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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 7/26/23
Is ACT testing required for your college application? This is your guide to all ACT testing dates. Keep reading for help planning your ACT test dates and registration.
ACT test scores help colleges and universities determine a high school applicant’s readiness for college. While most participants take the multiple-choice exam in a testing center, some states in the US allow online testing.
The ACT exam has four sections, though some schools require an additional writing section. Check with the college to determine if they require the additional writing section. The standard test without the essay is typically two hours and fifty-five minutes. The writing section adds forty minutes.
ACT testing dates are limited. Students must register before the test date.
The ACT test dates listed apply in the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico. Students who cannot attend any ACT testing dates that fall on a Saturday for religious reasons can look into Non-Saturday Testing.
ACT recommends that students register for test dates at least two months before the college deadline. It can take two to eight weeks for you to receive your results, so sending test scores to colleges at the right time is extremely important.
Refer to the college of your choice to ensure the test dates you select are well before their deadline.
Below are the 2024 test dates for the ACT.
To ensure that you write the ACT on one of these dates, register a couple of months before the ACT deadlines.
Students cannot attend an ACT test without registering. The registration deadline is typically four to five weeks before the test date. Registration is done on the ACT website. It takes thirty minutes.
What You’ll Need to Register for An ACT Test Date:
Students can sign-up for late registration if they miss the regular deadline. There is a late fee required for late registration. Make sure you review the regular registration
deadlines closely, and be sure not to miss them.
Source: American College Testing
Ensure that you don’t miss the ACT registration dates. Once you miss the late enrollment date for the ACT, you’ll need to sign up for another date.
Students who could not manage to register in time for their preferred test dates can use standby testing as a last resort. This method is not guaranteed to secure you a spot. It functions on a first-come, first-admitted basis. Once you submit a standby testing request, it will be subject to seat and test availability.
Standby requests are only valid for the ACT testing date they are submitted. Students cannot transfer an approved standby request to another date. Those who miss a standby date will be refunded. Standby testing can be requested through your ACT account.
Here are the standby deadlines for this year.
Source: American College Testing
Remember that even though you may be given a standby date, it isn’t guaranteed you’ll write the ACT on your desired day.
If you still have questions, check out these frequently asked questions.
The ideal time to take the ACT exam typically falls during the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year of high school. This timeline allows you to have a lot of preparation time and allows you to retake the exam if needed.
It also lets you obtain your ACT score early and on time for college applications. It's important to check the registration deadlines and available test dates.
The best month to take the ACT is either April or October because the ideal time to take the ACT is the spring of junior year or fall of senior year.
The recommended duration for ACT study varies depending on factors such as prior knowledge, study habits, and availability. However, it is generally advisable to dedicate several months to prepare for the ACT exam for the best results.
The next ACT Dates for this year are:
Ensure that you apply for these test dates well before the deadline!
ACT test-takers must arrive at their designated test center by 8:00 am. Once students have completed the check-in process and are seated, the test typically begins around 8:30 am.
The ACT dates are fast approaching; only five dates are left this year. Securing an ACT test date that suits your schedule is very important. Be sure to schedule your test date well before your college's deadline. Remember to check back here for test dates and registration deadlines!
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