Register for the ACT!

The ACT fits YOUR learning style with flexible and balanced testing to help you do your best!

Register in less than 10 minutes on desktop or mobile and get it done on the go!

*#1 taken college admissions test in nearly half of U.S. states (based on 2024 graduating class).

Next Test Date: Feb 14 | Early Registration: Jan 9

To Register, You Will Need About 10 Minutes and...
 

Computer with Internet

Credit Card or Other Payment

Your Photo

Photo requirements

ACT Test Cost

ACT Exam Prices for Testing Through July 2026

  Fee Details
The ACT Test $68.00 The ACT Test includes the English, math, and reading sections.
Writing Add-On Fee $25.00 More about the ACT with writing. Can be added or removed through the late deadline.
Science Add-On Fee $4.00 More about the science section. Can be added or removed through the late deadline.
All pricing includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). All fees are nonrefundable unless otherwise noted.

Learn more about fees and other services, or if you might be eligible for a fee waiver.

ACT Fees

ACT Test Dates

National test dates are for the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico.

  • If you missed the regular registration deadline for a test date, you can still register by the late registration deadline for an additional fee.
  • If you did not register for a test date by the late registration deadline, you may be able to request standby testing for an additional fee.

Deadlines occur at midnight Central Time.

If you are unable to test on a Saturday test date for religious reasons, there may be options available to you. See Non-Saturday Testing.

All requests for Accommodations and English Learner supports, including appeals, must be submitted by the late registration deadline through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system.

2026 National Test Dates Schedule

Test Date
 Regular Registration Deadline
(Late fee applies after this date.)
 Late Registration Deadline
 Photo Upload/ Standby Deadline Initial Score Release Date
December 13, 2025 November 7 November 24 December 5 December 30
February 14, 2026 January 9 January 23 February 6 March 3
April 11, 2026 March 6 March 24 April 3 April 21
June 13, 2026 May 8 May 29 June 5 June 23
July 11, 2026* June 5 June 24 July 3 July 21

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

 

2026-2027 National Test Dates Schedule

Test Date
 Regular Registration Deadline
(Late fee applies after this date.)
 Late Registration Deadline
 Photo Upload/ Standby Deadline Initial Score Release Date
September 19, 2026 August 14 September 1 September 14 October 6
October 17, 2026 September 11 September 29 October 12 October 27
December 12, 2026 November 6 November 29 December 7 December 22
February 27, 2027 January 22 February 9 February 22 March 16
April 10, 2027 March 5 March 23 April 5 April 20
June 12, 2027 May 7 May 25 June 7 June 22
July 10, 2027* June 4 June 22 July 5 July 20

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

Want a reminder when registration opens for these dates? Fill out our registration reminder form below.

Testing Modes for the ACT

Paper

The classic paper and pencil experience with a test booklet and bubble answer sheet.

Online

A modern screen-and-keyboard testing experience.

BYOD

Online experience with the option to bring your own computer or a school-managed computer to a test site.

Additional Information for Registration

Before you register, learn more about the process to request accommodations or English Learner (EL) supports.

Learn about making a request

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Consider choosing a test date at least two months ahead of the application deadlines of all the colleges and scholarship agencies you might want to apply to.

Multiple-choice scores are normally reported within 2–8 weeks after the test date. If you take the ACT with writing, scores will be reported only after all of your scores are available, including writing, normally within 5–8 weeks after the test date.

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Search for an ACT test center near you.

Test Center Locator

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You may need this code when interacting with ACT.

High School Codes Lookup

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The writing test is an optional 40 minute essay that measures your skills as a writer.

Learn more about the ACT with writing.

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You may opt to send copies of important messages to a parent or guardian email address.

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To learn what calculators can be used during the test, see our Calculator Policy (PDF).

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You may not receive scores from more than one test date during a scheduled national (Saturday, non-Saturday, or rescheduled test date arranged by ACT). If you are admitted and allowed to test a second time, we will report only the scores from the first test. The second or third set of scores will be cancelled without refund.

You may not receive scores from more than one test date per state administration (initial or makeup) if your school participates in ACT State and District Testing. If you are allowed to test more than once, we will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be cancelled.

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The ACT Test is Evolving

Great news: The ACT test is becoming more flexible and less time-consuming, and will offer even more choice for students to tailor their test experience! 

Learn more about the enhancements and how they will set students up for success.

Get a Registration Reminder

No time to register? No problem! Just fill out the form to receive your text or email registration deadline notifications.

And while you're waiting to register, take a few minutes to create your MyACT Account! It's super-easy! By creating an account, you can start exploring your interests, college majors, and potential careers and come back later to register!

Create Your MyACT Account

To be one of the first to know when registration opens for the 2026-27 National Testing Dates, select the box for “2026-27 Test Dates” when completing the form. Individual dates for reminders will be available Spring 2026.

Say “Yes” to ACT Recruit Me!

Get discovered by colleges. When you register you can opt-in to ACT Recruit Me (formerly EOS). ACT Recruit Me will connect you with colleges, universities, and financial aid institutions based on your plans and interests. Expand your vision for college and open up new ways to pay for it. 

Information on opting out of ACT Recruit Me.

Special Circumstances
 

After you register for a test event, you will be able to make changes to your record. For a small fee, you can make a test center change and a test date change (if changes are made at the same time).

Test Center Change for the same test date - If a seat and materials are available for your test option at your new preferred test center on your preferred test date, you will be able to make a test center change.  You cannot request a test center change after the late registration deadline. Instead, find out about requesting standby testing.

Test Date Change - A test date change can be used to sign up for a different test date if you are absent or unable to test on the original test date or if your registration is cancelled for failure to meet ACT's test security requirements.

Note: If you paid with an ACT Fee Waiver, the waiver will be reapplied to your new test date, but covers only the test fee or late fee for your test option, you must still pay the change fee.

Test Option Change – Before the late registration deadline, you can add the writing test and change between paper or online testing if a seat is available. Starting in April 2025 and through July 2025, the science test will also be available as an optional test if you test online. 

 

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If you miss the test for any reason, including illness, injury, being denied admission at the test center for lack of ID, or late arrival, your options are listed below.

IMPORTANT: Once you break the seal on your test booklet, you cannot later request a test date change, even if you do not complete all your tests. You must register again and pay the full fee for your test option if you want to retest.

Request and pay for a test date change

Log in to your MyACT account and select "Make Changes to Your Registration" or call ACT Registration at 319.337.1270 by the regular deadline for the new test date. You will be charged an additional fee for the test date change.

If you call during the late registration period, you will also be charged a late fee. (If you register for a new test date instead of making a test date change, your basic fee for the original test date will not be refunded.)

If you decide you do not want to test on another test date, your registration fee and any additional fees (such as late fee or test center change fee) are nonrefundable. If you do not test, no score reports will be sent.

 

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ACT reviews arranged testing requests for examinees who qualify under certain conditions such as distance from test centers and confinement to correctional institutions.

Arranged Testing Policies and Procedures (PDF)

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If you miss the late deadline to register for a test date, or to request a test date or test center change, you may choose to sign in to your ACT account to request and pay for standby testing. Accommodations may be available for standby testing, but seats are not guaranteed. You may contact ACT to see if there is an available seat, test materials, and staff to administer the test.

Standby Testing

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ACT My Answer Key (TIR) FAQs

The ACT My Answer Key (TIR) is a copy of your answers along with the questions and correct answers from the test, delivered after your scores are released. It is offered only three tests a year, and ACT is the only standardized test that offers this option for you to learn from your personal test performance to boost your scores. 

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ACT Test Bundle FAQs

The voucher is redeemable for one ACT test registration (either paper or online) through the July 2026 late registration deadline. The voucher will cover:

  • The ACT test registration fee
  • The optional science test add-on fee (available online April-July 2025; and paper or online September 2025-July 2026)
  • Late registration fee

Note: The late registration fee is not covered during the initial purchase of the bundle if purchased during the late registration window of the April 2025 test. 

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A voucher code will be sent (typically within 24 hours) to the email address that is associated with your MyACT account and was used to purchase the bundle.

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No, vouchers are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be combined with any other offer. 

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Terms and Conditions apply.

Terms and Conditions

For complete details, refer to the Terms and Conditions - English (PDF), Spanish (PDF)