Initial Evidence Supporting Interpretations of Scores from the Enhanced ACT Test

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The enhanced ACT test is designed to better meet the needs of students, allowing for a more tailored testing experience that highlights their strengths and potential [4][6] - The enhanced ACT test includes changes such as a shorter format and more time per question, which aims to improve student performance on test day [2][5] - Evidence supports the interpretation of scores from the enhanced ACT as measures of high school academic achievement and college readiness, which can inform college admissions and academic support decisions [7][20] Summary by Sections Test Design and Specifications - The enhanced ACT includes multiple-choice tests in English, math, reading, and science, with a total of 142 scored items compared to 215 in the legacy ACT [5][6] - The time allowed for the enhanced ACT is also adjusted, providing more time per question [2][5] Reliability and Validity - Reliability coefficients for the enhanced ACT are expected to be slightly lower than those of the legacy ACT due to the reduced number of items [10][14] - The correlations of enhanced ACT scores with high school grades and prior ACT scores are anticipated to be slightly lower than those of the legacy ACT, but still comparable [20][24] Predictive Validity - Predictive validity evidence for the enhanced ACT is not yet available, but historical data suggests that correlations with college outcomes may be slightly lower than those from the legacy ACT [29][33] - The report emphasizes the need for further analysis based on actual postsecondary outcomes for students who take the enhanced ACT [33][34] Comparability of Scores - The report examines the implications of changes in Composite score calculations, specifically the removal of the science score starting in April 2025, and its impact on interpretations for various user groups [42][43] - Comparisons of scores with and without science indicate that the normative interpretations of Composite scores may change, affecting college applicant pools [42][46]