Should you take the digital or paper ACT?

The digital and paper ACT test the same content, use the same 1 to 36 scale, and are scored the same way, so neither one is easier. The right choice comes down to your personal comfort and a few practical differences. Colleges do not know or care which format you took, so pick whichever helps you do your best work on test day.

What is actually the same

Before you stress over the choice, know that the important things do not change between formats:

• The questions, content, and difficulty.
• The 1 to 36 scoring scale and how your Composite is calculated.
• The timing and number of questions in each section.
• No penalty for wrong answers, so you should still answer everything.

Reasons to consider digital

• Faster scores. Digital test scores generally become available sooner than paper scores. If you are racing an application deadline, that can matter. See how long ACT scores take to come back.
• Built-in tools. The digital test includes on-screen features like a timer, the ability to flag questions to revisit, and tools to help you focus on one line or answer at a time.
• Typing the essay. If you take the optional Writing test online, you type your essay instead of handwriting it, which many students find faster and easier to revise.
• You are comfortable reading and working on a screen for a couple of hours.

Reasons to consider paper

• You like to annotate. Underlining text, marking up passages, and scribbling math work directly on the page comes naturally to some students.
• Less screen fatigue. If long stretches of screen time tire your eyes, paper may feel more comfortable.
• It matches how you practiced. If all your practice has been on paper, test day will feel more familiar.

The deciding factor: practice in your format

Whichever you choose, do your realistic, timed practice in that same format. If you plan to test on a computer, take practice tests on a screen so the tools and the reading experience feel routine. If you are going paper, practice on paper. Our roundup of free ACT practice tests is a good place to start, and how to review ACT practice tests shows you how to turn each one into real gains.

What about the essay and Science?

Both formats keep Science and Writing optional. If you are deciding on those, read which colleges still want an ACT Science score and should you take the ACT Writing section. And if the whole redesign is new to you, what changed on the enhanced ACT gives you the full picture.

The bottom line

There is no secretly easier version. Choose the format that fits how you read, write, and focus best, then practice in that format so nothing feels surprising on test day.

This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.