Special Testing is designed for students who:
- normally use more than time-and-a-half for tests (or use extended time only on writing tests) in school, or
- require testing over multiple days, or
- normally use alternate test formats such as Braille, cassettes, audio DVDs, or a reader; or a computer or scribe for essays, and/or alternate response modes, (such as responding orally) or
- are testing at an international test center and cannot use a regular type (10-point) booklet or test with standard time limits, or need accommodations the test center cannot provide.
If you can test with time-and-a-half and paper formats, you should apply for Center Testing #2 instead.
Note: If ACT approves you for accommodations that can be provided at a national test center, your application will be automatically transferred to National Testing. You will receive notification of the transfer and an admission ticket for the next available national test date at the nearest available test center that can provide the approved accommodations.
To request Special Testing, do not complete a registration folder or register on the Web. Instead, ask your counselor or qualified school official to complete and submit the Request for ACT Special Testing for you.
The request form explains the eligibility criteria, documentation required, testing schedules, submission deadlines, and retest restrictions.
The ACT (No Writing) for Special Testing is available any day(s) from September 10, 2011, to June 24, 2012. The ACT Plus Writing is available only during the designated two-week testing windows listed on the request form.
Note: At locations outside the U.S. or Canada, Special Testing is not available prior to October 22, 2011, and the ACT Plus Writing is not available during the February window.
See the testing comparison chart to review the requirements and features of Special Testing and Extended Time National Testing to decide which form of testing is most appropriate for you.