The Tennessee ACT, spring 2027: what juniors need
To receive a regular high school diploma, every student enrolled in a Tennessee public school in grade 11 must take the ACT or the SAT. Each district chooses which test to give, and some offer both. The state-sponsored ACT testing day includes Science. Spring 2027 junior testing runs in three windows between March 9 and April 16, 2027.
Updated October 30, 2026 with facts read on tn.gov.
VelaScience is on Tennessee's testing day. So it goes on your practice plan too.
Everything about the state test on this page comes from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), read on October 30, 2026: the rule for juniors, the spring 2027 windows, what the state funds, and why Science matters. Then a free practice path that covers every section, Science included.
- 11gradeACT or SAT required for a regular diplomaSource: TDOE
- 3windowsMarch 9 to April 16, 2027Source: TDOE
- YesScienceon the state-sponsored testing daySource: TDOE
- +1retakeTISA funds the grade 11 test and one retakeSource: TDOE
Math, English, Science: one question each.
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The rule: the ACT or SAT in grade 11
“To receive a regular high school diploma, all students enrolled in a Tennessee public school during their eleventh (11) grade year must take either the ACT or SAT.”
TDOE, College Readiness Testing, read October 30, 2026.
Your district decides which test you take at school. TDOE says districts may give the ACT or the SAT, or offer both and let students choose.
The score matters past graduation. TDOE notes that eligibility for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship is based on ACT or SAT results.
When: spring 2027 junior testing windows
TDOE's 2026-27 testing calendar lists three windows for spring 2027 junior testing. Each one is a set of school weeks, and your district picks the day.
- First windowMarch 9 to 12 and March 15 to 19, 2027NextOpen nowDone
- Second windowMarch 23 to 26 and March 29 to April 2, 2027NextOpen nowDone
- Third windowApril 6 to 9 and April 12 to 16, 2027NextOpen nowDone
Fall 2026 senior retake: first senior window September 29 to October 9, 2026; second senior window October 13 to 23, 2026; third senior window October 27 to November 6, 2026.
Districts set their own testing schedules inside these windows, and TDOE notes the calendar is subject to change. Ask your counselor for your school's day. From TDOE, TCAP Calendar 2026-27 School Year, read October 30, 2026.
Science is on the state testing day
“State-sponsored testing day will continue to include science.”
TDOE, 2026-27 Federal Accountability Protocol, read October 30, 2026.
That line is from TDOE's 2026-27 accountability protocol. The same document says only tests with science scores count toward the college and career readiness measure TDOE uses for schools. So on the school-day ACT, plan for Science the way you plan for the other sections.
What the state funds
“Students generate funding for the cost of the initial test opportunity in 11th grade and one retake opportunity.”
TDOE, 2026-27 TISA Guide, read October 30, 2026.
That is from TDOE's 2026-27 guide to TISA, the state's school funding formula, which includes direct funding for students to take the ACT in 11th or 12th grade. TDOE's calendar also lists fall senior retake windows, the last one running October 27 to November 6, 2026. Ask your counselor how your school schedules the retake.
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.
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.
Step 2: Give Science real reps
TDOE says the state-sponsored ACT testing day includes Science, so give it the same reps as the other three.
Voltage Decline in Three Battery Chemistries6 questions on reading data and calculation→Egg Buoyancy in Salt and Sugar Solutions7 questions on comparing experiments and estimation→Three Models of Lunar Origin7 questions on viewpoints and calculation→All 240 Science questions, free36 Science sets with data, experiments and competing viewpoints. Every answer explained.
Step 3: Run a full timed test
Two of Prep36’s 6 full-length timed tests are free, with a Science section. Keep Science in when you take a full timed test, because the school day includes it.
See the 2 free timed testsStep 4: Writing: the essay
The TDOE pages we read do not say whether Writing is part of the school-day ACT. Ask your counselor before you spend time on it.
Writing practice on Prep36 is a paid feature. It is part of Max, $30 a month on our pricing page: original prompts, a 40 minute timed writing room and the four-domain rubric for self-scoring. Steps 1 to 3 stay free.
See the Writing module
Free help Tennessee points to
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 Tennessee state test on this page was read on TDOE’s own pages on October 30, 2026. TDOE can change dates and rules, so confirm with your school counselor.
- TDOE, College Readiness Testing: https://www.tn.gov/education/districts/lea-operations/assessment/act-sat.html
- TDOE, TCAP Calendar 2026-27 School Year (linked from TDOE's Testing Dates page): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/events/2026-27_TCAP_Testing_Calendar_Final.pdf
- TDOE, 2026-27 Federal Accountability Protocol (July 2026): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/accountability/2026-27_Federal_Accountability_Protocol.pdf
- TDOE, 2026-27 TISA Guide (updated August 12, 2026): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/tisa-resources/2026-27_TISA_Guide.pdf
Frequently asked questions
Do all Tennessee juniors have to take the ACT?
When is the spring 2027 junior ACT in Tennessee?
Is Science on the Tennessee school-day ACT?
Does Tennessee fund an ACT retake?
Is there free ACT prep in Tennessee?
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