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 due to the diagnosis, 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 from Special Testing to National Testing. You will receive notification of the transfer and an admission ticket for the next available national test date at the nearest national test center with a seat and materials for your test option 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) in the testing year; the ACT Plus Writing is available only during six designated two-week testing windows.
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.