10 ACT Myths Debunked for the 2026 Test

Many popular ACT rules are now wrong or were never true. In 2026, the Composite uses required English, Math and Reading; Science and Writing are optional. Wrong answers receive no penalty, section-only retesting is not currently available, and online testing still happens at an authorized center—not from your bedroom. Here are ten claims to remove from your plan.

Myth 1: Science is still part of every ACT Composite

Fact: The current Composite is the rounded average of English, Math and Reading. Science is optional and reported on its own; when taken, it also combines with Math for a STEM score. A college or STEM program may still care about Science, so “not in the Composite” does not mean “never useful.”

Verify the current structure on ACT's Understanding Your Scores page.

Myth 2: You lose points for wrong answers

Fact: ACT scores begin with the number answered correctly. ACT states there is no penalty for an incorrect answer. If time is expiring, enter an answer for every remaining multiple-choice question; leaving it blank cannot earn credit.

This does not make blind guessing a primary strategy. Eliminating one or more choices improves the decision, and pacing practice should reduce the number of last-second guesses.

Myth 3: “Online ACT” means you can test at home

Fact: National online testing is administered in an authorized setting under test security. You select an available format and center during registration. At-home practice is not the official test.

If you register for Bring Your Own Device at an eligible center, ACT's test-day checklist says to bring a fully charged compatible laptop and charger after completing setup instructions.

Myth 4: The SAT is accepted but the ACT is not

Fact: Institutions publish their own standardized-testing requirements and identify accepted exams. Do not infer a preference from classmates or geography. Read each official admissions page for your entry year.

Makon's ACT complete guide explains the exam; compare it with your destinations rather than treating acceptance as a rumor.

Myth 5: You can retake only your lowest ACT section

Fact: ACT's current retesting guide says section-only retesting is not available. A new attempt includes all required sections.

You can focus preparation on Math, for example, but still must protect English and Reading during the next full attempt. See Makon's retake rules.

Myth 6: There is a fixed limit of three ACT attempts

Fact: ACT says there is no attempt limit. It also says students average two to three attempts to achieve their goals. Those are different statements.

Unlimited attempts do not make attempt seven valuable. Later retests show diminishing average gains, and a score that arrives after a deadline has no application value.

Myth 7: Every college automatically uses your superscore

Fact: ACT creates a superscore for eligible repeat testers, but each recipient chooses its policy. Under the current calculation, the superscore averages your best English, Math and Reading scores. Verify whether the college accepts it, whether self-reporting is allowed, and what official report it later requires.

Myth 8: Any calculator is allowed on ACT Math

Fact: ACT maintains a calculator policy with prohibited models and features. Computer algebra systems are prohibited, as are devices such as phones and tablets used as calculators. Some models are allowed only after prohibited programs or documents are removed.

Check ACT's current calculator policy, then practice with the exact permitted calculator you will bring. Makon's ACT calculator-policy guide summarizes the checklist.

Myth 9: A 36 guarantees admission

Fact: A 36 is the maximum Composite and exceptional evidence. It does not replace grades, course rigor, recommendations, activities or essays, and it cannot guarantee a decision at a selective college.

Once you have a 36, retesting cannot create a 37. Move the hours to the rest of the application.

Myth 10: Test optional means the ACT never matters

Fact: “Test optional” describes one admission policy. Scores may still matter for scholarships, honors, selective programs or placement. Applicant types can also have different rules.

For each destination, check admission, merit aid, honors and intended-major pages separately. Makon's guide Does the ACT Still Matter? provides a worksheet.

Three claims that require extra caution

Claim	Why it is unreliable
“One raw question always equals one scale point”	Raw-to-scale conversion depends on the form and section
“Take the test in this month because it is easier”	ACT equates forms so scores retain comparable meaning
“A prep company guarantees +5”	Individual results vary; ACT's typical retest gain is much smaller

ACT's Technical Manual explains equating, scale scores and retesting research. Use the scoring key from the exact practice form rather than a universal conversion chart.

Makon action: Audit your current plan for these ten myths. Every remaining rule should have either an ACT source or a named college/program source with the entry year. Delete advice whose source is “someone said.”

Frequently asked questions

Is the ACT easier now that it is shorter?

Shorter does not automatically mean easier. The blueprint, time per question and Composite calculation changed, while ACT maintains the 1–36 reporting scales. Prepare with current-format materials.

Is guessing C always best?

No fixed letter is more valuable. If you cannot solve a final question, choose an answer rather than leaving it blank; before that point, eliminate choices using the problem.

Do colleges know if I used accommodations?

ACT states that approved accommodations are not indicated on score reports sent to colleges.