ACT test dates in 2026: the full schedule, deadlines, and Enhanced ACT changes.

2026 ACT National Test Dates

Every year, ACT, Inc. sets the ACT exam dates for the next one to two years. Below is a comprehensive table outlining the 2026 national test dates, including registration deadlines for each test day. The ACT is offered seven times per year in the U.S.; there are no national test dates in January, March, May, August, or November 2026.

*July 2026 had no New York test centers. July testing is available in New York starting in 2027.

Dates last verified October 18, 2026. For current availability and registration deadlines, check the official ACT calendar. See our 2026–2027 registration guide for the spring and summer 2027 administrations. For online and paper score release dates by test, see our ACT score release dates page.

What's New: The Enhanced ACT in 2026

As of 2026, the Enhanced ACT is the only version offered. The key changes that affect every 2026 test date are:

• Shorter test. The core ACT covers English, Math, and Reading in 125 minutes of testing (131 questions). That is 50 minutes shorter than the legacy four-section ACT (175 minutes), and 44 fewer questions than the same three sections had before.
• Science is now optional. Science no longer counts toward your Composite score. You can register for the ACT, the ACT with Science, the ACT with Writing, or the ACT with Science and Writing.
• Fewer answer choices. Math questions now have four answer choices (down from five), and English and Reading passages are shorter.
• Digital or paper. Since September 2025, students can choose either a digital or a paper-and-pencil version at national test centers.

These changes affect how you prepare and how colleges interpret your scores, so confirm whether your target schools want a Science score before you register.

ACT Test Times

Be inside the test center by 8:00 a.m. local time. ACT says late arrivals cannot be admitted, so plan to get there early enough to park, find the room and check in. Testing starts after check-in, and ACT publishes approximate end times for each version:

For section-by-section timing and an end-time finder, see how long the ACT is. ACT’s test day page lists what to bring.

Test Locations

ACT test locations are strategically distributed across the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico. These venues are typically established in high schools, colleges, or designated testing centers.

To find the nearest test center, students can visit the ACT's official test center locator page, where they can search by their zip code or city. Be sure to look the test centers up well in advance, and plan logistics accordingly - especially if your test center is not local.

We also recommend registering early as slots in some popular locations can fill up quickly, and some test centers may not be available for all test dates.

Registration and Fees

The cost of taking the ACT depends on which version you choose. The base fee for the core ACT (English, Math, and Reading) is $70. The ACT with Science is $75, with Writing $95, and with both $100, according to ACT’s fee schedule checked October 18, 2026. Late registration adds $42, a test date or center change is $49, and standby testing is $75.

If you miss the regular registration deadline, you can still register by the late registration deadline for an additional fee. If you did not register by the late registration deadline, you may be able to request standby testing for an additional fee, though seats are not guaranteed. All deadlines are 11:59 PM Central Time.

Fee waivers are available for eligible U.S. high school students who meet certain criteria, helping to ensure that the test is accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation.

For more information on ACT fees, see the official ACT fees page.

Test Format

The Enhanced ACT consists of three core sections — English, Mathematics, and Reading — which together produce your 1–36 Composite score. Science and Writing are both optional add-ons that are reported separately and do not affect the Composite.

The core sections are English (50 questions, 35 minutes), Math (45 questions, 50 minutes) and Reading (36 questions, 40 minutes). Science (40 questions) and Writing (one essay) take 40 minutes each. To see how many questions you can miss for your target, try our ACT miss calculator, then take a timed free ACT practice test to get a starting score before December 12.

Frequently Asked Questions