If you are figuring out when to take the ACT, this is your one-stop guide to the ACT test dates for 2026-2027. Below you will find every US national test date, its registration deadline, what the exam costs, how to sign up at act.org, and a simple method for choosing a date and planning your study backward from it. Whether you are a sophomore mapping out a testing timeline or a senior fitting in one last attempt before applications, a little planning now saves a lot of stress later. Always confirm the current dates and deadlines on the official ACT website before you commit, since details can change.
Here are the US national ACT test dates for the 2026-2027 testing year, along with the regular registration deadline for each. These are national dates for students testing in the United States; international dates and school-day testing follow separate schedules.
Deadlines above are the regular registration cutoffs. Late registration is usually available for an added fee for a short window after each deadline. Because dates and deadlines can shift, always double-check the current schedule and register at act.org.
Registration costs depend on whether you add the optional Writing (essay) section:
These are approximate figures and fees change from year to year, so treat them as a planning estimate and confirm the exact amount at checkout on act.org. Additional charges can apply for late registration, changing your test date or test center, or ordering extra score reports. Fee waivers are available for eligible students who qualify based on financial need; ask your school counselor or check the official site to see whether you qualify.
Registration happens entirely online through your free ACT account. The basic steps look like this:
After you register, you will be able to print your admission ticket closer to test day. If you need accommodations for a documented disability, start that request early, because approval can take several weeks.
The best test date is one that gives you enough runway to prepare without colliding with other big commitments. Work backward from your college application deadlines, then build a study plan from there.
Once your date is set, work in reverse: take a full timed practice test early to find your baseline, spend the middle weeks fixing your weakest areas, then finish with a few more timed tests to build stamina and pacing. A tool like Prep36 includes a study planner to keep that schedule on track.
The current enhanced ACT is shorter than older versions, and its structure matters when you plan your study. Here is the breakdown:
Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Your composite score is the average of English, Math, and Reading. Science is now excluded from the composite and instead gives a separate STEM score, and the optional Writing essay is reported on its own. Check act.org for the latest scoring details, since the format continues to evolve.
Virtually all US colleges accept the ACT and the SAT equally, with no preference between them. Neither is universally easier; the better test depends on how you think and where your strengths are. A few differences to know:
If you are unsure which fits you better, take a timed practice test of each and compare how you feel. For exact current specifics, check the official ACT and SAT sites rather than relying on older summaries.
A superscore combines your best section scores from multiple ACT test dates into one higher composite. Many colleges superscore the ACT, but policies vary by school, so confirm how each of your target schools handles it before you plan multiple attempts.
Set yourself up for a calm morning. Bring these to the test center:
Phones are not allowed out during the test, so plan to put yours away. Arrive early to check in without rushing, and eat something beforehand so you can focus.
The single best way to raise your score is consistent, realistic practice. Prep36 gives you 1,000+ original practice questions (these are our own practice items, not real or official ACT questions; official practice tests live at act.org), 6 full timed tests, instant explanations, word banks, a daily challenge, and a study planner. The whole question bank is free, with Plus at $14 per month and Max at $30 per month if you want more. Pick your ACT test date, then start practicing free on Prep36 today.