The best unofficial prep for the ACT.

Registration for the ACT typically takes place online and costs $68 (for the standard Reading, Math, and English sections), which includes a report for you, your high school, and up to four colleges. You will enter codes for each of these schools when you register. To include the Science section, add $4, and to include the Writing section, add $25. There are also late, change, and non-refundable fees, so it’s best to double check your test date and location before you register.

• Bring an approved photo ID and your printed pre-registration ticket.

• Bring your own sharpened, soft lead No. 2 pencils with good erasers. Other kinds of writing instruments (such as mechanical pens, ink pens, and highlight pens) are not allowed. If you registered for the ACT Plus Writing, you will be required to use a pencil for that, too.

• You may bring a four-function, scientific or graphing calculator to the testing room for your own use, but only for the Math section of the test. Sharing calculators is not allowed. Some types of calculators are prohibited.

• Bringing a watch or timer (without an alarm) is also recommended, so you can keep track of your time.

• Snacks, if desired, can be eaten outside of the testing room during the break.

Your ACT score will fall within a point range between 1 and 36 for each of the three mandatory testing areas: English, Reading, and Mathematics. These three scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number to create your Composite Score. When colleges ask for your results, they are typically referring to this composite amount. Currently, the national average composite score is approximately 19.4.

Optional Section Scoring

• Science: If you choose to take the optional Science section, you will receive a separate score between 1 and 36. While this does not factor into your Composite score, it is required if you wish to receive an official STEM score (the average of your Math and Science results).

• Writing: If you take the optional Writing section, your essay is scored on a scale of 2 to 12. This does not affect your Composite score, but it is used to calculate your ELA (English Language Arts) score.

The Guessing Rule: The ACT imposes no penalty for guessing. You should never leave a question blank; even a random guess provides a chance to increase your score.

Your Score Report

Your report contains more than just a single number. It includes:

• ACT Readiness Range: A visual indicator showing if your score meets the “benchmark” for success in college-level courses.

• Career Connector: Summaries and Interest-Major Fit data based on the interest inventory you complete during registration. These help you match your academic strengths with potential career paths.

Superscoring

The ACT allows superscoring, which automatically calculates the average of your best subject scores across multiple test attempts. This allows you to submit your strongest possible “package” to colleges by focusing on improving one specific subject at a time.

Example of an Enhanced ACT Superscore (Post-2025):

\[\begin{array}{|l|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{ACT Section} & \textbf{Test Attempt 1} & \textbf{Test Attempt 2} & \textbf{Highest Score} \\ \hline \text{English} & 28 & 31 & \mathbf{31} \\ \text{Reading} & 29 & 30 & \mathbf{30} \\ \text{Mathematics} & 28 & 25 & \mathbf{28} \\ \hline \textbf{Composite Score} & \frac{28+29+28}{3} = \mathbf{28} & \frac{31+30+25}{3} = \mathbf{29} & \text{---} \\ \hline \end{array}\] \[\textbf{Final Superscore Calculation: } \frac{31 + 30 + 28}{3} = 29.66 \approx \mathbf{30}\]

Think of taking the ACT as an important step toward your life goal of securing your chosen job. If you score well on test day, your chances of gaining proper college training for that job increase. Employers look for people with the best, most complete training. Having a degree from a college, with a strong program in your chosen field, will be a huge asset. There is no end to the employment opportunities that will be open to you with a specialized college education.

Students of every age and grade level are eligible to take the ACT, but students under the age of 13 cannot register online. They must request a registration packet from the test producers. This request may be made online through the official ACT site.

Many students take the test in April of their junior year, but if you want to allow time to retake the test, it is best to take it earlier. You may only take the ACT a total of 12 times, and this includes any tests that were canceled by you or the ACT testing service. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so check with the ACT organization if you have questions.

Your ACT scores matter because they are part of the total package that decides whether or not you are admitted to the college of your choice. A good test score can mean the difference between getting into the school you want and settling for a lesser one.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has established that the median yearly income for those with a bachelor’s degree is 63% higher than those with only a high school diploma.

The ACT is offered nationally seven times a year: September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Individual states or areas may eliminate the February and July test dates. For the 2026-2027 school year, the remaining test dates are as follows:

• June 13, 2026

• July 11, 2026

• September 19, 2026

• October 17, 2026

• December 12, 2026

• February 27, 2027

• April 10, 2027

• June 12, 2027

• July 10, 2027

There are strict deadlines for registering, and this must be done about five weeks in advance of the actual test date. You can incur late or change fees, so plan your testing schedule well in advance. Approved testing centers nearest to your location are listed by state—most states having at least a few geographic areas to accommodate test-takers from all regions. Special accommodations are offered for students who have disabilities, students who are homebound, or students who have religious date conflicts.

Time allowed for the test sections is as follows:

• English—35 minutes for 50 questions

• Reading—40 minutes for 36 questions

• Math—50 minutes for 45 questions

• Science—40 minutes for 40 questions

• Writing (optional)—40 minutes to write one essay (no change)

The total time to complete the three core subjects (English, Reading, and Mathematics) will be approximately two hours and five minutes plus short breaks. If the optional Science section is included, the total testing time will increase to about two hours and 45 minutes plus short breaks. Adding the optional Writing section will extend the testing time to approximately three hours and 25 minutes plus short breaks. (A short break is given after each subject test.)