Register for the ACT!

The ACT fits YOUR learning style with flexible and balanced testing to help you do your best!

Next Test: February 14
Early Registration: January 9

What You’ll Need to Register

Registration is quick and easy. Create your MyACT account in minutes and register for the ACT in just a few simple steps.

Computer with Internet Connection

A computer with internet is required to register, manage your account, and complete your ACT registration online.

Credit Card or Other Payment Method

You’ll need a credit card or other payment to register for the ACT. Payment secures your spot and covers your exam fees.

Your Photo for
Test Security

Upload a recent photo for ID and test security. It will appear on your ticket and help staff confirm your identity on test day.

ACT Exam Prices Through July 2026

Prices include score reports for you, your school, and up to four colleges. Fees are nonrefundable unless noted. 
Learn more about fees and other services, or if you might be eligible for a fee waiver. 
 

The ACT Test

The ACT Test includes English, math, and reading sections to assess your academic skills and college readiness.

$68.00

Writing Add-On Test

Optional 40-minute essay taken after the main exam. Add or drop it by the late deadline.

$25.00

Science Add-On Test

Science includes biology, chemistry, Earth/space sciences, and physics. Add or drop it by the late deadline.

$4.00

Upcoming ACT Test Dates

Choose the ACT test date that fits your schedule or sign up for Registration Reminders and get alerts by email and text. National test dates are for the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico. Deadlines occur at midnight Central Time.

FEBRUARY

14

February ACT

Register by January 9

Late registration*: January 23

Scores released: March 3

 

APRIL

11

April ACT

Register by March 6

Late registration*: March 24

Scores released: April 21

 

JUNE

13

June ACT

Register by May 8

Late registration*: May 29

Scores released: June 23

 

JULY

11

July ACT

Register by June 5

Late registration*: June 24

Scores released: July 21


*Late Registration Fees Apply
**No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

When and Where to Take the ACT

To ensure a smooth application process, follow these guidelines for scheduling your ACT and locating a convenient testing site.

When You Should Take the ACT

Take the ACT at least two months before your earliest college and scholarship application deadlines. Scores are typically available online a few weeks after the test date.

Find an ACT Test Center Near You

Use the official ACT test center locator. You can search by state, city, or zip code to find nearby testing locations. Once a center is found, you can view the available test dates.

Testing Modes for the ACT

Paper

The classic paper and pencil experience with a test booklet and bubble answer sheet.

Online

A modern screen-and-keyboard testing experience.

BYOD

Online experience with the option to bring your own computer or a school-managed computer to a test site.

Say “Yes” to ACT Recruit Me!

Get discovered by colleges. When you register you can opt-in to ACT Recruit Me (formerly EOS). ACT Recruit Me will connect you with colleges, universities, and financial aid institutions based on your plans and interests. Expand your vision for college and open up new ways to pay for it. 

Additional Information for Registration

Everything you need to know about registration changes, retakes, and more.

After you register for a test event, you will be able to make changes to your record. For a small fee, you can make a test center change and a test date change (if changes are made at the same time).

Test Center Change for the same test date - If a seat and materials are available for your test option at your new preferred test center on your preferred test date, you will be able to make a test center change.  You cannot request a test center change after the late registration deadline. Instead, find out about requesting standby testing.

Test Date Change - A test date change can be used to sign up for a different test date if you are absent or unable to test on the original test date or if your registration is cancelled for failure to meet ACT's test security requirements.

Note: If you paid with an ACT Fee Waiver, the waiver will be reapplied to your new test date, but covers only the test fee or late fee for your test option, you must still pay the change fee.

Test Option Change – Before the late registrations deadline, you can add the writing and/or science test and change between paper, online, or BYOD testing if a seat is available.

If you miss the test for any reason, including illness, injury, being denied admission at the test center for lack of ID, or late arrival, your options are listed below.

IMPORTANT: Once you break the seal on your test booklet, you cannot later request a test date change, even if you do not complete all your tests. You must register again and pay the full fee for your test option if you want to retest.

Request and pay for a test date change

Log in to your MyACT account and select "Make Changes to Your Registration" or call ACT Registration at 319.337.1270 by the regular deadline for the new test date. You will be charged an additional fee for the test date change.

If you call during the late registration period, you will also be charged a late fee. (If you register for a new test date instead of making a test date change, your basic fee for the original test date will not be refunded.)

If you decide you do not want to test on another test date, your registration fee and any additional fees (such as late fee or test center change fee) are nonrefundable. If you do not test, no score reports will be sent.

 

ACT reviews arranged testing requests for examinees who qualify under certain conditions such as distance from test centers and confinement to correctional institutions.

Arranged Testing Policies and Procedures (PDF)

If you miss the late deadline to register for a test date, or to request a test date or test center change, you may choose to sign in to your ACT account to request and pay for standby testing. Accommodations may be available for standby testing, but seats are not guaranteed. You may contact ACT to see if there is an available seat, test materials, and staff to administer the test.

Standby Testing

You may not receive scores from more than one test date during a scheduled national (Saturday, non-Saturday, or rescheduled test date arranged by ACT). If you are admitted and allowed to test a second time, we will report only the scores from the first test. The second or third set of scores will be cancelled without refund.

You may not receive scores from more than one test date per state administration (initial or makeup) if your school participates in ACT State and District Testing. If you 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.

If you are unable to test on a Saturday test date for religious reasons, there may be options available to you. See Non-Saturday Testing.

Before you register, learn more about the process to request accommodations or English Learner (EL) supports.

Learn About Making a Request

You may need this code when interacting with ACT.

High School Codes Lookup

You may opt to send copies of important messages to a parent or guardian email address.

The ACT My Answer Key (formlery TIR) is a copy of your answers along with the questions and correct answers from the test, delivered after your scores are released. It is offered only three tests a year, and ACT is the only standardized test that offers this option for you to learn from your personal test performance to boost your scores. 

What does the voucher within the bundle cover?

The voucher is redeemable for one ACT test registration (either paper or online) through the July 2026 late registration deadline. The voucher will cover:

  • The ACT test registration fee
  • The optional science test add-on fee
  • Late registration fee

Note: The late registration fee is not covered during the initial purchase of the bundle if purchased during the late registration window of the April 2025 test. 

How will my voucher be delivered?

A voucher code will be sent (typically within 24 hours) to the email address that is associated with your MyACT account and was used to purchase the bundle.

Can the voucher be refunded?

No, vouchers are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be combined with any other offer. 

Register for the ACT Today

Secure your test date and start your path to college success!
It’s easy, fast, and the first step toward achieving your best score.

 

Terms and Conditions

For complete details, refer to the Terms and Conditions - English (PDF), Spanish (PDF)