Online ACT test prep tutor puts the recommendation inside a free session rather than behind a paid program



PALO ALTO, CA, October 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Science no longer counts toward the ACT Composite. That single change alters which students the ACT favors, and Mr. Test Prep, the online ACT test prep service founded by Michael Romano, is telling families that a decision made on the old math deserves a second look. The company's free two-hour trial session includes a diagnostic and a direct SAT vs. ACT recommendation. Sessions are held online, for students in Palo Alto, the Bay Area and beyond.

What ACT changed

ACT states that starting September 2025, all ACT tests use the enhanced Composite score based only on English, math and reading. Science remains a section. It is no longer a Composite component. The enhanced ACT became available for national online testing in April 2025 and for the ACT National Saturday paper test in September 2025.

Current structure: English, 50 questions in 35 minutes. Mathematics, 45 questions in 50 minutes. Reading, 36 questions in 40 minutes. Science, 40 questions in 40 minutes.

Why the comparison reopens

A student whose relative weakness sat in science used to carry that weakness into the Composite. Now they do not. The reverse also holds, and it gets less attention: a student who leaned on science to lift a Composite has lost that lift.

Pacing is the second variable, and it differs sharply between the two tests and between ACT sections. English asks 50 questions in 35 minutes. Reading asks 36 in 40. For a student who is accurate but deliberate, those are not the same test. None of this shows up on a transcript.

"Two students can know the same material and produce dramatically different scores." — Michael Romano, Mr. Test Prep

Romano's position is that guessing at the answer costs a family more than measuring it, which is why the recommendation sits in a free session rather than behind a paid program.

How the preparation works

The Mr. Test Prep Method™ covers content, question logic and pacing across two-hour Zoom sessions. A-Game Access™ covers performance under time pressure through four components: A-Game, The Nine, the A-Game Cue, and Smile Into the Action. The system does not promise perfect performances, does not eliminate nervousness and does not guarantee outcomes.

Romano graduated from Duke University in '91 with a major in Psychology, has worked with students since 1997, and has taught more than 4,000 SAT, ACT and PSAT students.

The free two-hour trial session

Free, two hours, diagnostic test included. Afterward Romano holds a Zoom call with parent and student covering diagnostic results, which tests to take and when, prep frequency and target scores, then emails a written proposal. Book by phone at +1 (650) 575-5867 or through the Mr. Test Prep website.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ACT science section optional? As of September 2025 the ACT Composite is based only on English, math and reading. Science is a separate section and does not count toward the Composite.

How many questions are on the enhanced ACT? English 50 in 35 minutes, mathematics 45 in 50 minutes, reading 36 in 40 minutes, science 40 in 40 minutes.

When did the enhanced ACT take effect? National online testing as of April 2025; the ACT National Saturday paper test as of September 2025.

Should my student take the SAT or the ACT? It depends on how they perform on each under timed conditions. The free two-hour trial session includes a diagnostic and a direct recommendation.

Does Mr. Test Prep offer online ACT tutoring? Yes. Sessions are held online, for students in Palo Alto, the Bay Area and beyond.

Who is the tutor? Michael Romano, known as Mr. Test Prep, working with students since 1997.

What does the trial cost? Nothing.

How do I book? Phone +1 (650) 575-5867 or use the Mr. Test Prep website.

Mr. Test Prep has been an educational consultant for over 26 years. One of his strategies is to increase his student's self-confidence thereby Elevating More Than A Score!

Read the original story here: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/539754/the-act-changed-what-counts-toward-the-composite-and-mr-test-prep-says-families-should-re-run-the-sat-vs-act-decision

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