ACT Registration, Important Dates, and Logistics

Article Type: Tasty Bits

If you're interested in taking the ACT, follow the ACT's Instructions to snag yourself a spot for the big day. We've also got the breakdown below of all the steps you'll need to register, just in case you get lost along the way.

Most students take the ACT at their high school, but if yours doesn't offer it or you're home-schooled, use the ACT's Test Center Locator. It's no Google Maps, but if you have a general sense of which high schools are located closest to you, you should be able to find one that's convenient.

The ACT likes having its paper scratched and tickled with a freshly-sharpened No. 2 pencil, so prepare to interact with the test analog-style.

We're back in the digital era once it comes to receiving your scores, though. The ACT will post your scores online typically within two to eight weeks of your test date. They'll also send a report to your high school and up to six colleges (if you specified where you wanted your scores sent).

The score report doesn't just tell you your magic number (a.k.a. your composite score); the ACT will also provide a personalized horoscope…er, assessment of your skills and knowledge…for all your college and career planning needs. Unfortunately, the good folks at ACT haven't yet learned to take into account the alignment of the sun and stars in their predictions about your future.

When are the test dates and registration deadlines for 2018-2019?

Great question, Shmooper. We've heard showing up is half the battle, and while that's not exactly true when you're staring down a four-hour exam, it is important to know when to show up. Here are the testing dates for the 2018-2019 school year and their corresponding registration deadlines.

Hopefully, the handy-dandy chart above should help you avoid procrastinating. In the event that you miss not only the registration deadline, but the late fee period as well, don’t freak out! All is not lost. The ACT offers standby testing. The standby testing process involves paying an additional fee, printing off a bunch of stuff, and showing up on Test Day to see if there’s an open spot for you—at that point, it’s not guaranteed.

Basically, it'd be a huge headache and we'd do just about anything possible to avoid that scenario, but it's at least nice to know the standby option exists. If you find yourself in need of the standby option, be sure to log in to your ACT account and request standby testing during one of the periods on the chart below.

How many times can I take the ACT?

You can take the ACT up to 12 times. If you have a solid study plan, taking the test more than once could potentially increase your score, especially since you'll be more familiar with the time limits and testing procedures your second time around. We recommend planning to take it twice, and only going in for round three if you're sure the results aren't an accurate reflection of your abilities.

However, we honestly can't think of a reason to take the ACT more than 4-5 times—and even that's pushing it—let alone a full dozen. Remember that you have to pay a new registration fee each time you take the test, so taking the ACT with Writing 12 times would set you back $804. Surely there are other ways you could spend that money to improve your scores on Test No. 3 or 4 instead of just retesting ad nauseum.

Any state- or district-required ACT testing does not count toward your total, nor do any tests you might have taken as a wunderkind in an academic talent search program. With all that said, if for some reason you just can't get enough of the ACT and would like to take it more than 12 times, fill out this Retest Exception Request.

How much does it cost to take the ACT?

The basic ACT—English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science—costs $50.50 for one test administration during the 2018-2019 school year. If you'd like to include the optional Writing Test, it's $67. Unfortunately there are no "buy 2, get 1 free" discounts on the ACT, so if you plan to take the test multiple times, you'll pay those fees each time.

If you're not sure you can afford the fees, check in with your guidance counselor for options. Some schools may cover the basic registration fee for all of their students, and some states have voucher programs in place to help students afford the test. You also may qualify for an ACT fee waiver. 

How do I register for the ACT online?

First things first: If you don’t already have an ACT Web account, go to this website and create one. Once that's done, gather some supplies: 

• Your high school course details: You won't need to share your exact grades during this process, but you will need to know your GPA, class rank/size, and the names of the courses you've taken throughout high school.
• A headshot: This photo helps test proctors verify students’ identity on Test Day, so if you're concerned that the ultra-competitive kid in your homeroom might send his Harvard-educated brother to take the test in his place, worry no more. Visit this link for more information about the specific requirements for appropriate ID photos.
• A credit card: Education is priceless, but the ACT is not.
• A computer with internet access: Wait, how are you reading this if you don't have that already?

Since colleges and scholarship programs want to know as much information as possible about their prospective students, this registration process does take a while. Be sure you have around 40 minutes to sit down, focus, and complete it. Basically, don't try to do it in the hectic transition between your 4:30 Model UN meeting and your 5:15 pep rally. Ready? Okay!

Getting Started with the Registration Process

1. Login to the site and enter your demographic information. That sounds like a fancy word but it actually just means basic background information like your name, address, and a list of your five most impressive achievements (just kidding on that last one). You also have the option to enter an email address for your parent or guardian so that they can receive testing updates. The folks at the ACT are very clear that entering a parent email does not mean your parents can make changes to your account or see your scores, just in case you're concerned your mom might accidentally change your testing center to Siberia or something. Editor's note: There are no testing centers in Siberia.
2. On the next page, you'll enter your high school's code. It's helpful to have this already, and if you've received any information about the ACT from your teachers or guidance counselors, it's likely on there. However, if you don't know it, you can search for and select your high school's code right there on the registration page. The folks at ACT are thoughtful that way.
3. Next, on the Your Information Page, you'll fill in the information that will help you have the best testing experience possible, including whether or not you need special accommodations, whether you're right-handed or left-handed, and whether you want to be enrolled in EOS (more on that in just a minute).

Optional Steps to Registering for the ACT

Tired yet? There are a ton more steps, but the next few are optional. Skip these if you're crunched for time. The ACT just wants to get some data on who is taking the test, but you don't owe them anything. The pages they cover provide potential colleges with a more robust snapshot of your skills, interests, and background, which could come in handy if you don't want to be judged solely by your ACT scores. The information you share in this optional section could also help you find better financial aid or scholarship opportunities, so we'd recommend filling it out as much as possible.

Telling the ACT so much about yourself is optional, but it'll make them better matchmakers when you're deciding which universities to apply to.

• After that's done, you'll enter information about your time in high school so far, including your class size, rank, and GPA. Select the number of years you've taken the core subjects listed and be sure to note if any of those courses were honors, accelerated or AP level. Thankfully, you won't need to enter any specific course names or grades, so if you didn't do so well in Intro to the History of Spanish Flamenco Dancing, you can just classify that as a Spanish course and move on.
• The next few screens will ask about your housing plans, your ideal college size, the factors that matter most to you in choosing a college, and so on. These questions might seem odd when all you're trying to do is sign up for a test, but this information helps you "match" with potential colleges, especially schools that might not be on your radar. Fill out this section and watch the pamphlets of smiling, demographically-diverse groups of college kids start pouring into your mailbox.
• Continue your college speed dating profile with information about any extracurricular activities you've done throughout high school and/or whether you're interested in colleges that offer certain activities.
• Time for a reality check: Let potential colleges know how you plan to finance your education, whether that's through student loans, scholarships, employment, or a mysterious kindly neighbor who secretly invented the Scantron and is passing his fortune on to you (lucky). You'll also need to know the approximate total income of your parents. Again, all of this information helps colleges determine the best financial aid package for you.
• The ACT wants to know about on any religious affiliation you may have, the languages you speak at home, and the education level of your parents. We know it's kind of odd that this section isn't included with the rest of the demographic information, but the separation makes it easier for relevant scholarship programs to find candidates like you.
• Stay on board the scholarship train by tooting your own horn, a.k.a. listing your out-of-class accomplishments. The ACT only gives students the option to select from a set list of accomplishments, so don't feel bad if none of them apply to you. Your award for "Most Coffee Consumed While Studying" at the local Starbucks is still cool even if you can't brag about it here.
• On the next screen, you'll answer a lightning round of questions about your potential interests. Again, this section is all about matching you to potential colleges, so there are no right or wrong answers here. If you don't enjoy using a lawnmower, watching forest fires, or assembling a cabinet from written instructions (three actual interests listed on this part of the ACT), there's no shame in admitting it. Just answer honestly so colleges can help you choose a major you'll enjoy—and if you select the cabinet assembly thing, be prepared for a huge welcome packet from IKEA University.

Final Steps in Registering for the ACT

For the love of Shmoop, it is finally time to get pack to the required parts of the registration process and to pick a test date.

1. Skip ahead to section Your Test Selection using the navigation sidebar to the left. Here you'll be picking the venue for your big multiple-choice performance on test day. Scan every single word of the Terms & Conditions like we all do for our smartphones and Bluetooth-enabled dishwashers, then continue to the next screen where the ACT provides upcoming test dates.
2. Ensure that your photo meets the acceptable guidelines on the next page. Spend some time making up stories about the models in the stock photos if you feel like it, but do not spend time looking for an upload button. This page does not have that capability. The ACT creators just really wanted to remind everyone of the photo requirements. It's a bit weird, but just move on.
3. Confirm your test date, your high school's name, and your grade level. The next page asks students to specify the courses they took (or are planning to take) in various subjects. This information helps colleges determine your preparation level, a.k.a. if you know all the things they want their incoming freshman class to know. Fill in your course bubbles accordingly, and don't forget to select courses that you'll take before your high school graduation—no matter what grade you're currently in—in the "Have Not Taken But Will" column.
4. It's time to select the colleges and scholarship programs where you'd like the ACT to send your official scores. Click the "Add a Choice" button to find the codes for the schools you're interested in. You can select up to four options for free, and you can add a fifth and sixth option to this online application "for a small fee." This screen won't tell you any more information than that, but we've done extensive research to determine that additional score reports cost $13. Be sure to put all of your selections in the correct "priority order" so that your top choices get your score reports before, say, Greendale Community College. P.S. If you'd like to send more than six score reports, stay tuned to find out how.
5. In case you didn't feel like your interest level in watching forest fires (callback joke!) was indicative of your actual plans for the future, the next screen asks students to select a major. Don't stress about this; your choice doesn't automatically lock you in to any particular program of study. It's simply another way for potential colleges to send you information about majors to consider. Just pick an area of study and potential career you might enjoy. On the next screen, you can select your level of certainty about those choices, and like most questions during this registration process, there's no right or wrong answer.
6. You're coming down the home stretch, and all that's really left to do is decide where you'll display your college-ready skills. Use any of the search features on the next page to find available testing centers in your area, then select the most convenient option for you.
7. Check your registration—your personal and high school information, the test type/date/location you selected, and where the ACT should send your score reports. Actually, go ahead and double-check this page to avoid any unnecessary headaches on Test Day.
8. Verify that all of the fees on the payment page are correct, then scan once more through the ACT's official test prep products just in case you've changed your mind about ordering them in the last 14 minutes. Finally, enter your (or, more likely, your parents') credit card information and hit Submit.
9. Your registration is technically complete, but on the final screen, you'll see a giant reminder about uploading your ID photo. You'll have some time to do this (until about a week before Test Day) if you haven't found the perfect picture yet, but it's probably best to just go ahead and upload your photo now if at all possible.

Phew, you did it! You're officially registered for the ACT. We know that was a long haul, but hey, it's small potatoes compared to the exam itself. No worries about that either—Shmoop has strategies galore for surviving this behemoth test. (Unfortunately, they don't involve potatoes.) 

When should I register for the ACT?

Since the goal of the ACT is to show off your smarts for potential colleges and scholarship programs, we'll work backwards from that goal to answer this question. (Insert rewind noise)

Most students begin applying for colleges and scholarships in the fall of their senior year. You need ACT scores to send with those applications. Therefore, in an ideal world, you should register for—and, you know, actually take—the ACT before your senior year of high school, allowing some time for the ACT to process your magnificent scores and return them to you. For this reason, the spring semester of junior year (Grade 11) is a very popular time to take the ACT, and many school districts provide juniors with information about upcoming ACT test dates and locations. We recommend registering about three months before your test date so that you can be sure to snag a spot at the most convenient testing center. That means you should register for the ACT in the winter of your junior year.

With all that said, there's nothing set in stone that mandates that you must take the ACT junior year. If you take the test freshman year and knock it out of the park, that score counts just as much as the scores of your classmates who take the exam junior or senior year.

Fun-slash-intimidating fact: Even 13-year-olds are eligible to register for the ACT online. If you're in the 12-and-younger set of aspiring ACT takers, there's a special form for that, you adorable little smarty pants.

Other Registration Concerns

Special circumstances call for special answers to special questions. We're here to answer your questions on all the ins-and-outs and what-ifs about the logistics of taking the ACT.

Can I pay for the ACT by check?

Yes, although you won't be able to use your butter churn during the snack break. We kid, but in the event that you would prefer not to (or are not able to) use the ACT's secure online payment system, you can write a check. However, forgoing the convenience of the online system means giving it up completely—you'll have to request a paper registration packet and mail the entire thing to the ACT. Speaking of which...

How do I register by mail?

Ironically, the process of registering by mail still starts online. Go to the Individual Register-by-Mail Packet Request page and fill out a short form so the ACT knows where to send your registration packet. This registration method requires some advance planning because it will take 7-10 business days for your packet to be delivered.

Once it's in your hands, you must fill it out (obviously) and return it. To avoid late fees, your return package must be shipped before the registration deadline. If it's not postmarked before then, the ACT will hold your scores hostage until you pay your late fees, and nobody wants to go through that.

Our point is this: If you're cutting it close to the registration deadline for your test date, online registration is your friend. Actually, registering online is just a much friendlier process all around, but we understand some people might not be able to do so. 

How do I make changes to my ACT registration?

To make changes to your registration, log in to your ACT Web account and click...err, "Make Changes to My Registration." That seems pretty self-explanatory. (Note: If you haven't actually finished your registration yet, you'll need to complete it before you'll see the option to make changes.)

Here's a list of the options you can change online:

• Adding or removing the writing test
• Changing your test date or location
• Updating your personal information
• Adding, changing, or re-prioritizing your college choices
• Correcting your high school code

Of course, the online platform isn't all-powerful, so if you'd like to change your accommodation requests or have other things you'd like to change (no, you can't change your scores), we definitely recommend calling the ACT and speaking to an actual human for advice on how to do so.

What happens if I miss the ACT test?

That depends on why you miss the test, so here's a rundown of the options:

• If your testing center has to reschedule due to unforeseen events like a thunderstorm, a blizzard, or impromptu musical numbers breaking out in the gymnasium, the ACT will alert you via email as soon as a new test date is finalized. If you're not able to attend the rescheduled test date, call ACT Customer Care and ask them to help you change your registration to a different date. You won't be charged any additional fees in these circumstances since rescheduling wasn't your idea—unless your mom is Mother Nature or something.
• If bad weather prohibits you from getting to the testing center but that center remains open, call ACT Student Services at 319.337.1270 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. central time). You'll pay a Test Date Change fee ($30) to reschedule your test, but you won't be charged any other fees. Please don't put yourself in danger to take this exam; you can't spell caution without the letters A-C-T.
• If you miss the test due to illness, injury, late arrival or lack of ID, log in to your ACT Web account and select "Make Changes to Your Registration." Select a new test date—if the registration deadline for that date has already passed, be prepared to pay a late fee ($30) in addition to the Test Date Change fee (another $30). In a confusing twist, you'll also pay the full test fee again, but your original test fee will be refunded to you once your new transaction is complete. One would think there'd be an easier way to make that exchange, but hey, we don't make the rules. You can also call ACT Registration and enlist their help to sort things out.

How do I cancel my ACT test? Are there penalties for canceling?

You can cancel your ACT test through your ACT Web account, or call the ACT at 319.337.1270. If you've suddenly decided you'd rather buy a new skateboard than take the ACT, you should find a different way to save money because most ACT fees are non-refundable. Those non-refundable fees include the basic registration fee and any additional service fees like late registrations or test center changes.

If you registered and paid for for any optional services, like the ACT Writing Test or score reports for a 5th and 6th college code, you can request a refund for those. The refund process involves writing letters, mailing unused test tickets, and possibly carrier pigeons, so we'll direct you to the official ACT fees page for details.

Where will I take the ACT?

Here's the short answer: Wherever you want.

Here's the longer answer: When you register for the ACT, enter a zip code and the magical Internet elves will show you all the potential test centers in that region on whatever test date you've selected. Choose whichever testing center is most convenient for you and voilà!  Your information will be sent to that testing center once you're done registering. 

Fun fact: There's no rule that says you must choose a testing center that's closest to you. If you'll be three hours away for your cousin Kenzie's dance recital or on vacation in Hawaii when you'd like to take the ACT, you can register in that location. Check out potential testing center options on the Test Center Locator page.

How do I apply for special accommodations for the ACT? Do I qualify? When are the deadlines?

To apply for special accommodations, log in to your ACT Web account and select Register to Test. On the very first screen, you'll be asked if you need accommodations or support. Just check yes, complete the rest of your registration, and the head honchos at the ACT will send you an email with further instructions. Once your school has submitted the accommodations request, the ACT will confirm or deny the request within two weeks.

On that note, since the registration process is fundamentally the same for students with or without accommodations, the registration deadlines are also the same. Scroll up to the top of this page for more information on those deadlines.

The qualification process is also pretty self-explanatory: If you receive accommodations in school for a documented, diagnosed disability, you qualify for test accommodations. If English is not your first language, you can also request additional English learner supports. While we're 99.7% sure that bringing your emotional support lemur into the testing center won't be allowed, there may be other instances where students could qualify for accommodations, so talk to your guidance counselor if you're not sure.

Many students who require accommodations can still take the ACT alongside their peers at a National Testing Center. For students who require more support, the ACT also offers special testing days.

How do I obtain a fee waiver for the ACT? Do I qualify for a fee waiver?

Most high school students aren't exactly swimming in extra cash, so for those who can't afford the ACT fees, the organization offers waivers. The waiver covers the basic ACT registration fee, four college/scholarship program choices, some official ACT test prep materials, and up to 20 additional score reports.

The waiver does not cover a late registration fee, test date or test center changes, the standby testing fee, or "any other services"—we have no idea what another service could possibly be. Maybe it's an "I just took the ACT and all I got was this T-shirt and the chance to discover educational opportunities for my future" shirt. In any case, the waiver doesn't cover that cost.

If you'd like to apply, ask your guidance counselor for the fee waiver form. He or she can also help you determine whether or not you meet all of the eligibility requirements:

1. You're a current 11th or 12th grade high school student
2. You're taking the ACT in the United States, U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico. 
3. You demonstrate at least one "indicator of economic need," such as living in foster care or federally subsidized housing, participating in a federal program for the economically disadvantaged, or qualifying for free/reduced cost school lunches.

Again, students must meet all three criteria to qualify for a waiver. Once you've been approved, you're eligible to use two separate fee waivers, which is super helpful if you decide to retest. It's important to note that your fee waiver is used when you register, so if you end up missing your registered test date, unfortunately you'll use up one of the those two waivers.

How do I send my scores to colleges?

Applying to college is already expensive enough, so the ACT helpfully offers to send your score reports to four colleges or scholarship programs for free. All you have to do is enter their school or program codes on the Your College Choices page when you register. If you're applying to more schools or scholarship programs than that, you can add a fifth and sixth score report to your online registration for $13 each.

If you need more than six score reports, you must submit an Additional Score Report request and pay those fees as well. Since you seem like a fan of having multiple options, we're sure you'll appreciate this: You can either submit the score report request online through your ACT Web account or by filling out this form and mailing it to the appropriate ACT office.

What is the EOS and should I opt-in?

In addition to being the name of that cool spherical lip balm in every Target checkout aisle, EOS stands for the ACT's Educational Opportunity Service. Essentially, opting in gives ACT the authority to release your information to its own network of colleges and scholarship programs. If that sounds Big Brother-esque, it shouldn't. The EOS is really just a way for lesser-known colleges and scholarship programs to recruit students.

On the flip side, if you want to keep your options open for future colleges or would love to find additional ways to finance your education, the EOS is an awesome resource for that. Plus, you'll look super important and in demand when all those college pamphlets start showing up in your mailbox, and that's always fun. We'd certainly opt in if we were taking the ACT, but the decision is up to you. 

ACT is a federally registered trademark of ACT, Inc. Shmoop University is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT, Inc.

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