Design Framework for the ACT Enhancements

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry or company Core Insights - The ACT enhancements aim to improve college and career readiness for students while maintaining the validity and predictive value of the test [10][15] - The enhanced ACT will feature a shorter format, with a total testing time of 125 minutes compared to the legacy ACT's 175 minutes, allowing for more time per question [12][33] - The science section will become optional starting in April 2025, allowing students to choose whether to include it in their Composite score [11][54] - The overall number of questions has been reduced, and the test will now include embedded field-test items that do not count toward scores, enhancing the testing experience [12][36] - The enhancements are based on stakeholder feedback and evidence collected through various studies, ensuring alignment with college readiness standards [17][63] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report outlines the enhancements made to the ACT test, focusing on changes to both the test structure and content to better meet the needs of students and stakeholders [15][16] Chapter 1: Identifying Potential Areas for Revision - The chapter discusses the rationale behind potential enhancements, including testing time, student choice, and accessibility [59][60] Chapter 2: Panels and Revisions - This chapter details the feedback process from expert panels and the revisions made to the initial blueprints based on their input [62] Chapter 3: Validity Evidence - The chapter presents evidence supporting the validity of the enhanced ACT, focusing on alignment with state content standards and cognitive processes of test-takers [63][64] Chapter 4: Psychometric Evidence - This chapter summarizes psychometric studies that validate the enhanced ACT's reliability and comparability with the legacy ACT [66][68]