Districts and States
US Students
ACT District Testing
The ACT: Fall Administration
The ACT District Testing program provides students the opportunity to earn college-reportable ACT scores by taking the test in their own classrooms.
Next Steps | Welcome | Test Dates | Tips for Success | Help and Contact
Important Dates
Your Schedule of Events 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: October 5, 2021
- Test Accommodations Window 1: October 5-8, 2021 and October 11-15, 2021
- Test Window 2: October 19, 2021
- Test Accommodations Window 2: October 19-22, 2021 and October 25, 2021
Documents will be replaced as they become available for fall 2021 testing.
Tips for Success
- Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
- Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
- Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Accommodation, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing using the links provided. You can see a brief description, action items, and resources associated with each stage to help you get a feel for the testing timeline. Content will be linked as it becomes available.
- Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders.
Learn about Test Formats and Policies
Resources:
- What's New
- Testing Policies and Information (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Coordinator Checklist (interactive resource)
- ACT District Testing-Differences in State vs. District Testing (document)
Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)
Dates:
August 2 – 27, 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 (Manage Participation) (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.
Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)
Dates:
August 2 – 27, 2021
Websites:
Resources:
- Student Data Upload File Requirements & Loading Instructions (document)
- Student Data Upload File Requirements & Loading Instructions - Fixed Width Format (document)
- Student Data Upload Header Template (xlsx)
- How to Verify Manage Participation and SDU (document)
Training:
- How to Upload Student Data to PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
Verify Enrollment Counts
Dates:
August 2 – 27, 2021
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)
- Managing Enrollment and Materials for Testing (document)
Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.
Training:
- Enroll/Verify/Update Students in PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
- Managing Enrollment and Materials for Testing (training tutorial)
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Websites:
Resources:
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT
- ACT Training Information Graphic-English Learner (EL) Supports (document)
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (document)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
Training:
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Dates:
May 3 – August 27, 2021
Websites:
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) (success.act.org)
Resources:
- Consent to Release Information (document)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (document)
- Retesting with Accommodations (document)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System Supports
- High-Incidence Accommodations, Local Arrangements, and Accessibility Supports (document)
Training:
Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline
Dates:
September 6 – October 1, 2021
Websites:
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) (success.act.org)
Resources:
- Requesting Reconsideration (TAA User Guide) (document)
- Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline (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:
Test Window 1: September 6 – 24, 2021
Test Window 2: October 5 – 8, 2021
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 User Guide for Test Coordinators (document)
- MyACT User Guide for Students (document)
- MyACT Interest and Careers Inventories (document)
- MyACT Account Setup - State & District Testing (video)
- MyACT Benefits and Tips for School and Student (document)
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:
- On Demand Test Administration Training (webinar)
- ACT Test Administration Training slides (document)
Update Examinee Information
Dates:
October 5 – 18, 2021
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Manage Examinee Information section)
Administer the Test
Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time Administration Date: October 5, 2021
Test Window 1 Accommodations Administration Window: October 5 – 8 and October 11 – 15, 2021
Test Window 2 Standard Time Administration Date: October 19, 2021
Test Window 2 Accommodations Administration Window: October 19 – 22 and October 25, 2021
Resources:
Forms
Administration Manuals
- 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)
Supplements
- ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list (document)
- Prohibited Device Poster (document)
- Calculator Policy (document)
- USB Troubleshooting Tips
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.
Return Test Materials
Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: October 12, 2021
Test Window 1 Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: October 22, 2021
Test Window 2 Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: October 26, 2021
Test Window 2 Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: November 1, 2021
Resources:
- Collecting, Packing, and Returning Test Materials (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Secure Storage and Transport 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.
Access and Understand Score Reports
Dates:
See your Score Report Schedule for release dates
Websites:
Resources:
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Accessing Reports section)
- Score Report Schedule for the ACT Test
- ACT User Handbook for Educators (document)
- MyACT Quick Start Guide (document)
- Sample Score Report - High School (document)
- ACT Online Reporting User Supplement
Training:
- ACT Online Reporting Training (on-demand presentation)
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)
- Understanding Your Scores (act.org)
- Interactive Student Report (document)