Shorter, Smarter, Stronger: Updates to the Mastery College Prep Assessment Match the New ACT

[ChrisNguyen]

Staying in Step with the ACT for the Most Authentic Assessment Experience 

Preparing for college admissions has always been a high-stakes journey, and the ACT remains a key milestone for students aiming to showcase their academic readiness. That’s where the Mastery College Prep Assessments come in. Designed to effectively prepare students for the ACT, these assessments are carefully constructed to predict performance accurately and provide a truly authentic testing experience.

Our assessment team continuously monitors changes to the ACT and updates the Mastery College Prep Assessments accordingly so they stay closely aligned. Every shift in format, scoring, or content is reflected in what students see, ensuring predictive validity and making practice as real as possible. The result: educators can trust the data, students can build confidence, and districts can support stronger outcomes with assessments that evolve right alongside the ACT.

 

What’s New for the 2025-2026 School Year 

The ACT has most recently introduced enhancements designed to improve the assessment experience for students, with changes designed to reduce pressure, give students more control, and deliver a calmer, more focused testing experience - without sacrificing the rigor colleges expect. 

To ensure the Mastery College Prep Assessments remain an authentic, predictive preparation tool, we’ve aligned them with these same updates. That means districts can be confident that students are practicing on assessments that truly mirror the ACT experience - helping them build confidence, reduce fatigue, and focus on the skills that matter most for college readiness. Here’s what’s new: 

What’s Changing	What’s Staying the Same	How This Helps Students
44 fewer questions overall	English, Reading, Science, and Math are still assessed, with an optional writing section	Less testing fatigue and a more focused experience
Math items reduced to 4 answer choices	Consistent coverage across subjects	Easier decision-making and reduced fatigue
Clearer instructions in English	Same skills and knowledge assessed	More confidence with additional guidance
Composite score excludes science	Core ACT scale and skills remain	Scoring mirrors the ACT and provides accurate prediction of student success

 

Science That Adds Value

Although the ACT made science optional, the Mastery View College Prep Assessment retains this section because of the unique benefits it provides. A strong science score can highlight STEM potential, give students another opportunity to showcase strengths, and offer districts added flexibility. Since science is not included in the composite score, students still receive an accurate ACT prediction while gaining valuable insights into their science skills and knowledge—helping them make informed decisions about whether to take the science section on the ACT.

 

Why These Updates Matter

The ACT’s goal with its recent enhancements is clear: give students more time, more focus, and more confidence in showcasing their strengths. By aligning the Mastery College Prep Assessments to these changes, we’re ensuring students get those same benefits as they practice and prepare for this high-stakes assessment. 

For districts, these updates mean the assessment data remains predictive, authentic, and actionable. Because our team continuously monitors ACT updates and quickly incorporates them, educators can trust that their students are preparing with an assessment that closely mirrors the test.

Ultimately, the Mastery College Prep Assessments keep doing what they were designed to do: reduce pressure, increase confidence, and provide a reliable predictor of ACT success - all while giving districts the tools they need to support every student’s college readiness journey.