Texas and ACT:
Partners in College and
Career Success

They say everything is bigger in Texas. We aim to make sure Lone Star students are our biggest success story yet.

Like you, we are deeply invested in the success of every student in Texas. Our holistic approach to college and career readiness is designed to serve the diversity of Texas students by helping you navigate scholarship opportunities, overcome test-optional policies, fill career gaps, and gain deep insights found in the data.  

ACT was founded on the belief that the strength of our multi-faceted society rests squarely on academic and workplace success for everyone. Access is everything. As a nonprofit, we are committed to bringing the underserved to the table with our outreach and fee waiver programs, and that’s why we are the only college entrance exam that provides accommodations for English learners. 

On-Demand Webinar: Texas Accountability Updates and the ACT

A review of the Texas accountability updates for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond, including the new College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) requirements, ACT indicators, and best practices to meet state and federal mandates for CCMR and Outcomes Bonuses.

Why Texas Schools and Districts Choose the ACT

Fall 2023 Dates:

  • August 23 - Fall Enrollment Deadline
  • October 3 – Paper
  • October 3-5 and 10-12 – Online
  • October 17 – Paper
  • October 17-19 and 24-26 – Online
  • October 31– Paper
  • October 31-Nobember 2 and November 7-9 – Online

Spring 2024 Dates:

  • January 10 – Spring Enrollment Deadline
  • February 27 – Paper
  • February 27-March 1 and March 4-8 – Online
  • March 26 – Paper
  • March 26-29 and April 1-5 – Online
  • April 9 – Paper
  • April 9-12 and 15-19 - Online

 

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Superscoring

Only on the ACT test are students able to take the average of their four best subject scores from each ACT test attempt—and count it as their official score.

Online Testing [Fall & Spring]

Texas students have the opportunity to test in the fall and spring. The benefits of online testing include:

 

  • longer testing windows than paper;
  • faster student reporting;
  • flexibility to switch between paper and online testing as needed;
  • scores comparable across online and paper;
  • no shipping/supply chain disruptions;
  • reduced risk of test misadministration; and
  • online state specific tech support.

 

More Test Dates

The 18-day online testing window provides the flexibility to pick the best day for schools/districts and students to test. In addition, there are 6 days to test with paper.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Based on an independent study on test score requirements of merit-based scholarships at public universities, of 100 scholarships offered at 58 prominent schools using ACT/SAT cut scores, 34 scholarships favored the ACT, while only 15 favored the SAT. Learn more about scholarships where ACT scores make a difference here. 

English Language Supports

ACT believes in success for everyone. We provide accommodations to US students who are English learners. The goal of these supports is to help ensure that the ACT scores earned by EL students accurately reflect what they have learned in school. Most importantly, test results are college reportable. Accommodations include:

 

  • bilingual dictionary;
  • directions in 18 languages;
  • small group testing;
  • non-distracting environment; and
  • extended testing time.

 

The ACT STEM Benchmark

The ACT is the only college entrance exam with a STEM Benchmark, which is an indicator of whether a student is well prepared for the types of first-year college courses required for a college STEM-related major. Millions of STEM jobs are projected to go unfilled in the near future. In fact, it's estimated that 3.5 million jobs will need to be filled by 2025.

Science Testing

Texas districts that offer high school courses in 8th grade include Biology, Algebra, and English. Since those students have to take either the SAT or ACT for Texas accountability, the ACT is the best choice. The ACT is the only test that includes Biology content. 

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Texas takes a leading role in the nation, ensuring that schools and districts offer students well-defined pathways to higher education and promising careers immediately following their graduation. Our team of ACT experts is here to assist you in achieving your College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) goals through the utilization of ACT K-12 solutions, designed to identify academic strengths, provide targeted interventions, and accelerate students toward success. 
 
Our team boasts a collective experience of more than 54 years in the field of public education, with diverse roles spanning teaching, school administration, higher education, business, and previous positions within the Texas Education Agency.

 

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Next Steps

Explore the benefits of testing students on a school day.

Learn more by reviewing the Texas-related curated resources below.

Connect with ACT Texas experts. Request a district or school consultation and/or talk to an ACT representative. 

Enroll for 2023-24 - Participate in the Texas state-funded ACT administration. Request your personalized enrollment link to start the process. Deadline for spring enrollment is January 10, 2024.

Andy J. Benoit, Ed.D.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi

“In helping students prepare for success in college, we have found that each student brings something different for enrollment professionals to consider. We strongly support traditional consideration areas like GPA and class rank as they indicate performance in high school and commitment to educational pursuits. However, standardized tests like the ACT provide additional opportunities to demonstrate understanding of key concepts that can be strong indicators to preparedness. When considering these factors as a whole (and even with co-curricular engagement), a stronger and more holistic predictor of student success can be achieved.”

Andy J. Benoit, Ed.D.
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Texas Resources

ACT Supporting Solutions

Success doesn’t happen in a year. It happens year after year. That’s why ACT offers a continuum of sequential assessments that prepare your students for a lifetime of success—in college and beyond.

In the spirit of partnership, we have extended Texas exclusive pricing for select ACT solutions.

  Year 1
2023-24 Student
PreACT
8/9 & 10		 $14.50
ACT
Workkeys		 $11.50