The ACT Test: North Carolina
Important Dates
The Schedule of Events (coming soon) contains all dates and deadlines for North Carolina's test event. Check it frequently to stay on track for testing.
Test Dates
The ACT Taken on Paper
- Initial Test Date—standard time test date: March 1, 2022
- Initial Test Window—accommodations and/or supports: March 1-4, 2022 and March 7-11, 2022
- Make-Up Test Date—standard time test date: March 15, 2022
- Make-Up Test Window—accommodations and/or supports: March 15-18, 2022 and March 21-25, 2022
- Emergency1 Test Date—standard time test date: March 29, 2022
- Emergency2 Test Window—accommodations and/or supports: March 29-31, 2022 and April 4-8, 2022
The ACT Taken Online
- Initial Test Window—standard time test date: March 1-3 2022 and March 8-10, 2022
- Make-Up Test Window—standard time test date: March 15-17, 2022 and March 22-24, 2022
- Emergency1 Test Window—standard time test date: March 29-31, 2022 and April 5-7, 2022
1 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test date/window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
2 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
Documents will be replaced as they become available for Spring 2022 testing
Learn about Test Formats and Policies
Resources:
- What's New (document)
- The ACT Taken Paper or Online (document)
- Testing Policies and Information (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- NCDPI ACT Frequently Asked Questions Spring 2022 (document) (coming soon)
- NC-On Demand Data Interpretation Webinar (webinar)
- NC Data Interpretation Webinar slides (pptx)
Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)
Dates:
November 1 - December 3, 2021
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Test Date and Materials Receipt Selection section)
- Address Change Request Form (webform)
Training:
- Test Date Selection (training tutorial)
Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts
Websites:
Resources:
- Staff Requirements, Roles, and Responsibilities (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Contact and User Account Information section)
Training:
- Selecting your Testing Staff (training tutorial)
- Manage Contacts (training tutorial)
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:
November 1, 2021 - January 14, 2022
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Test Materials, Accessing Reports, and Submit a Request to Enroll or Unenroll an Examinee sections)
- PearsonAccessnext Operational Reports Layout (document)
Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.
Training:
- Enroll/Verify/Update Students in PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
Online Testing: Complete Site Readiness
Dates:
December 7, 2021 - January 19, 2022
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Coordinator Checklist (document)
- Technical Requirements for the ACT Test Taken Online
- The ACT Online Testing Site Readiness Plan (document)
- Mock Administration Guide (coming soon)
ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials
- ACT Online Technical Readiness 1: Overview (training tutorial)
- ACT Online Technical Readiness 2: Proctor Caching (training tutorial)
- ACT Online Technical Readiness 3: TestNav (training tutorial)
- ACT Online Technical Readiness 4: Mock Administration (training tutorial)
- ACT Online Technical Readiness 5: PreCache/Purge Test Content (training tutorial)
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Websites:
Resources:
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (document)
- PearsonAccessnext Operational Reports Layout (document)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
Training:
- On Demand Accommodations Training Webinar (coming soon)
- ACT Accommodations Training slides (document)
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Dates:
January 10 - 14, 2022
Websites:
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) (success.act.org)
Resources:
- Consent to Release Information (document)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (document)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System Supports
- Retesting with Accommodations (document)
- High-Incidence Accommodations, Local Arrangements, and Accessibility Supports (document)
- Requesting the Same ACT-Approved Accommodations on a Future Administration (document)
Training:
Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline
Dates:
January 17 - February 25, 2022
Websites:
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) (success.act.org)
Resources:
- Requesting Reconsideration (TAA User Guide) (document)
- Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline Form (document)
Tip: Reconsideration is used if you submitted a request for accommodations that was denied. Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline is for limited reasons as indicated on the form.
Tip: If selecting the qualified exceptions date in TAA, make sure to attach the Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline Form in the request.
Order Test Materials
Dates:
Initial: January 24 - February 18, 2022
Make-Up: March 1 - 4, 2022
Emergency1 March 15 - 18, 2022
1 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test date/window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Test Materials section)
Training:
- Ordering Additional ACT Materials (training tutorial)
Tip: If additional materials are needed for examinees authorized by ACT to test with accommodations/supports, call the ACT Accommodations team.
Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders & Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.
Complete Non-Test Activities
Dates:
After materials arrive
Websites:
Resources:
- Taking the ACT (document)
- Non-Test Activities (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Non-Test Instructions for Student (Blank Form) (document)
- Non-Test Instructions for Student (Blank Form with Mail Merge) (docx)
- MyACT Account Setup - State & District Testing (video)
Tip: To provide visibility into the non-test information process, schools will have access to a new daily Student Code Usage Status report after receiving their first shipment of materials. This report is posted in the Published Reports section in PearsonAccessnext. Refer to the Accessing Reports section of PearsonAccessnext User Guide for instructions. This report contains “Yes” or “No” to indicate students who have not used their Student Code or not completed college choices.
Provide Examinees Test Prep Information
Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials
Resources:
- Test Facilities (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Staff (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Materials (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Administration (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
Training:
- ACT Test Administration Training - Paper (coming soon)
- ACT Test Administration Training slides - Paper (coming soon)
- ACT Test Administration Training - Online (coming soon)
- ACT Test Administration Training slides - Online (coming soon)
Update Examinee Information
Dates:
November 1, 2021 - January 14, 2022
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Manage Examinee Information section)
Online Testing: Create Test Sessions
Dates:
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Guide (document)
- ACT Administration Online Manual (document)
- Preparing Students for the ACT Test Taken Online (document)
- Preparing for Online Testing - Quick Start Guide (document)
- Switching from Paper to Online Testing (document)
Training:
- Create and Assign Test Sessions (training tutorial)
Administer the Test
Dates - Paper
Initial Test Date—standard time test date: March 1, 2022
Initial Test Window—accommodations and/or supports: March 1-4 and March 7-11, 2022
Make-Up Test Date—standard time test date: March 15, 2022
Make-Up Test Window—accommodations and/or support: March 15-18, 2022 and March 21-25, 2022
Emergency1 Test Date—standard time test date: March 29, 2022
Emergency2 Test Window—accommodations and/or supports: March 29-31, 2022 and April 4-8, 2022
Dates - Online
Initial Test Window—standard time test date: March 1-3, 2022 and March 8-10, 2022
Make-Up Test Window—standard time test date: March 15-17, 2022 and March 22-24, 2022
Emergency1 Test Window—standard time test date: March 29-31, 2022 and April 5-7, 2022
1 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test date/window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
2 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
Resources:
Forms - Paper
- Test Administration Form - ACT Standard Time Paper (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Accommodations Paper (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Non-College Reportable Paper (document)
Forms - Online
Administration Manuals - Paper
- ACT Administration Manual - Standard Paper (document)
- ACT Administration Manual - Accommodations Paper (document)
- ACT Administration Manual - Non-College Reportable (document)
- ACT Test Coordinator Information Manual (document)
Administration Manuals - Online
- ACT Administration Manual - Online Testing (document)
Supplements
- ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list (document)
- Prohibited Device Poster (document)
- Calculator Policy (document)
- USB Troubleshooting Tips (document)
- North Carolina Administration Supplement (coming soon)
Video - Paper
Video - Online
- Test Day Overview for Online Room Supervisors (video)
- How to Enter Online Irregularities (training tutorial)
- Manage Online Test Session (training tutorial)
Tip: Ensure you are using the correct materials for your test date and type to avoid cancellation of scores.
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 - Paper
Initial Test Date—Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: March 9, 2022
Initial Test Window—Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: March 18, 2022
Make-Up Test Date—Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: March 22, 2022
Make-Up Test Window—Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: April 1, 2022
Emergency Test Date—Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: April 5, 2022
Emergency Test Window—Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: April 15, 2022
Dates - Online
Initial Test Window—Standard time and Accommodation Testing Materials Return: March 14, 2022
Make-Up Test Window—Standard time and Accommodations Testing Materials Return: March 25, 2022
Emergency1 Test Window—Standard time and Accommodations Testing Materials Return: April 11, 2022
1 Schools must obtain permission from the NCDPI to utilize the emergency test date/window. Refer to the NCDPI Annual Testing Program School Calendar Conflict Request form for more information.
Resources:
- Collecting, Packing, and Returning Test Materials (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Secure Storage and Transport of Test Materials Form (document)
Training:
- How to Return Test Materials (training tutorial)
Tip: Do not return unused answer documents from initial testing. Use those for makeup testing.
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 ACT-authorized accommodations materials at the end of the testing window, rather than returning materials for individual examinees as they complete testing.
Tip: If you receive an additional order, write your high school name and code on the return shipping labels.
Online Testing: Purge Online Testing Content
Dates:
Initial - March 10, 2022
Makeup - March 24, 2022
Emergency - April 11, 2022
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Guide (select the How to Purge Cached Test Content section)
Access and Understand Score Reports
Dates:
See your Score Report Schedule for release dates
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Accessing Reports section)
- Score Report Schedule for the ACT Test (coming soon)
- ACT User Handbook for Educators (document)
- ACT Best Practices for Using ACT Data (document)
- MyACT Quick Start Guide (document)
- Sample Score Report - High School (document)
- ACT Online Reporting User Supplement
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
Training:
- ACT Online Reporting Training (on-demand presentation)
- ACT Data Interpretation Webinar 2019-2020 (video) registration is required to view recording
- NC Data Interpretation Webinar slides (document)
Share Reporting Information with Examinees
Websites:
- Understanding Your Scores (act.org)
Resources:
- Student Information Booklet (document)
- Sample Score Report - Student (document)
- Using Your ACT Results (document)
- Using Your ACT Results - Spanish (document)
- Interactive Student Report (document)