The Spring ACT Testing: Tennessee
Important Dates
Test Dates
The ACT Taken on Paper
- Test Window 1: March 2, 2021
- Test Accommodations Window 1: March 2-5, 2021 and March 8-12, 2021
- Test Window 2: March 16, 2021
- Test Accommodations Window 2: March 16-19, 2021 and March 22-26, 2021
- Test Window 3: March 30, 2021
- Test Accommodations Window 3: March 30, 2021 - April 2, 2021 and April 5-9, 2021
The ACT Taken Online
- Test Window 1: March 2-4, 2021 and March 9-11, 2021
- Test Window 2: March 16-18, 2021 and March 23-25, 2021
- Test Window 3: March 30, 2021 - April 1, 2021 and April 6-8, 2021
Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2021 testing
Quick Links
Test Accessibility & Accommodations System (TAA)
To search a variety of state testing content, click here
Are you participating in National Testing this summer? If so, find a training tutorial at the following link with helpful information on administering the ACT test center, click here
Contact Information
ACT General Questions:
800.553.6244, ext. 2800
contact form
Accommodations:
800.553.6244, ext. 1788
ACTStateAccoms@act.org
State Policy Questions:
Phone: 615-351-1146
Website: Tennessee Department of Education
Test Administration Process Overview
Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that section, or simply scroll down the page.
- Orientation - Get oriented with the testing program.
- Configuration - Configure testing setup and systems.
- Verification - Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.
- Preparation - Prepare for testing.
- Administration - Administer the test successfully.
- Transportation - Transport materials and data to ACT.
- Interpretation - Interpret score reports and test data.
Activity: Make Staff Arrangements
1. Confirm School Test Coordinator Assignment
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Managing Contact and User Account Information section)
- 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.
2. Select Test Staff
Resources to complete this activity:
- Staff Requirements, Roles, and Responsibilities
- Selecting your Testing Staff (training tutorial)
Activity: Select Test Dates and Shipping Dates (Manage Participation)
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Test Date and Materials Receipt Selection section)
- Manage Participation (training tutorial)
Activity: Verify the Shipping Address
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Managing Contact and User Account Information section)
- Address Change Request Form (pdf)
Activity: Learn about State Testing
Resources to complete this activity:
Activity: Upload Student Data
Resources to complete this activity:
- Student Data Upload File Requirements & Loading Instructions (pdf)
- Student Data Upload File Requirements & Loading Instructions - Fixed-Width Format (pdf)
- Student Data Upload Header Template
- How to upload Student Data to PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
Activity: Verify Enrollment for Test Materials
1. Verify the enrollment count (the number of examinees expected to test) in PearsonAccessnext listed for:
- Standard Time Testing
- Accommodations Formats, Braille Formats, and Translated Test Instructions for English Learners
2. Check that all newly-enrolled students are in PearsonAccessnext by going to Setup, then Students
3. Enroll/unenroll examinees if the enrollment is not accurate
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Managing Test Materials, Accessing Reports, and Submit a Request to Enroll or Unenroll an Examinee sections)
- PearsonAccessnext Operational Reports Layout (pdf)
- Enroll/Verify/Update Students in PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.
Activity: Site Readiness for Online Testing
Resources to complete this activity:
- Technical Coordinator Checklist (pdf)
- Technical Requirements for the ACT Test Taken Online (includes Technical Guide)
- The ACT Online Testing Site Readiness Plan (Graphic) (pdf)
- Mock Administration Guide
- 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)
Activity: Order Test Materials
- Additional standard time materials for the initial test date
- for an enrollment increase after the Verify Enrollment for Test Materials deadline
- if after receiving materials, more are needed
- Standard time materials for the makeup test date
- Standard time materials for the emergency test date
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Managing Test Materials section)
- 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.
Activity: Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Resources to complete this activity:
- Information about requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
- Accessibility Supports Guide for ACT
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (pdf)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (pdf)
- ACT Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) Training Tutorial (video)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System Supports
- How to Create Account to Request Accommodation through TAA (training tutorial)
- Consent to Release Information (pdf)
- Requesting Reconsideration (TAA User Guide) (pdf)
- Instructions for Retesting with Accommodations (pdf)
- High-Incidence Accommodations, Local Arrangements, and Accessibility Supports (pdf)
- Late Consideration (pdf)
- On Demand Accommodations Training - Available November 18, 2020 (webinar)
- ACT Test Accommodations Training slides (pdf)
Tip: Pay close attention to the dates that ACT is asking you to select in TAA. National test dates are also listed, so be sure to select the test dates for your administration.
Tip: If selecting the Late Consideration date in TAA, make sure to attach the Late Consideration Form in the request.
Tip: If requests are not authorized by ACT, you have the option to test these examinees with accommodations and/or supports, for non-college reportable scores. The test coordinator needs to order non-college reportable materials in PearsonAccessnext.
Activity: Prepare for Testing
1. Complete Non-Test Activities
Resources to complete this activity:
- Taking the ACT(pdf)
- Non-Test Activities
- Non-Test Instructions for Test Coordinator (pdf)
- Non-Test Instructions for Student (Blank Form) (pdf)
2. Prepare Your Examinees
Resources to complete this activity:
- ACT State Testing - Information for Examinees and Parents (docx) (Coming soon)
- Information for Examinees
- Successfully Achieving College and Career Readiness for All Students:
3. Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials
Resources to complete this activity:
- Test Facilities (administration manual section)
- Test Staff (administration manual section)
- Test Materials (administration manual section)
- Test Administration (administration manual section)
- ACT Test Administration Training (webinar) (coming soon)
4. Verify and Update Examinee Information
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Manage Examinee Information section)
5. Prepare for Online Testing
Resources to complete this activity:
- Technical Guide
- ACT Administration Online Manual
- Create and Assign Test Sessions (training tutorial)
Activity: Administer the Test
Resources to complete this activity:
Forms
- Test Administration Form - ACT Standard Time Paper (pdf)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Accommodations Paper (pdf)
- Test Administration form - ACT Non-College Reportable Paper (pdf)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Standard Time (online testing) (pdf)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Accommodations (online testing) (pdf)
Administration manuals
- ACT Administration Manual - Standard Paper (pdf)
- ACT Administration Manual - Accomms Paper (pdf)
- ACT Administration Manual - Non-College Reportable (pdf)
- ACT Administration Manual - Online Testing (pdf)
- ACT Test Coordinator Information Manual (pdf)
Supplements
- ACT-Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list (pdf)
- Prohibited Device Poster (pdf)
- Calculator Policy (pdf)
- USB Troubleshooting Tips
- Emergency and Inclement Weather Plan (pdf) (coming soon)
Video
- Test Day Overview for Room Supervisors (paper) - No Writing (video)
- Test Day Overview for Online Room Supervisors (video)
- How to Enter Online Irregularities (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.
Activity: Return Test Materials
Resources to complete this activity:
- Collecting, Packing, and Returning Test Materials
- Secure Storage and Transport Test Materials Form (pdf)
- 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.
Activity: Conclude Online Testing
Resources to complete this activity:
- How to Purge Cached Test Content (Technical Guide)
Activity: Access and Understand Score Reports
Resources to complete this activity:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (Accessing Reports section)
- Score Report Schedule for the ACT Test (coming soon)
- ACT User Handbook for Educators (pdf)
- Sample Score Report - High School (pdf)
- ACT Online Reporting Training (video)
- ACT Online Reporting User Supplement