Here is the short version. The 2026-2027 ACT testing year runs from September 19, 2026 through July 10, 2027, with seven national test dates. Two dates remain in the current 2025-2026 year: June 13, 2026 and July 11, 2026.
If you only need one thing from this page, it is the table below. But picking a test date is also a strategy decision, and the right date depends on your college deadlines and how much time you have to prepare. We will cover both.
The next ACT test date you can still register for is July 11, 2026 (regular registration deadline: June 5, 2026). After that, the next national date is September 19, 2026, which opens the 2026-2027 testing year. Scroll to the full table for every deadline.
One quick note before the dates: the ACT changed in 2025. Science is now optional, the Math section has four answer choices instead of five, and the test is shorter. None of that changes when the test is offered, but it does change what you are signing up for. If this is news to you, read our guide to the Enhanced ACT vs. the Legacy ACT before you register.
Table of Contents
ACT Test Dates 2026-2027
These are the official ACT national test dates for the United States, straight from ACT. All deadlines fall at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date listed.
Remaining 2025-2026 test dates:
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | Registration closed; standby may be available |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | Not offered in New York |
2026-2027 ACT test dates:
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | — |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | September 29, 2026 | — |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | November 29, 2026 | — |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | February 9, 2027 | — |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | March 23, 2027 | — |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | — |
| July 10, 2027 | June 4, 2027 | June 22, 2027 | Offered at limited test centers |
A late fee applies if you register after the regular deadline but before the late deadline. We break those fees down below.
Projected 2027-2028 test dates. ACT has also published projected dates for the following year. These are not yet final, and registration deadlines have not been released, so treat them as a planning guide only:
- September 11, 2027
- October 16, 2027
- December 11, 2027
- February 26, 2028
- April 8, 2028
- June 10, 2028
- July 15, 2028
Pro tip: The July test date is offered at fewer test centers than the others, and availability in some states is still expanding. If you are aiming for a July administration, confirm that a center near you is open before you build your plan around it. You can check live availability with the ACT test center locator.
When Is the Next ACT Test Date?
The next national ACT test date is June 13, 2026. Regular and late registration for that date have already closed, so your only option now is standby testing.
The next date you can still register for normally is July 11, 2026, with a regular registration deadline of June 5, 2026. After July, the next national ACT is September 19, 2026.
To find the next available date at any point, look at the table above and choose the soonest test date whose registration deadline has not yet passed. ACT typically offers tests in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July, so there is roughly one date every one to two months during the school year.
ACT Registration Deadlines and Late Registration
Every ACT test date has two deadlines that matter:
- Regular registration deadline: Register by this date to pay the standard fee.
- Late registration deadline: You can still register after the regular deadline, but you pay an extra late fee of $42.
If you miss both deadlines, you are not necessarily out of luck. ACT offers standby testing, which lets you show up and test if space and materials are available at your center. Standby costs an additional fee and is not guaranteed, so it should be a backup plan, not your first choice.
You can also make changes after you register. Switching your test date, test center, or test format costs a change fee, as long as you make the change before the late deadline for your new date.
Pro tip: Register early, before the regular deadline, for two reasons. You avoid the $42 late fee, and you get a better choice of test centers. Popular centers fill up, and waiting can mean a longer drive on test morning.
ACT Registration and Fees
You register for the ACT through your ACT account at act.org. When you register, you will choose your test date, your test center, and whether to add the optional Science and Writing sections.
Here is the current ACT fee structure. Because Science is now optional, the base test covers English, Math, and Reading only:
| What You Register For | Fee |
|---|---|
| The ACT (English, Math, Reading) | $70.00 |
| Add the optional Science section | +$5.00 |
| Add the optional Writing (essay) section | +$25.00 |
| Late registration fee | +$42.00 |
So a student taking the core test plus Science and Writing would pay $100 total. A student taking only the core three sections pays $70. Your score reports for yourself, your high school, and up to four colleges are included in the base fee when you enter those college codes at registration.
You can take the ACT on paper, online at a test center, or on your own device (BYOD). All three options are still available, and you can switch between them up to the late registration deadline. If cost is a concern, ask your school counselor about an ACT fee waiver, which covers registration fees (and the optional Science and Writing sections) for eligible 11th and 12th graders.
Pro tip: Decide on Science and Writing based on your target colleges, not on cost. Both are optional and inexpensive to add, but some programs still want to see them. Check each school’s testing requirements before you register so you are not stuck paying a change fee later.
How to Choose the Best ACT Test Date for You
Most pages stop at the table. But the date you circle on the calendar should line up with two things: your college application deadlines and how much time you realistically have to prepare. Here is how to think it through.
Work backward from your college deadlines
Start with your earliest application deadline, then count backward. Scores for the multiple-choice sections are usually available a couple of weeks after your test date, but give yourself a buffer in case results take longer or you want to send them to additional schools.
If you are applying Early Action or Early Decision in the fall, a summer or early-fall test date (July, September, or October) is usually your safest bet. For regular decision deadlines in January, an October or December date gives you room. Seniors should avoid leaning on the February or April dates for fall applications, since those scores may arrive too late.
Leave room for a retake
Almost everyone who takes the ACT twice improves on the second try, and most colleges superscore, meaning they take your best section scores across test dates. So do not plan around a single sitting. Pick a first date early enough that you could take the test again one or two administrations later if you want to. Two to three sittings is the sweet spot for most students.
Match the date to your prep time
This is the part students skip, and it is the one that actually moves your score. Before you commit to a date, figure out how much you need to improve and how many weeks of study that will take.
The honest way to do this is to take a full-length practice test first. A free ACT practice test gives you a baseline score, and the gap between that score and your goal tells you how much runway you need. A student aiming for a three-point jump needs more weeks than someone fine-tuning a strong score.
Once you know your timeline, count back from your chosen test date and build a week-by-week plan. Magoosh’s ACT study schedules lay out exactly what to study each week for one-month, two-month, and three-month timelines, so you can pick the test date that matches the plan you can actually finish.
Pro tip: Choose your test date and your study plan at the same time, not separately. A September date with no summer study plan is just a deadline you will scramble to meet. The date and the prep are one decision.
FAQs About ACT Test Dates
When do ACT scores come out?
Your multiple-choice scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science) are usually available within about two to four weeks of your test date, released on a rolling basis. ACT reports that over 97% of scores post online within one to four weeks. If you took the Writing section, your complete results, including the essay score, may take a little longer. You can check the latest score-release timing in your ACT account.
How long is the ACT?
The core ACT (English, Math, and Reading) takes about two hours and five minutes of testing time. Adding the optional Science section adds 40 minutes, and the optional Writing section adds another 40 minutes. With check-in and breaks, plan for a longer morning at the test center.
Can I take the ACT on paper or online?
Both. ACT offers paper testing, online testing at a center, and a bring-your-own-device option. You choose your format when you register and can change it up to the late registration deadline. Unlike the SAT, the ACT has not gone digital-only.
Why isn’t the July test date offered everywhere?
The July administration runs at fewer test centers than the other dates, and availability in some states is still being expanded. Always confirm that a center near you is testing in July before you plan around it.
How many times can I take the ACT?
Up to 12 times total, and no more than once per national test date. Taking it two or three times is normal and does not look bad to colleges, especially since most superscore your best section results across dates.
What if I miss the registration deadline?
Register during the late window (before the late deadline) and pay the $42 late fee, or look into standby testing if both deadlines have passed. Standby is not guaranteed, so registering on time is always the better move.
Once your date is set, the rest is preparation. Magoosh’s ACT prep pairs video lessons with practice questions and a study schedule built around your test date, so you walk in ready on the day you picked.
