Over the past week, we've heard from several students who walked out of the June Enhanced ACT feeling surprised by the Math section. If your student felt that way, they were not alone. The most common feedback we have heard is:
"The math felt much harder than the practice tests."
or
"The math had pre-calculus, and I haven't learned that yet."
Before scores are released, it's important to understand what may be happening—and why this is a challenge being faced by students, tutors, schools, and test-prep companies across the country.
The Enhanced ACT Is Still a Moving Target
The ACT's new Enhanced format is still in its infancy. Unlike previous versions of the ACT, there are currently very few official Enhanced ACT practice tests available. Every test administration provides new information about how the exam is evolving, which means students, educators, and test-preparation companies are all learning from each new test. This creates a challenge for everyone preparing students for the exam. The reality is that the ACT continues to refine and adjust the exam, making it difficult to predict exactly how future test forms will compare to the limited materials currently available.
The good news is that additional official practice tests are expected to be released throughout the year, giving students and educators more opportunities to understand the new format and prepare effectively. For Seeley Test Pros/ LEAP, as an ACT Affiliate Tutor Program, we have access to the latest test materials as they become available. We will have exclusive access to four new, recently administered ACT tests by the end of 2026.
Why Did the Math Feel More Difficult?
One of the most significant changes to the Enhanced ACT is the structure of the Math section itself. The Math section is shorter than before, but the reduction in questions does not appear to have been evenly applied across all difficulty levels. Many students report fewer straightforward questions and a greater concentration of medium-to-advanced questions throughout the section. As a result, students may encounter more challenging concepts earlier and more frequently than they expected. In previous versions of the ACT, students often built confidence by working through a series of easier questions before reaching the more difficult problems later in the section. On the Enhanced ACT math, many students report that the test feels challenging almost immediately. This does not necessarily mean students are less prepared or less capable. Rather, the structure of the exam may create the impression that the test is harder because students spend more time working through complex problems and have fewer opportunities to gain momentum from easier questions.
You're Not Alone
One encouraging observation is that students across the country are reporting similar experiences. In conversations throughout the test-preparation industry and at the National Test Prep Association's June 2026 National Conference, tutors report that many students who felt confident on official practice materials were surprised by the difficulty they encountered on test day. This suggests that what students experienced is not unique to any particular school, tutoring program, or region. Instead, it appears to be part of the broader challenge of preparing for a new and evolving exam. Every new administration helps educators gather more information about the types of questions, pacing, and content emphasis students are likely to encounter in the future.
More Time Doesn't Always Feel Easier
Families often hear that students now receive more time per question and understandably assume that the Math section should therefore feel easier. However, many students are finding that the additional time is often offset by the complexity of the questions themselves. While the Enhanced ACT provides slightly more time per math question, students frequently report spending that extra time on deeper problem-solving, multi-step reasoning, and unfamiliar question presentations. In other words, more time can be beneficial, but it does not automatically make the test feel easier.
Understanding Experimental Questions
Another factor that many families do not realize is that the ACT continues to include experimental questions as part of the testing process. These questions help the ACT evaluate future content and scoring models. Students do not know which questions are experimental while taking the test, and some of these items may feel different from what they have seen in practice materials. While these questions do not ultimately impact a student's score, they can contribute to the perception that certain portions of the exam were unexpectedly difficult.
What Should Families Do Next?
1. Order the June ACT My Answer Key
One of the most valuable tools available after the test is the ACT's My Answer Key service, which is available for April, June, October, and December test dates. This report provides:
- The actual questions from your student's test form
- Your student's answers
- The correct answers
- Detailed performance information
Having access to this information allows students and tutors to conduct highly targeted review sessions focused on the exact concepts and question types that appeared on the exam. Rather than guessing what caused difficulty, we can identify specific strengths and weaknesses and create a precise improvement plan.
2. Be Prepared for a Tight Timeline
Families planning for the July ACT should understand that June My Answer Key reports may not arrive before the next test date. This means students may need to continue preparing while waiting for additional data from their June exam. While that can be frustrating, it is often the most effective path for students who want another opportunity to improve their scores this summer.
How We Are Responding
At Seeley Test Pros/LEAP, we are treating every Enhanced ACT administration as a learning opportunity. Our instructional team continually reviews student feedback, analyzes released materials, studies emerging trends, and adjusts curriculum as new information becomes available. We are also strengthening tutor collaboration and professional development to ensure every instructor remains current on the latest developments in the Enhanced ACT and can provide students with the most effective preparation possible. The reality is that every major test-preparation company, school counselor, and ACT specialist is still learning from each new administration. Every released test gives educators more information about how the exam is evolving and allows preparation programs to become even more precise and targeted.
The Bottom Line
If your student felt challenged by the June Enhanced ACT Math section, that reaction is understandable. The test is new. The available practice materials are limited. The Math section appears to place greater emphasis on medium and difficult questions than many students expect. Most importantly, one difficult testing experience does not define your student's abilities or future score potential. As additional official tests are released and more data becomes available, educators will continue to refine preparation strategies and help students adapt to this evolving exam.
If you have questions about your student's testing plan, score goals, or next steps, we're always happy to help. Reach out anytime to discuss next steps for your student’s test journey!
📞 Cleveland: 216-965-5162
📞 Cincinnati: 513-754-2240
📧 Email us at info@leaprogram.comÂ
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