Frequently Asked Questions
- Registering for the ACT—Find answers to your questions about signing up for the test, solutions to common registration problems, and information about special circumstances that may affect how you can register for the test.
- Taking the test—everything you need to know about preparing for the test, including details about what to expect on test day, acceptable identification, and permitted calculators.
- Scores—answers to common questions about score reports and score reporting schedules, sending your scores to additional organizations, and understanding your scores.
Signing up for the ACT
General questions about the ACT
- What is an ACT student Web account and why do I need one?
- What is the ACT?
- Who can take the ACT?
- What accommodations are available for students with disabilities?
- Why should I take the ACT?
- When are the test dates & registration deadlines?
- What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?
- When should I test?
- Are there any restrictions on how often I can test?
- How much does it cost to take the ACT?
- Can I get a copy of the test questions and answer key?
- I have questions about the optional Writing Test. Can you help?
Registration questions
- Can I take the ACT outside the U.S. or Canada?
- How do I pay when I register online?
- Is online registration secure for payment by credit card?
- How can I add/change/cancel my college choices/high school code?
- Can I change my test center or college choices AFTER I submit my registration?
- Why was I assigned to a test center that was not one of my original choices? How can I change this?
- I want to cancel my registration. Can I get a refund?
- How can I make changes to my registration?
- I've changed my mind about taking the ACT Writing Test. Can I add or remove it before test day?
- I can't test on the date I registered for online? What can I do?
Special circumstances
- Am I eligible for a fee waiver?
- Is non-Saturday testing available?
- Can homebound or confined students take the ACT?
- Is extended time allowed for examinees whose native language is not English?
- Is the ACT offered in languages other than English?
- Can junior high students take the ACT?
Taking the test
Test day
- What if I've lost or do not have my admission ticket?
- What should I take to the test center?
- What if I've missed the late registration deadline?
- Can I change my test center, test option, or test date on test day?
- What happens if there is bad weather on test day?
- What if I missed the test date I signed up for?
- What identification will I have to show at the test center?
- Should I test again?
- How do I get ready for test day?
- What calculators are permitted?
Test prep
- How do I prepare for the ACT?
- How many questions are asked and how long will the test take?
- What are some tips for successful testing?
- Which subject areas do the multiple-choice questions cover?
- How do I prepare for the ACT Writing test?
Scores
Viewing scores online
- How soon can I view my scores?
- Is there any way to see my scores sooner?
- Why can't I see my scores when I try to view them online?
- What can cause scores to take longer?
- Why are my multiple-choice scores available online before my Writing scores?
- After I see my scores, can I cancel reporting to colleges or my high school?
Getting scores
- I haven't received my score report yet. How long does it take?
- Can you give me my scores by phone, email, or fax?
- How can I get my scores more quickly?
- Why didn't my high school get my score report?
- Why can't a college locate my ACT scores?
- Where are my Test Information Release materials?
Sending scores
- How do I send my scores to others?
- What are my options for sending my scores to others and how much will it cost?
- Can I send my multiple-choice scores to colleges without the Writing scores?
- Can I send my Writing score without sending my multiple-choice scores?
- What if I want my scores sent somewhere, but don't remember when I took the ACT?
- How often are scores reported to colleges?
- Can I send my scores to a high school or uncoded college? Can I order a personal copy of my score report?
- Can I order Additional Score Reports at no charge for a previous test date?
- Can I send scores from two different test dates to an institution as one score report?
- When will the college receive my scores?
- Can I cancel my Web or phone order?
Understanding scores
- What is the highest possible ACT score?
- How does ACT figure ACT scores?
- I don't think my test was scored correctly; can I have it hand-scored?
- What are ACT's scoring policies if there is a problem at a test center?
Score reports
- How do I correct or add my Social Security number to my score report?
- How do I delete a test date record?
- Some of my information is wrong on the score report. How do I correct it?
- Which scores are reported if I test more than once?
- When will my college need to have my ACT scores?
- Will my college accept a student copy of the ACT score report?
- Will anyone be able to see the essay I wrote?