite scores without science (EMR) are highly comparable to those with science (EMRS) in terms of predictive power and normative interpretation.
   • Most students’ scores do not differ by more than 1 point, likely due to measurement error rather than construct differences.

4. Impact of Shortening the Test:

   • The reduction in test length has minimal impact on predictive validity. Scores from the Enhanced ACT and simulated scores based on historical legacy tests show negligible differences.

5. Implications for Use:

   • Enhanced ACT scores support the same interpretations and uses as legacy ACT scores, including college admissions, scholarships, and academic support placement.

Limitations

• Predictive validity evidence is preliminary and requires additional analyses based on postsecondary outcomes for students taking the Enhanced ACT.
• The removal of science scores is set to take effect in Spring/ Fall 2025 for online/all testing formats.

Future Directions

Additional research is recommended to update the ACT/SAT concordance once sufficient data from both the Enhanced ACT and digital SAT are available.

Key Conclusion

The Enhanced ACT maintains its validity and reliability for standard uses. Most student score differences between formats are negligible, supporting continuity in interpretation and application.