ACT District Testing Late April 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

Welcome to Your District Testing Program
 

Navigating Your ACT District Testing Webpage Video Transcript (pdf)

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 Online

  • Test Window 1: (coming soon)
  • Test Accommodations Window 1: (coming soon)

Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2024 testing

Tips for Success

  1. Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
  2. Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
  3. 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.
  4. Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders.

Helpful Links

Expand each tray to reveal the information you're looking for.

PearsonAccessnext

Test Accessibility & Accommodations System (TAA)

Spring District Testing FAQ 

To search variety of district testing content click here 

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District Testing Spring Office Hours: Link (coming soon)
District Testing Spring Accommodations Office Hours: Link (coming soon)

 

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ACT General Questions:
Phone: 800.553.6244, ext. 2800
Contact Us

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

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Step 1: Orientation

Get oriented with the testing program.

Learn about Test Formats and Policies

Resources:

Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)

Dates:

calendar (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccess next , 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.

Step 2: Configuration

Configure testing setup and systems.

Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)

Dates:

calendar (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: The formatting in the SDU template includes instructions for how to create a successful file. Be sure to delete the sample row and all blank rows prior to uploading to PearsonAccess next .

Verify Enrollment Counts

Dates:

calendar (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccess next .

Training:

Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing

Dates:

calendar (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials

Step 3: Accommodation

Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

  • On Demand Accommodations Training Webinar (webinar) (coming soon)
  • ACT Accommodations Training slides (pdf)  (coming soon)

Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports

Dates:

calendar (coming sooon)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline

Dates:

calendar (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

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.

Step 4: Preparation

Prepare for testing.

Order Test Materials

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1: (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: If additional materials are needed for examinees authorized by ACT to test with accommodations/supports, call the ACT Accommodations team. Use the Accommodations and Supports Roster, which can be accessed in PearsonAccessnext by Test Coordinators and Room Supervisors, to provide information to ensure the right students receive additional materials.

Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders and Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccess next User Guide.

Complete Non-Test Activities

Dates:

calendarTest Window: (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

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 PearsonAccess next . Refer to the Accessing Reports section of PearsonAccess next 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

Websites:

Resources:

Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Resources:

Tip: Students may not receive scores from more than one test date per administration (initial or makeup) if your school participates in ACT District Testing. If students are allowed to test more than once, we will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be cancelled. The Administration Manual includes details on student eligibility for makeup testing.

Training:

  • ACT Test Administration Training (webinar) - (coming soon)
  • ACT Test Administration Training slides (pdf) (coming soon)

Update Examinee Information

Dates:

calendar(coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Create Online Test Sessions

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1: (coming soon)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Step 5: Administration

Administer the test successfully.

Administer the Test

Online Testing Dates:

calendarTest Window 1 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: (coming soon)

Resources:

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: ACT test translated directions for students testing on paper are shipped with secure test materials.

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.

Return Test Materials

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1 accommodations testing materials receipt deadline: (coming soon)

Resources:

Training:

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.

Step 7: Interpretation

Interpret score reports and test data.

Access and Understand Score Reports

Dates:

calendarScore Report Schedule for the ACT Test (web content)

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Share Reporting Information with Examinees

Websites:

Resources: