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State test guide: Illinois

The Illinois ACT, spring 2027: what juniors take

Every Illinois grade 11 student takes the ACT + Science + Writing at school in spring 2027 (or the DLM-AA alternate assessment), unless exempt. ISBE says Science and Writing are not optional for state testing. Schools test inside one of three test events: March 23 to April 2, April 6 to 16, or April 20 to 30, 2027.

Updated October 30, 2026 with facts read on isbe.net.

VelaScience and Writing are on your Illinois test. So they go on your practice plan too.

Everything about the state test on this page comes from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), read on October 30, 2026: who takes the state ACT, what is on it, when it happens, and what the scores can be used for. Then a free practice path that covers every section, Science included.

On this page
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Math, English, Science: one question each.

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What is on the Illinois state ACT

“Science and Writing are not optional for Spring 2027 Illinois state testing.”

ISBE, High School Assessment (ACT + Science + Writing, PreACT Secure, PreACT 9 Secure), read October 30, 2026.

ISBE calls it the ACT + Science + Writing: tests in English, math, reading, science and writing. You may see it called ACT + Science on some pages, and ISBE says that whatever the name, the state administration includes both Science and Writing. School staff give it online, and paper testing is available if a student needs it as an accommodation.

Younger students take the warm-up versions: grade 9 takes the PreACT 9 Secure and grade 10 takes the PreACT Secure, each with English, math, reading and science.

Your test day, to scale

The Illinois test day205minutes of testingplus a 15 minute break after math
  1. English50 questions35 min
  2. Math45 questions50 min
  3. Breakafter math15
  4. Reading36 questions40 min
  5. Science40 questions40 min
  6. Writing1 essay40 min
Standard time on a single day, from ISBE's Spring 2027 timing chart. Schools may also schedule Science and Writing more flexibly. Source: ISBE, Spring 2027 Test Timing and Item Count Charts, read October 30, 2026. Minutes are standard time; accommodations change them.

Science is a full 40 minutes and Writing is another 40, so the state test runs well past the three sections that make the Composite. Practice the last two hours, not just the first.

When: three test events in spring 2027

ISBE schedules the spring 2027 ACT + Science + Writing in three test events. Testing can happen on any day inside the event your school picks, and a student who tests over several days has to start and finish inside the same event.

Spring 2027 test events
  1. Test event 1March 23 to April 2, 2027NextOpen nowDone
  2. Test event 2April 6 to 16, 2027NextOpen nowDone
  3. Test event 3April 20 to 30, 2027NextOpen nowDone

Your school picks the test event and the day inside it. Ask your counselor which day is yours. From ISBE, 2026-27 Illinois State Assessment Dates, read October 30, 2026.

Who has to take it

“Grade 11 students enrolled on any day during the spring testing window are required to participate in the appropriate state assessment, ACT + Science + Writing or DLM-AA, unless exempt.”

ISBE, Grade 12 ACT and DLM-AA: Who must test?, read October 30, 2026.

Seniors are different. ISBE says grade 12 students do not automatically take the spring test. A senior is put on the spring 2027 roster only if they do not already have a valid grade 11 or 12 score, or a qualifying exemption, from an earlier ISBE administration.

Do the scores count for college?

They can. ISBE says scores from the ACT + Science + Writing, taken with ACT standard time or ACT-approved accommodations, can be used for college admission, scholarships and NCAA eligibility. That makes the school-day test a real attempt, not a dress rehearsal.

If you do not want a state score to be college reportable, ISBE describes a temporary option: school staff can ask ISBE, on your behalf, to change your scores to non-college reportable after testing and before scores are released. Those scores cannot be used for college or scholarships.

A practice path that includes Science

Four steps, in this order. Steps 1 to 3 are free on Prep36 with no account needed to start. Step 4 is the one paid piece, and it is labelled.

  1. FreeTonight

    Step 1: Find your weakest section

    One set in each section, Science included. Whichever one costs you the most is where the next two weeks go.

    English300 free questionsMath270 free questionsReading216 free questionsScience240 free questions
  2. FreeRequired in Illinois

    Step 2: Give Science real reps

    ISBE lists Science at 40 questions in 40 minutes on the state test. It is not optional in Illinois.

    Voltage Decline in Three Battery Chemistries6 questions on reading data and calculationEgg Buoyancy in Salt and Sugar Solutions7 questions on comparing experiments and estimationThree Models of Lunar Origin7 questions on viewpoints and calculation
    All 240 Science questions, free

    36 Science sets with data, experiments and competing viewpoints. Every answer explained.

  3. Free

    Step 3: Run a full timed test

    Two of Prep36’s 6 full-length timed tests are free, with a Science section. Time it the way ISBE's chart does: Science gets the same 40 minutes as Reading.

    See the 2 free timed tests

Free official practice ISBE links

The ACT + Science + Writing Online Practice TestLinked from ISBE's page. ISBE notes that no login is needed: choose Practice Tests on the sign-on page.On isbe.net ↗Preparing for the ACT TestLinked from ISBE's page: a full-length practice ACT + Science + Writing test with test-taking strategies, plus a Spanish version.On isbe.net ↗

Testing on a national date before spring? ACT test dates has every deadline, and the free December 12 Cram Kit fits on a few printed pages.

Sources

Every fact about the Illinois state test on this page was read on ISBE’s own pages on October 30, 2026. ISBE can change dates and rules, so confirm with your school counselor.

Frequently asked questions

Is Science optional on the Illinois state ACT?
No. ISBE says Science and Writing are not optional for spring 2027 Illinois state testing. The state administration includes English, math, reading, science and writing.
When is the Illinois state ACT in 2027?
ISBE lists three test events: March 23 to April 2, April 6 to 16, and April 20 to 30, 2027. Your school schedules testing on a day inside its event, so your counselor has your exact date.
How long is the Illinois state ACT?
On ISBE's standard time chart: English 35 minutes, math 50, reading 40, science 40 and writing 40. That is 205 minutes of testing, with a 15 minute break after math.
Do Illinois seniors take the state ACT?
Not automatically. ISBE puts a senior on the spring 2027 roster only if they do not already have a valid grade 11 or 12 score, or a qualifying exemption, from an earlier ISBE administration.
Can I send my Illinois state ACT score to colleges?
Yes, when you test with ACT standard time or ACT-approved accommodations. ISBE says those scores can be used for college admission, scholarships and NCAA eligibility.
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