ACT Test Dates And Why You Should Mark Them On Your Calendar
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You have to be in-the-know if you’re going to take the ACT test. You’d want to make sure that every prep and planning you do along the way makes sense. The key to acing the ACT test and getting admitted to the college of your choice is to prepare for it using effective study strategies and choosing the best date to take the test. Yes, studying is a significant part of taking the ACT, but so is effective ACT test prep and the proper calculation of your ACT test date. What is the best date to choose for your ACT test?
The answer to that question does not mean you pick the earliest date you can find. When selecting an ACT date, you have to verify when your college deadlines are. Like most of the students, you want to get a high score in the ACT to be able to gain admission to the college or university of your choice. At the same time, you might be wanting to avail of a scholarship. Knowing your deadlines for your college and scholarship applications are major factors when it comes to deciding on the best ACT test date for yourself.
- What Happens If You Miss Taking Your ACT Test?
- How To Change Your ACT Test Date?
- How Much Does It Cost To Apply For An ACT Test Date Change?
- Be Prepared The Next Time Around
Apply The 1/3-2/3 Rule When Choosing An ACT Test Date
Many colleges set regular decision deadlines on January 1 or January 15 of your senior year, and some set them later, in February or March. If you apply early action or early decision, your deadlines will probably fall in November.
ACT says scores are typically released within a few weeks of your test date. For example, initial scores from the September 19, 2026 test come out October 6. Leave at least that much time between your test date and your first deadline.
The ACT test is offered on seven national dates a year: September, October, December, February, April, June and July. Check the official ACT test date schedule for exact dates and deadlines.
When choosing the best date among these months are for taking the ACT, you can consider the 1/3- 2/3 rule. Applying this rule means that you can render 1/3 of the time from your starting point and the deadlines of your applications at the first time and allocate 2/3 amount of time the second time between where you’re at and your required deadlines.
So, for instance, if your ACT test prep started in January of your junior year, you can decide to take the test in April. If you plan to retake the test, you can opt to make it in October. This is not to say that you must take the ACT twice, but ACT says most students need two to three attempts to reach their goals.
Related Topic: ACT Test Introduction, Registration, Dates & Score
What Happens If You Miss Taking Your ACT Test?
As you choose your ACT test date, you ought to make sure that you will actually be there to accomplish this undertaking. Mark your ACT test date on your calendar because you wouldn’t want to miss this significant day in your academic life. But what happens if you miss taking the ACT test by your designated date?
There are many reasons why you might miss your ACT test. You might wake up sick, or you might feel your prep isn’t far enough along. In those situations, you might decide to skip the test even though you’ve already registered.
Related Topic: ACT Scores
How To Change Your ACT Test Date?
What you should do in this case is to access your online ACT account and request an ACT test date change.
When online, log in to your ACT web account where you have accomplished your registration for the ACT test. Select “Make Changes to Your Registration” and follow the prompts to choose a new test date.
Make the change by the regular registration deadline for the new date. If you miss the late deadline, you can request standby testing through your ACT account, though accommodations aren’t available for standby testing.
Related Topic: ACT Registration and Requirements
How Much Does It Cost To Apply For An ACT Test Date Change?
When you registered, you paid the ACT fee: $70 for English, math and reading, $75 with science, $95 with writing, or $100 with both. A test date change costs a $49 change fee, plus a $42 late fee if you make it during the late period.
Standby testing costs $75. A fee waiver carries over to your new date, but it doesn’t cover the change fee.
Considering the substantial cost of an ACT test date change, it is much better to drag yourself out of bed and head to your testing center to take your ACT test on the original date that you have scheduled. You can see the complete ACT Test Dates here.
Issues may arise pertaining to your test date change process, nonetheless, so make sure you’ll know what to do. If you can’t change your test date online, you can call ACT Registration at 319.337.1270 by the regular deadline for the new date. Calling during late registration adds a late fee.
Related Topic: ACT Practice Test
Be Prepared The Next Time Around
After rescheduling your test, you should be ready to take it on your chosen date (the second time around). If you were overwhelmed with first-time jitters, you should be better prepared the next time. Be ready to implement an effectual study regime and a test prep program. You can hire a tutor or do self-study with the help of a plethora of ACT test prep resources and practice tests online and in your local library.
Related Topics:
- 5 Reasons You Should Not Be Scared Of Taking The ACT Test
- 7 Items You Shouldn’t Bring During the ACT Test Day
- 3 Things You Need To Do On Actual ACT Test Date
- How To Apply For The ACT Test
- How Hard Is The ACT Test?
Watch our Online GED Math Videos covering all topics you will face during the GED Math test
Sources
- ACT National Test Dates Schedule 2026-2027, ACT
- ACT Fees, ACT
- ACT Registration, ACT
- ACT Test Scores, ACT
