Country edition: USA Beta
USA · Exams · College admission and college credit

ACT

The enhanced ACT has English, math and reading (science and writing are optional add-ons). The Composite is 1–36, the test costs $70, and seven national dates run from September 2026 to July 2027.

Sections3 + 2 optionalScience, writing
Composite1–36English, math, reading
Fee$70$75 with science
Next dateDec 12, 2026Register by Nov 6
Test datesFees and fee helpFree official practice

Made by ACT. Who: Usually grades 11 and 12. Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.

Who takes it

  • Usually taken in grades 11 and 12. National test dates are for the United States, U.S. territories and Puerto Rico; ACT says more than 2 million students take it every year.
    ACT
    ACT Exam Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-2027)ACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • State and district school-day ACT tests moved to the enhanced format from spring 2026.
    ACT
    The Enhanced ACTACT
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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Format and sections

Multiple-choice sections in English, math, reading and optional science: 171 questions and 2 hours 45 minutes with science. Writing is an optional 40-minute essay after a 5-minute break.

ACT
ACT Test Day: how long is the ACT and each sectionACT
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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SectionTimeQuestions
English35 min50Required
Math50 min45Required
Reading40 min36Required
Science40 min40Optional add-on
Writing40 min1 essayOptional add-on
  • Each section includes unscored field-test questions: English 40 scored (+10), math 41 (+4), reading 27 (+9), science 34 (+6).
    ACT
    Understanding Your ACT ScoresACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • No penalty for guessing: scores count only correct answers.
    ACT
    ACT Test Day: how long is the ACT and each sectionACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Scoring

  • Composite 1–36: the average of English, math and reading, rounded. Science left the Composite for all ACT tests from September 2025.
    ACT
    Understanding Your ACT ScoresACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • With science you also get a STEM score (math and science); the ELA score averages English, reading and writing if taken. Writing is scored 2–12 and does not affect the Composite.
    ACT
    Understanding Your ACT ScoresACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Fees include reports to you, your high school and up to four colleges named at registration.
    ACT
    Current ACT Fees and ServicesACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Fees and fee waivers

ItemFee
The ACT (English, math, reading)$70
With science$75
With writing$95
With science and writing$100
Late registration$42
Standby testing$75
Change (form, test day or center)$49
Score reports for 5th and 6th colleges, or later reports$20 each
ACT My Answer Key (before the test / after)$36 / $44
Score verification (multiple choice or writing)$67

Source:

ACT
Current ACT Fees and ServicesACT
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source

  • Fee waivers: up to two ACT tests free, including science and writing, for students in grade 11 or 12 testing in the U.S., its territories or Puerto Rico who show economic need (free or reduced-price lunch, programs such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound, foster care, homelessness, public assistance or family income at USDA lunch levels). Ask your school counselor.
    ACT
    ACT Fee Waiver Program: eligibility and how to apply (2026–2027)ACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • A waiver also brings free access to The Official ACT Self-Paced Course (five full practice tests, one year), free My Answer Key, free extra score reports, and you may ask colleges to waive or defer their application fee.
    ACT
    ACT Fee Waiver Program: eligibility and how to apply (2026–2027)ACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Test dates

2026-2027 national test dates (deadlines 11:59 p.m. Central Time):

ACT
ACT Exam Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-2027)ACT
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source

Test dateRegister byLate deadlineScores from (online)
Sept 19, 2026Aug 14Sept 1Oct 6, 2026
Oct 17, 2026Sept 11Sept 29Oct 22, 2026
Dec 12, 2026Nov 6Nov 29Dec 17, 2026
Feb 27, 2027Jan 22Feb 9Mar 16, 2027
Apr 10, 2027Mar 5Mar 23Apr 15, 2027
June 12, 2027May 7May 25June 17, 2027
July 10, 2027June 4June 22July 15, 2027
  • Initial online score release dates are from ACT's score page; paper scores can come later.
    ACT
    ACT Test Scores: 2026-2027 initial score release datesACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • July testing comes to New York starting in 2027. Projected 2027-28 dates: Sept 11, Oct 16, Dec 11, 2027; Feb 26, Apr 8, June 10, July 15, 2028.
    ACT
    ACT Exam Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-2027)ACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Where it is accepted

  • Colleges that use scores set their own rules; ACT and College Board publish official concordance tables to compare ACT and SAT scores (they are estimates, not exact conversions).
    ACT
    Understanding Your ACT ScoresACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Free official practice

  • Free official full-length practice tests: digital (timed and untimed, by section, with scoring) and paper booklets with scoring keys.
    ACT
    Free ACT Practice Tests and Test PrepACT
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Used by these careers and colleges

Careers on this site where BLS lists a bachelor's degree or more as the typical way in. A college may ask for this test on the way, depending on its own policy.

Colleges, checked on their own admissions pages

  • MIT: Required. SAT or ACT required for first-year and transfer applicants.
    MIT
    Tests & scores — MIT AdmissionsMassachusetts Institute of Technology
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • Yale University: Required. All first-year and transfer applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores; AP/IB scores optional but encouraged.
    Yale
    Standardized Testing — Yale Undergraduate AdmissionsYale University
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • Princeton University: Optional now, required later. Test optional for students entering in fall 2027; SAT or ACT required for students entering in fall 2028.
    Princeton
    Standardized Testing — Princeton AdmissionPrinceton University
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • University of California: Test-free. SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission or scholarships.
    University of California
    First-year requirements — UC AdmissionsUniversity of California
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
    View source
  • West Point (Army): Applicants send SAT, ACT or CLT scores.
    West Point
    Steps to AdmissionUnited States Military Academy at West Point
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

Careers (77)

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Sources

Where these facts come from

Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.