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ACT Testing Updates

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Preparing to take the ACT? Your first step (in addition to studying!) is to register for the test. We鈥檝e compiled test dates and registration deadlines for 2025-2026, plus other need-to-know facts about the test.

Although of four-year colleges do not require SAT or ACT scores, counselors often recommend that students prepare for and take one of the tests. The reason for this is that strong test scores can be an asset to your application, even at test-optional colleges. Also, several highly selective colleges require test scores, as do some scholarships, honors programs, and competitive majors.

The ACT is given at various test centers throughout the year (see below for more information). In addition, many school districts provide students with the opportunity to take an official ACT test during regular school hours on a weekday. If your school offers the test, you won鈥檛 need to register ahead of time. Contact your school if you are unsure whether it offers ACT testing opportunities. If the ACT isn鈥檛 offered at your school, or if you plan to take the optional science or writing tests, you鈥檒l have to register in advance and take the test(s) at a national test center near you. The information and test dates below refer to tests offered at national test centers.

ACT Test Dates for 2025-2026

Advance registration is required to take the ACT at a national test center. Since spots are limited, it鈥檚 a good idea to check out the test dates and registration deadlines for the coming year and register as early as possible. The chart below, which is current as of June 2025, includes dates and registration deadlines for 2025-2026.

act-dates-2025-26

5 ACT Facts You Should Know

  1. The ACT features three mandatory test sections: English, math and reading, plus two optional tests in writing and science. Students can take the test online or on paper.
  2. A new digital version of the ACT was released in April 2025, containing fewer questions, a shorter duration, fewer multiple-choice options, and shorter reading passages. Also, with the new release, the science test, which was previously required, is now optional. These changes will be incorporated into the paper version of the ACT beginning in September 2025.
  3. The composite ACT score is calculated based on the English, math, and reading sections of the test. The optional science and writing tests are scored separately.
  4. Students who opt to take the science test will receive an additional STEM score derived from the average scores from the math and science tests. Students who opt to take the writing test will receive an additional ELA (English Language Arts) score. Although the ACT writing and science tests are optional, some colleges may require them. If you鈥檙e planning to major in a STEM field or English, you may want to consider taking these tests even though they are not required.
  5. The digital version of the ACT is a linear test, not an adaptive test. This means the difficulty of later questions won't change based on earlier performance.

ACT FAQ

  • How many questions are on the ACT?
    The new digital ACT has 131 required questions (down from 251). The optional science test has 40 questions. The writing test has one essay question.
  • How long does the ACT take?
    The core ACT test is 125 minutes (down from 185 minutes). The science and writing tests are each 40 minutes.
  • When do ACT scores come out?
    ACT scores are not released on a specific date, although scores are usually released within 10 days of the test date but can sometimes take up to eight weeks.
  • What is a good ACT Score?
    ACT scores range from 1 鈥� 36. Students who take the ACT more than once will automatically receive a 鈥�,鈥� which is a higher composite score taken from the average of their best scores on the English, math, and reading tests from different test dates. The composite ACT score corresponds to a percentile that compares how well a student did on the test compared to the general population of ACT test-takers from the same academic year. According to the test prep site , a composite ACT score of 23 in 2024 was at the 75th percentile. A score at the 75th percentile means that the student scored the same or better than 75% of all ACT test-takers that academic year.

    A 鈥済ood ACT score鈥� may also depend on the colleges to which you are applying. Generally, a score that falls within or well above the average for admitted students is considered 鈥済ood鈥� for that college. You can find average ACT scores of admitted freshmen in 密桃视频鈥檚 college profiles, which you can access using College Search.
  • Where can I find Test Prep Resources for the ACT?
    The ACT website offers, study guides, and quizzes, as well as from Kaplan. Several are also available from various booksellers. Some for-profit test prep companies, such as , also offer free ACT practice tests, videos and other resources.

How to Register for the ACT

It鈥檚 important to register for the ACT as soon as possible so you have a spot reserved and can plan your study time. Here are some tips for registering for the ACT.

  1. Register online. You can register online from the ACT website. When you register and set up an account, you can print your admission ticket, make changes to your registration, and view your scores as soon as they are available.
  2. Submit a photo. You must submit a photo of yourself by the photo submission deadline for your test date. Photos can be uploaded from a computer or mobile device or submitted by mail. Visit the ACT website for .
  3. Find out if you need to take the writing or science tests. Some colleges require that you take either or both the optional writing and science tests. You can register for these tests when you register for the ACT.
  4. Pay your fees or apply for a fee waiver. The registration fee for the ACT is $65 for the core exam. The writing test is an additional $25 and the science test is an additional $4. The fee includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges. There is a fee of $19 for each report sent to additional colleges. Visit the ACT website for , as well as more information about registration, fee waivers, and the test itself.
  5. Decide if you want colleges to contact you. When you register for the ACT, you can opt-in to ACT鈥檚 free service, which will connect you with colleges, universities, and financial aid opportunities.

ACT Fee Waivers

ACT fee waivers are available to qualifying students who cannot afford the ACT registration fee. Students can receive up to four fee waivers which cover an unlimited number of free score reports and free access to self-paced test prep. If you qualify for an ACT fee waiver, you may also qualify for college application fee waivers. Visit the ACT website for .

PLAN AHEAD

The ACT can be a critical part of your college application and so it鈥檚 important to give yourself time to study and practice. We hope that having the ACT test dates, registration deadlines, and facts about the test all in one place will help you plan your practice and study time accordingly.

Good luck!

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