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ACT® Registration – Test Dates & Cost for 2026–2027

Get help with ACT® registration, including key test dates, fees, and steps to sign up — everything you need in 1 quick guide.

Home » ACT Prep » ACT® Registration – Test Dates & Cost for 2026–2027

The American College Testing Program (ACT®) is a standardized test used by colleges and institutions to evaluate the academic preparedness and success of prospective students. If you are planning to take the ACT but aren't sure if you qualify or how to register, this comprehensive guide is for you. In order to help you register for the ACT in a timely manner, we will also discuss the ACT test dates, test fees, and eligibility criteria.

ACT Test Dates 2026–2027

The following table provides a quick reference to the key ACT registration dates and deadlines for 2026–2027, including both regular and late registrations.

ACT Test Dates 2026–2027	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Standby Deadline & Photo Upload Deadline
February 14, 2026	January 9	January 23	February 6
April 11, 2026	March 6	March 24	April 3
June 13, 2026	May 8	May 29	June 5
July 11, 2026*	June 5	June 24	July 3
September 19, 2026	August 14	September 1	September 14
October 17, 2026	September 11	September 29	October 12
December 12, 2026	November 6	November 29	December 7
February 27, 2027	January 22	February 9	February 22
April 10, 2027	March 5	March 23	April 5
June 12, 2027	May 7	May 25	June 7
July 10, 2027*	June 4	June 22	July 5

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

You must note that before taking the test, it is important to be aware of the ACT policies and guidelines, as any violation may lead to the cancellation of scores. Read our guide on ACT Test Policies and Accommodations so that nothing catches you by surprise on the test day.

Generally, the ACT test dates are released a year in advance, and based on the test schedules over the past 5 years, we have made a list of tentative test dates up to 2029. Please note that the dates below are just the projected dates and are subject to change as per the ACT's decision.

ACT Test Dates 2027–2028

The following are the projected ACT test dates for 2027–2028:

Test Dates for 2027–2028	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Photo Upload and Standby Deadline
September 18, 2027	August 13	August 31	September 13
October 16, 2027	September 10	September 28	October 11
December 11, 2027	November 5	November 29	December 6
February 12, 2028	January 7	January 21	February 4
April 8, 2028	March 3	March 21	March 31
June 10, 2028	May 5	May 23	June 2
July 8, 2028	June 2	June 20	June 30

ACT Test Dates 2028‒2029

The following are the projected ACT test dates for 2028‒2029:

Test Dates for 2028‒2029	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Photo Upload and Standby Deadline
September 16, 2028	August 11	August 29	September 11
October 21, 2028	September 15	October 3	October 16
December 9, 2028	November 3	November 27	December 4
February 10, 2029	January 5	January 19	February 2
April 14, 2029	March 9	March 27	April 6
June 9, 2029	May 4	May 22	June 1
July 14, 2029	June 8	June 26	July 6

ACT Registration

For both paper and computer-based tests, the registration process is the same and can be done online through the ACT’s website. It is important to note that schools are responsible for managing ACT registrations for students participating in state testing. The ACT's website has removed the "register-by-mail" form. Students who would rather not register online must get in touch with ACT directly (by phone, for example) to learn about other options.

To register for your test, you need to have the following items ready:

A computer with an internet connection
A credit card or some other payment method
High school course details
A headshot photo

How to Register for the ACT

Registering for the ACT test is quite easy and takes around 30 minutes to complete. All you need to do is visit the ACT official website and complete the following steps.

Create a MyACT online account
Select a test time and location
Create a student profile and finish the application by providing the supporting documentation
Use a credit/debit card or an online money transfer method to pay the test fee

Register at least 3 to 4 weeks before the test date. If you register after the deadline, you will need to pay the late registration fee.

How to Reschedule the ACT Test

To make changes to your ACT registration, log in to your MyACT account and choose the “Make Changes to Your Registration” option, or call ACT Registration at 319-337-1270. The revisions that can be made to your test registration are:

Change of Test Center for the Same Test Date: You may change your test center as long as a seat is available at your new chosen test center on your preferred test date. However, you will not be able to request any changes after the late registration deadline.
Test Option Change: If a seat is available, you may add the writing option before the late registration deadline. The fee for the writing test is not refundable.
Test Date Change: If you are unable to take the test on the scheduled date, are absent due to illness or some emergency, or had your registration revoked for failing to meet the test security standards of ACT, you may use the test date change option to register for a new test date. In this case:
- You will have to pay the full fee for the new test date and the test date change fee.
- If you call during the late registration period, you will also be charged a late fee.
- Your registration fee for the original test will be refunded later in both of the above scenarios.

However, if you register for a new test instead of opting for the test date change option, your registration fee for the original test or any other additional fees (such as late charges or test center change fees) will not be refunded. If you used an ACT Fee Waiver for your original registration, the waiver will also be applied again to your new test date, but will only cover the test registration charge or late fee; the test change fee will still be due.

If you broke the seal on your test booklet and did not finish all your tests, you cannot ask to change the test date later. If you choose to retake the test, you will need to register once again and pay the entire test fee.

ACT Test Fees

When you register for the ACT, you’ll choose which sections you want to take. Both the Science section and the Writing test are optional. You can take the ACT with or without Science, and you can also decide whether or not to add the Writing test. Your registration fee will depend on the combination you select.

Types of Test	Fee	Details
The ACT Test (Reading, English, and Math sections)	$68	Score reports for you, your high school, and up to four universities are included.
Writing section (Add-on fee)	$25	Score reports for you, your high school, and up to four universities are included.
Science Section (Add-on fee)	$4	Score reports for you, your high school, and up to four universities are included.

The following are some other cases in which the applicant may have to pay additional fees.

Fee Type	Fee	Details
Late registration	$40	Changes made in the registration or test date during the late period of the test.
Standby testing	$72	If you are denied admission to the test center on the test day or if your registration is canceled because no photo was submitted, your fee will be reimbursed.
Change Fee	$48	Changes made in the test date or test center.
Score reports to 5th and 6th college choices	$20	Requests need to be made online before the test date. This is refundable on written request if you do not take the test.
Additional Score Reports	$20	Requests for additional score reports after registration.
Score Verification	$67	For multiple-choice tests.
		$67	For Writing Test.
		$134	For both sections
Test Information Release	$34	If requested before the test begins.
Test Information Release		$42	If requested after the test.

Can I register for the ACT after the deadline?

Before the registration deadline, you can take the ACT without having to pay a late fee. If you miss the registration deadline, you'll have to pay a $40 late fee to take the exam.

If you register after the late registration deadline, you can also opt for standby testing by paying a fee of $72. The standby testing period starts immediately after the late registration deadline and lasts until 8 days before the test date. However, requests for standby space are only provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and the acceptance of test applications is not guaranteed.

Who Is Eligible for the ACT Test?

Applicants do not need to meet specific requirements to take the ACT. However, students need to know a few things before taking the test. Refer to the following table for more information about the ACT eligibility criteria.

ACT Test Parameters	Details
ACT Eligibility	No fixed criteria
Age Limit	No maximum age limit
Number of attempts for the ACT	Up to 12 times
Educational Eligibility Criteria	No particular academic criteria
ID Proof	Official government-issued ID card or your current school ID

ACT Test Centers

Students who are taking the ACT in the U.S. can visit the ACT Test Center page to find nearby testing locations by following these steps:

Select your state from the drop-down menu. Selecting your city name and test center is optional.
Click “Search” once all the details are filled.

The list of test centers in your state will appear. You can choose your preferred test center according to your test date.

The ACT test plays a crucial role in measuring students’ aptitude and college readiness, giving colleges the insights they need to evaluate applicants. To boost your confidence and performance on test day, start with an ACT question bank or try a full-length ACT mock test. You can also explore a free ACT practice test to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types — an important step toward achieving your dream college goals.

ACT® Registration – Test Dates & Cost for 2026–2027