ACT Admission Test Guide: Dates, Scores, Registration and Practice

The ACT can look confusing at first because there are test dates, registration deadlines, different sections, optional subjects, scores, practice tests, and test-day rules to understand.

The good news is that the structure is quite straightforward once everything is put in order. Here we explain what the ACT is, how the current test works, when it is offered in 2026, how to register, how scoring works, and how students should prepare.

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a college admission test used by students applying to universities, particularly in the United States.

The current ACT includes 3 required sections:

• English
• Math
• Reading

Students can also choose:

• Science
• Writing

Science is no longer required for the ACT Composite score.

The most important change for students using older preparation materials is that the ACT has been redesigned. The current Composite score is based only on English, Math, and Reading.

ACT test format

The required ACT contains 131 questions and takes 125 minutes of testing time.

Some multiple-choice questions are used for field testing and do not count toward the score.

Students are not told which questions are unscored, so every question should be treated normally.

How ACT scores work

ACT subject scores range from 1 to 36.

The current Composite score is calculated from:

• English
• Math
• Reading

The 3 scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number.

For example, Science does not change the current Composite score.

Students who take Science still receive:

• a Science score
• a STEM score, calculated using Math and Science

The maximum ACT Composite score is 36.

There is also no penalty for wrong answers, so leaving a multiple-choice question unanswered does not provide an advantage.

What is a good ACT score?

There is no single ACT score that is good for every student.

The useful target is the score range expected by the universities on the student's application list.

A student should therefore:

• check the typical ACT scores of admitted students
• identify a realistic target score
• measure practice results against that target
• focus preparation on the sections where points can still be gained

The national average Composite for the 2024 graduating class was 19.4, but admission expectations can be much higher at selective universities.

ACT Superscore

Students who take the ACT more than once may also have an ACT Superscore.

The current Superscore uses the highest individual scores achieved across different test dates in:

• English
• Math
• Reading

These best section scores are combined into a new Composite.

Not every university handles superscoring in the same way, so students should always check the admissions policy of each institution they plan to apply to.

ACT test dates in 2026

As of August 2026, the remaining U.S. national ACT dates are:

Earlier 2026 test dates have already passed:

• February 14, 2026
• April 11, 2026
• June 13, 2026
• July 11, 2026

The following national dates are already scheduled for 2027:

• February 27, 2027
• April 10, 2027
• June 12, 2027
• July 10, 2027

Students should choose a test date that leaves enough time for score release, possible retesting, and college application deadlines.

How ACT registration works

Registration is completed through a MyACT account.

Students normally need to:

1. Create or access their MyACT account.
2. Choose a test date.
3. Select an available test center.
4. Choose whether to add Science or Writing.
5. Enter the required personal information.
6. Upload an acceptable recent photo.
7. Pay the registration fee.
8. Complete any additional test-day requirements.

The registration photo must be submitted by the required deadline.

Students who need testing accommodations must also arrange them before test day and receive ACT approval.

How much does the ACT cost?

The current ACT fee page lists:

• English + Math + Reading: $70
• Science add-on: $5
• Writing add-on: $25
• Core test + Science: $75
• Core test + Writing: $95
• Core test + Science + Writing: $100

Additional charges can apply, including:

• $42 late registration fee
• $49 test-date or test-center change fee
• additional score-report fees

ACT fees can change, so students should verify the amount displayed during registration before paying.

Eligible U.S. students may also qualify for an ACT fee waiver through their school counselor.

Paper ACT vs online ACT

The ACT can be administered in different formats depending on the test center and registration options.

Students may encounter:

• paper testing
• online testing on a provided computer
• eligible Bring Your Own Device testing

Students choosing online testing should check the technical requirements in advance.

The exam content and scoring should be studied according to the current ACT format, regardless of whether the test is taken on paper or digitally.

ACT testing outside the United States

International students follow a different registration process and should select the option for testing outside the United States.

Available:

• test dates
• test centers
• testing options

can vary by country.

International students now take the enhanced ACT structure, so old preparation resources based on the previous exam format can be misleading.

How to prepare for the ACT

ACT prep should start with measurement, not random practice.

A simple study process is:

1. Take a full ACT practice test.
2. Record the result for each section.
3. Identify weak topics.
4. Practise those topics separately.
5. Return to timed section practice.
6. Take another full simulation.
7. Compare the new score with the previous result.

Students should use materials that reflect the current ACT structure, especially because older tests may include a different format and scoring system.

On TestBuddy's ACT page, students can keep the structure of the exam clear while building a more organised preparation plan.

Free ACT practice tests

Full-length practice tests are especially useful because they show more than whether a student knows the content.

They also reveal problems with:

• timing
• concentration
• question selection
• pacing
• accuracy under pressure

ACT provides official free practice materials, including full-length practice tests, quizzes, sample questions, and answer explanations.

A free ACT practice test works best as a diagnostic tool.

After finishing it, students should not simply look at the final score. They should review every mistake and identify whether it came from:

• missing knowledge
• misunderstanding the question
• calculation errors
• poor time management
• guessing too early

ACT Math practice

The Math section has 45 questions in 50 minutes, so students have slightly more than 1 minute per question on average.

The section covers areas such as:

• algebra
• functions
• number and quantity
• geometry
• statistics
• probability
• essential mathematical skills
• modelling

Around 80% of scored Math content falls under Preparing for Higher Math, while around 20% focuses on Integrating Essential Skills.

An ACT Math practice test should therefore be used for both content review and timing practice.

Students can use ACT practice on TestBuddy to work through simulations and exercises, track strengths and weaknesses, and monitor their current level with the TB™ Score. It is possible to start for free.

Calculator rules for ACT Math

Calculators are allowed only during the Math section.

Students can generally use permitted:

• 4-function calculators
• scientific calculators
• graphing calculators

Some models and calculator functions are prohibited.

A student who plans to use a calculator should practise with the same permitted device before test day, rather than learning its functions during the exam.

What to bring on ACT test day

Students should check their individual registration information before leaving for the test center.

Important items include:

• acceptable photo identification
• the required admission information or ticket
• an approved calculator for Math, if desired

Phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other prohibited electronic devices must remain switched off and out of sight according to ACT rules.

Using a prohibited device during testing or breaks can lead to dismissal or score cancellation.

When ACT scores are released

Most ACT scores are released approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the test.

Students can view available scores through their MyACT account.

Students who take the optional Writing test may need to wait longer for their complete results.

This timing matters when choosing an ACT date close to a university application deadline.

How to send ACT scores to universities

Students can select universities during registration and can send additional score reports later through MyACT.

Additional reports currently cost $20 per test date, per report.

Depending on the student's results and the university's policy, a student may send:

• scores from a specific ACT test date
• an ACT Superscore

Before sending results, students should check what each university accepts and whether submitting an ACT score is required, optional, or recommended.

Information used for this article

The current exam structure, timing, scoring system, registration rules and preparation information are based on the official ACT test information.

The current U.S. calendar and registration deadlines come from the official ACT test dates schedule.

Current registration costs are based on the ACT fees and services page.

Scoring details are based on ACT's official explanation of ACT scores.

Free preparation resources and sample tests are described on the official ACT free test preparation page.

Calculator requirements are based on the official ACT calculator policy.

International registration information is based on ACT's official international registration guidance.