PreACT and PreACT 8/9
PreACT tests give grades 8, 9 and 10 an early run at ACT-style questions and a predicted ACT score. Schools, districts and states order them; scores sit on the ACT's 1–36 scale.
Grades8–10
Score scale1–36Top 30 (8/9) or 35 (PreACT)
PreACT length2 h 40 minNew blueprint, fall 2026
Ordered bySchoolsNot individual students
Made by ACT. Who: PreACT 8/9: grades 8–9 · PreACT: grades 9–10. Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.
Who takes it
- PreACT 8/9 suits grades 8 or 9; PreACT suits grades 9 or 10; PreACT 9 Secure (grade 9) and PreACT Secure (grade 10) are online versions for higher-stakes uses.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- States, districts, schools, educational agencies and gifted and talented programs order PreACT 8/9 and PreACT; the Secure versions are only for states and districts.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Students who take PreACT 8/9 or paper PreACT may opt to share their information with colleges and scholarship agencies.
ACT
PreACT AssessmentsACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Format and sections
New PreACT blueprint from fall 2026 (items include unscored field-test questions): ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT
View source
| Section | Items (scored) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | 48 (36) | 35 min |
| Math | 36 (32) | 45 min |
| Reading | 33 (25) | 40 min |
| Science | 36 (30) | 40 min |
| Total time | 160 min (2 h 40 min) |
- PreACT 8/9 has 40 English, 35 math, 25 reading and 30 science items; its new blueprint date is still to be announced.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Paper or online for PreACT 8/9 and PreACT; the Secure versions are online only.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Scoring
- All PreACT tests use the ACT's 1–36 scale; the highest possible score is 30 on PreACT 8/9, 32 on PreACT 9 Secure and 35 on PreACT and PreACT Secure.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- From fall 2026 the Composite is English, math and reading, and science is optional at the district or school level (not the student's choice), as on the enhanced ACT.
ACT
Enhanced PreACT: what K-12 educators need to knowACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Reports include predicted ACT score ranges and progress toward the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Fees and fee waivers
- ACT sells PreACT to schools and districts by quote; it publishes no student fee.
ACT
PreACT AssessmentsACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Free official practice
- Free PreACT Secure and PreACT 9 Secure practice tests on TestNav (Practice Tests link under the login box), timed and untimed, no login needed; ACT says they work as practice for every PreACT product.
ACT
PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice)ACT- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Used by these careers and colleges
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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.
- PreACT FAQs (grades, items, score scale, blueprints, practice) · ACT checked 2026-10-21
- PreACT Assessments · ACT checked 2026-10-21
- Enhanced PreACT: what K-12 educators need to know · ACT checked 2026-10-21