Districts and States
US Students
ACT District Testing
The ACT: Early Spring 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 (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: (coming soon)
- Test Accommodations Window 1: (coming soon)
- Test Window 2: (coming soon)
- Test Accommodations Window 2: (coming soon)
The ACT Taken Online
- Test Window 1: (coming soon)
- Test Window 2: (coming soon)
Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2023 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 (document) (coming soon)
- The ACT Taken Paper or Online (document)
- Testing Policies and Information
- ACT District Testing-Differences in State vs. District Testing (document)
- Test Coordinator Checklist (interactive resource)
Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)
Dates:
(coming soon)
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:
(coming soon)
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 Test Day Selection and SDU (document)
Training:
- How to Upload Student Data to PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
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 PearsonAccessnext.
Verify Enrollment Counts
Dates:
(coming soon)
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)
Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing
Dates:
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Coordinator Checklist (document)
- Technical Requirements for the ACT Test Taken Online
- The ACT Online Testing Site Readiness Plan (document)
- Mock Administration Guide (document)
ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Websites:
Resources:
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (document)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
- ACT Training Information Graphic-English Learner (EL) Supports (document)
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT
Training:
- On Demand Accommodations Training Webinar (webinar)
- ACT Accommodations Training slides (document)
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Dates:
(coming soon)
Websites:
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) (success.act.org)
Resources:
- Consent to Release Information (document)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (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:
(coming soon)
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:(coming soon)
Test Window 2:(coming soon)
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. 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 & 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 Account Setup - State & District Testing (video)
- MyACT Interest and Careers Inventories (document)
- 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:
- ACT Test Administration Training (webinar)
- ACT Test Administration Training slides (document)
Update Examinee Information
Dates:
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Manage Examinee Information section)
Create Online Test Sessions
Dates:
(coming soon)
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Guide (document)
- ACT Administration Online Manual (document)
- Preparing Students for the ACT Test Taken Online (document)
- Preparing for Online Testing - Quick Start Guide (document)
- Switching from Paper to Online Testing (document)
Training:
- Create and Assign Test Sessions (training tutorial)
Administer the Test
Paper Testing Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time Administration Date: (coming soon)
Test Window 1 Accommodations Administration Window: (coming soon)
Test Window 2 Standard Time Administration Date: (coming soon)
Test Window 2 Accommodations Administration Window: (coming soon)
Online Testing Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: (coming soon)
Test Window 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: (coming soon)
Resources:
Forms
- Test Administration Form - ACT Standard Time Paper (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Accommodations Paper (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Non-College Reportable Paper (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Standard Time (online testing) (document)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Accommodations (online testing) (document)
Administration Manuals
- ACT Administration Manual - Standard Paper (document)
- ACT Administration Manual - Accommodations Paper (document)
- ACT Administration Manual - Non-College Reportable (document)
- ACT Administration Manual - Online Testing (document)
- ACT Test Coordinator Information Manual (document)
Supplements
Video
- Test Day Overview for Room Supervisors (paper) (video)
- Test Day Overview for Online Room Supervisors (video)
- How to Enter Online Irregularities (training tutorial)
- Manage Online Test Session (training tutorial)
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.
Return Test Materials
Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: (coming soon)
Test Window 1 Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: (coming soon)
Test Window 2 Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: (coming soon)
Test Window 2 Accommodations Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: (coming soon)
Resources:
- Collecting, Packing, and Returning Test Materials (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Secure Storage and Transport of Test Materials Form (document)
Training:
- How to Return Standard and Accommodations Test Materials (video)
- How to Return Online Test Materials (video)
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.
Purge Online Testing Content
Dates:
(coming soon)
(coming soon)
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Guide (select the How to Purge Cached Test Content section)
Access and Understand Score Reports
Dates:
Score Report Schedule for the ACT Test
Websites:
Resources:
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (document)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Accessing Reports section)
- ACT User Handbook for Educators (document)
- MyACT Quick Start Guide (document)
- Student Information Booklet (document)
- Sample Score Report - High School (document)
- ACT Online Reporting User Supplement
Training:
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Benefits Features Navigation and Rosters (video)
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Contact Reports and Student Reports (video)
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Summary Data Tool Resources (video)
- ACT Certified Educator for K-12 Schools and Districts - Advanced Professional Development
Share Reporting Information with Examinees
Websites:
- Understanding Your Scores (act.org)
Resources:
- 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)