Test Administration Process Next Steps

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that phase.

 

Step 1: Orientation - Learn about test formats and policies; select test dates and provide shipping information; select test staff and set up accounts.

Step 2: Configuration - Upload student data records; verify enrollment for test materials; order test materials.

Step 3: Accommodation - Learn about accessibility supports; request accommodations and/or supports; request reconsideration or late consideration.

Step 4: Preparation - Complete non-test activities; provide examinees test prep information; prepare your facility, staff, and materials; update examinee information.

Step 5: Administration - Administer the test.

Step 6: Transportation - Return test materials.

Step 7: Interpretation - Access and understand score reports; share reporting information with examinees.

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Important Dates

Your Schedule of Events (coming soon) contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.

Test Dates

The ACT Taken on Paper

  • Test Window 1: March 8, 2022
  • Test Accommodations Window 1: March 8-11, 2022 and March 14-18, 2022
  • Test Window 2: March 22, 2022
  • Test Accommodations Window 2: March 22-25, 2022 and March 28 - April 1, 2022
  • Test Window 3: April 5, 2022
  • Test Accommodations Window 3: April 5-8, 2022 and April 11-15, 2022

The ACT Taken Online

  • Test Window 1: March 8-10, 2022 and March 15-17, 2022
  • Test Window 2: March 22-24, 2022 and March 29-31, 2022
  • Test Window 3: April 5-7, 2022 and April 12-14, 2022  

 

         Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2022 testing.                  

Helpful Links

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PearsonAccessnext

Test Accessibility & Accommodations System (TAA)

Preparing for State Testing (FAQs)

Content Search

 

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ACT General Questions:
800.553.6244, ext. 2800
contact form

Accommodations: 
800.553.6244, ext. 1788
ACTStateAccoms@act.org

State Policy Questions:
Rebecca Peterson
801.538.7694
Website

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Step 1: Orientation

Get oriented with the testing program.

Activity: Make Staff Arrangements

1. Confirm School Test Coordinator Assignment

Resources to complete this activity:

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:

Activity: Select Test Dates and Shipping Dates (Manage Participation)

Resources to complete this activity:

Activity: Verify the Shipping Address

Resources to complete this activity:

Activity: Learn about State Testing

Resources to complete this activity:

Step 2: Configuration

Configure testing setup and systems.

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:

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:

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:

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.

Step 3: Accommodation

Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.

Activity: Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports

Resources to complete this activity:

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.

Step 4: Preparation

Prepare for testing.

Activity: Prepare for Testing

1. Complete Non-Test Activities

Resources to complete this activity:

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. 

2. Prepare Your Examinees

Resources to complete this activity:

3. Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Resources to complete this activity:

4. Verify and Update Examinee Information

Resources to complete this activity:

5. Prepare for Online Testing

Resources to complete this activity:

Step 5: Administration

Administer the test successfully.

Activity: Administer the Test

Resources to complete this activity:
Forms
Administration manuals
Supplements
Video

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.

Step 6: Transportation

Transport materials and Data to ACT.

Activity: Return Test Materials

Resources to complete this activity:

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:

Step 7: Interpretation

Interpret score reports and test data.