PreACT Secure: Alabama
Important Dates
Your Schedule of Events (web content ) SOE- excel version contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.
- Testing Window: September 28—October 23, 2026
- Material Ordering Window: August 17–October 2, 2026
- Answer Document Return Deadline: October 30, 2026
Learn about Test Formats and Policies
Resources:
Content Area Workshops
Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts
Websites:
Resources:
Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccessnext, remember to deactivate the existing test coordinator's user account. Updates need to be completed in two places: the manage contacts screen and creating a new user account.
Verify Enrollment Counts
Dates:
August 17–October 2, 2026
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide, Managing Test Materials, Accessing Reports, and Submit a Request to Enroll or Unenroll an Examinee sections (manual sections) (web content)
- PearsonAccessnext Operational Reports Layout (pdf)
Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing
Dates:
August 17–September 21, 2026
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Coordinator Checklist (pdf)
- PreACT Secure Online Technical Guide (web content)
- Mock Administration Guide (pdf)
Training:
ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Resources:
Set Up Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports in PearsonAccessnext
Dates:
August 17–October 2, 2026
Website:
Resources:
- PreACT Secure Online Administration Manual, Testing with Accessibility Supports section (web content)
- PreACT Secure Paper Administration Manual, Testing with Accessibility Supports section (web content)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide, Assigning Accommodations and Supports section (web content)
- Human Reader and Sign Language Interpreter Instructions and Guidelines (pdf)
- Video American Sign Language Usage Guidelines (pdf)
Training:
- Assign Accommodations and Verify Enrollment (webinar)
- Assign Accommodations and Verify Enrollment (pdf)
Tip: Administering PreACT Secure with accommodations or English learner supports does not require prior approval from ACT. You will order alternate format test materials for English learners through PearsonAccessnext
Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports
Resources:
Order Accommodated Test Materials
Dates:
August 17–October 2, 2026
Websites:
Tip: You will order alternate format test materials for English learners through PearsonAccessnext
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide, Managing Test Materials section - manual section (web content)
- Address Change Request Form (webform)
Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders & Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.
Provide Examinees Test Prep Information
Websites:
- Information for Examinees (act.org)
- Practice Tests for Examinees Using Accommodations (act.org)
Resources:
- PreACT Secure-ALSDE Student Opportunities Letter (pdf)
- PreACT Secure-ALSDE Student Opportunities Letter - Spanish (pdf)
- Preparing for the PreACT Secure (pdf)
- Taking the PreACT Secure (pdf)
- TestNav Practice Tests (includes TestNav Tutorial)
- Practice Test Scoring Guide (pdf)
- Getting Ready for Online Testing in TestNav (pdf)
- Order Form Alternate Format Practice Tests (pdf)
Tip: TestNav Practice Tests can be found on the TestNav Site without logging in by clicking on the "practice Tests" link at the bottom of the sign in window.
Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials
Resources:
- PreACT Secure Online Administration Manual, Test Administration section (web content)
- Instructions for Completing Your Answer Document (pdf)
- PreACT Secure-Office Hours (webinar)
- PreACT Secure-Office Hours (pdf) (coming soon)
Update Examinee Information
Dates:
October 19, 2026
Website:
Resource:
Create Online Test Sessions
Dates:
August 17–October 2, 2026
Websites:
Resources:
Administer the Test
Testing Dates:
September 28—October 23, 2026
Resources:
Forms
Administration Manuals
Supplements
Tip: If you are testing an examinee authorized for English learner supports, have the ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list handy to verify at check in that the examinee’s dictionary can be used for testing.
Return Test Materials
Dates:
Receipt Deadline: October 30, 2026
Resources:
Tip: Do not return unused paper accommodations answer documents from initial testing. Use those for makeup testing and refer to the Test Administration Manual to properly manage unused materials at the end of the testing window.
Tip: Return answer documents following testing so they arrive at ACT by the receipt deadline listed on the Schedule of Events and can be scored.
Tip: Return all accommodations materials after all testing (accommodated and non-accommodated) has been completed.
Access and Understand Score Reports
Dates:
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- PreACT Secure Interpretive Guide for Students and Aggregate Reports (pdf)
- ACT Online Reporting User Guide (pdf)
- Best Practices for Trusted Agents (pdf)
- PreACT Secure Online Reporting (webinar) On Demand
- PreACT Secure Online Reporting slides (pdf) (coming soon)
- ACT Profile Reports - ACT Online Reporting Crosswalk (pdf)
- Downloading HSRs or ISRs as Individual PDFs (pdf)
- PreACT Secure DHL Layout (xlsx)
- Access Scores without a Claim Code in MyACT-Test Coordinator (pdf)
Share Reporting Information with Examinees
Resources: