PreACT Assessments Are Aligning to the Enhanced ACT
Administer PreACT Assessments
PreACT Assessment Program Details
Before you enroll, use the information below to plan and decide which assessment, test window, and delivery will work best for your district or school.
Reminder: To align with the enhanced ACT, new blueprints for PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure rolled out in spring 2026 administrations. The PreACT blueprint will roll out in fall of 2026 and the PreACT 8/9 blueprint will roll out at a later date. All PreACT assessments (regardless of blueprint change) will use the new Composite score (calculated with English, math, reading) and offer science optional starting in fall of 2026.
The prices below reflect cost per student.
| Online $19 |
Paper $20 |
| Online $19 |
Paper $20 |
| Online Only $21.50 |
| Online Only $21.50 |
Bundled Pricing
Order ACT District Testing and PreACT® and/or PreACT® 8/9 together to receive bundled pricing discounts!
Must have an ACT District Testing contract to receive discounted pricing. Bundled discount is $1 off per student on PreACT and/or PreACT 8/9. No discount code necessary; billing will be adjusted appropriately.
PreACT 8/9
PreACT
Online & Paper
- Cost Per Student: Online: $19 Paper: $20
- Enrollment Window: Feb. 28, 2026 to May 7, 2027
- Materials Ordering Opens: Aug. 3, 2026
- Materials Shipping Window: Aug. 17, 2026 to May 7, 2027
- Test Events: Flexible administration – Schools choose when to test Sept. 1, 2026 – May 28, 2027
- Reports Expected: As early as 10 business days after receipt of materials.
PreACT 9 Secure
PreACT 9
Online Only
- Cost Per Student: Online Only $21.50
- Enrollment Window: Feb. 28, 2026 to March 19, 2027
- Materials Ordering Opens: Aug. 3, 2026
- Test Events:
- Spring Test Event 1: March 8 – 19, 2027
- Spring Test Event 2: March 22 – Apr. 2, 2027
- Spring Test Event 3: Apr. 5–16, 2027
- Reports Expected: As early as 10 business days after receipt of materials.
2025-26 School Year
You can still order PreACT assessments for the 2025-26 school year. The deadline for PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure is March 27, 2026. The deadline for PreACT 8/9 and PreACT is May 8, 2026.
Why It Works
Before you enroll, see what the data shows. Across 32 states and three graduating cohorts, students who took PreACT consistently outperformed those who didn't, and the gains are measurable from test to test.
~+1 pt
20.94 vs. 19.94
Higher ACT Composite Scores
Students who took PreACT averaged about 1 Composite point higher on the ACT than students who didn’t — across 32 states.
+1.81
Average Composite gain · PreACT → ACT
Measurable Score Growth
Students gained an average of +1.81 Composite score points from their PreACT to their ACT score. English showed the largest gain at +3.70 points.
↑ with rigor
Gains rise with course rigor and grades
Rewards Academic Rigor
Average score gains steadily increase with high school course rigor and grades — PreACT motivates and rewards students who challenge themselves.
PreACT Communications Toolkit
Use the different resources in this toolkit to communicate about and prepare students for the PreACT.
PreACT Recognition Club Toolkit
Now schools and districts can celebrate student success and encourage students to do their best on the ACT® and PreACT tests.