When are the ACT® Test dates in 2026-27? Note: Online testing is available at some but not all locations. Check online test availability in your area. You may need to choose “paper” as your testing option to see available test centers. Check the ACT® website for updates and to register.
| ACT® Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Fee Deadline |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5 | June 24 |
| September 19, 2026 | August 14 | September 1 |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11 | September 29 |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6 | November 29 |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22 | February 9 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5 | March 23 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 25 | June 7 |
| July 10, 2027 | June 4 | July 5 |
If you miss the late registration deadline, you can contact ACT for standby testing options (paper only), which are very limited and not guaranteed. Learn more here.
Aside from these national test dates, many schools offer the ACT® Test during the school day, especially in states where it is the state-mandated test for juniors.
Check with your school counselor or state education website to see if and when your school offers the tests. These tests usually begin at the end of February (states including Kansas, Ohio, and Arkansas) and last until mid-April (Wyoming, Montana, and South Carolina).
What will the ACT® Test cost in 2026-27?
Check the ACT® website for the most current fee schedule.
| Cost | |
| ACT® Test (without writing or science)* | $70 |
| Writing Add-On Fee | $25 |
| Science Add-On Fee | $5 |
| Late registration fee | $42 |
| Standby testing | $75 |
| Change Fee (date, form, or center) | $49 |
| Additional score reports | $20 |
| ACT My Answer Key (previously Test Information Release) | $34/$42 |
If you are a student eligible for Federal Free and Reduced lunch programs, the ACT® Test offers waivers for up to two ACT® Tests and unlimited score reports.
When should you take the ACT® Test?
Now that you know when the ACT® Tests are (and how much they cost), how do you decide which test date is right for you?
First, it’s important to know how many times you should take the ACT® Test. Very rarely does anyone get their best score on the first try. We recommend that you take the ACT® Test at least four times: twice in junior year and twice in the fall of senior year. But deciding which test dates are best can vary.
Here are a few questions to ask as you plan out your ACT® testing schedule.
Will your school offer the ACT® Test?
If they do, that means you get a free testing opportunity. But that doesn’t mean you should take it easy or wait until your school test date to think about the ACT® Test. Better yet, make the school-offered ACT® Test your second test. Sign up to take either the December or February ACT® Test prior to your school’s test so you’re prepared for the format of the test, the timing, and the content. It is also a great idea to take the test on the national Saturday date closest to your school’s testing date—this way, you get double the testing out of your preparation!
What’s your college application timeline?
Make a list of the colleges you are considering and write down their application deadlines. See when you need to have taken the ACT® Test to submit your application. Most colleges will accept ACT® Test scores from seniors through the December test of their fall semester (some even consider the February test from the spring semester), but it’s worth checking to make sure you have all the pieces of your application in place to get into your college choices—don’t forget to consider early applications as well! Also, check when scholarships are awarded. Some schools only disburse a limited amount of money, so you want to get your name under consideration before the funds run out!
What other commitments do you have?
While you shouldn’t put off the ACT® Test because of other commitments, extracurricular activities, or your academic load, it is worth looking at your schedule to consider what else might be happening at the same time as the test. If you’re an athlete, you might not have your best test the day after a long drive back from an away game. If you are a musician or an actor, try to avoid a test date directly after a big performance. Consider your schedule and choose which four ACT® Tests you’ll take over the course of your junior and senior years.
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Think you’re ready? One more step after you choose your ACT® Test dates: maximize your scores with OTC Prep for the ACT® Test. Practice and prepare so you can do your best on the test.
