PreACT Secure: Wisconsin

Next Steps | Important Dates | Help and Contact

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 policies; select test dates and provide shipping information; select test staff and set up accounts.

Step 2: Configuration - Manage student information; complete site readiness for online testing.​

Step 3: Accommodation - Identify student needs for accommodations and/or supports. Assign Accommodations in PearsonAccessnext​

Step 4: Preparation - Order test materials; provide examinees test prep information; prepare your facility, staff, and materials; update examinee information; create online test sessions.

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 (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: March 16 - April 24, 2026 (weekday testing only)
  •  Material Ordering Window: February 16–April 3, 2026
  •  Answer Document Return Deadline: May 8, 2026

Helpful Links

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PearsonAccessnext

 

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Wisconsin Office Hours:

  • Office Hours link (coming soon)
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PreACT Secure General Questions:
ACT Customer Support Hours: 8:30am to 5pm
Extended Hours: 8am to 5pm from March 17 through April 25, 2025
877.789.2925 Option 2, PreACT Secure
Website
preact@act.org

State Policy Questions:
WI Dept of Public Instruction
Nikki Braconier
608.266.1075
email
Website

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Learn about Test Formats and Policies

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

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Resources:

Set Up Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports in PearsonAccessnext

Dates:

calendar Paper Testing: January 26–April 3, 2026

calendar Online Testing: January 26–April 24, 2026

Website:

Resources:

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 Test Materials

Dates:

calendar February 16–April 3, 2026

Websites:

Tip: You will order alternate format test materials for English learners through PearsonAccessnext

Resources:

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:

Resources:

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:

Training:

  • PreACT Secure Test Administration Training #1 (webinar) (coming soon)
  • PreACT Secure Test Administration Training #1 slides (pdf) (coming soon)
  • PreACT Secure Test Day/Post Test Administration Training #2 (webinar) (coming soon)
  • PreACT Secure Test Day/Post Test Administration Training #2 slides (pdf) (coming soon)

Update Examinee Information

Create Online Test Sessions

Administer the Test

Testing Dates:

calendar March 16 - April 24, 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:

calendar May 8, 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 accommodation materials after all testing (accommodated and non-accommodated) has been completed.

Step 7: Interpretation

After Testing: Interpret score reports and test data.