The best time to take the ACT for the first time is the spring of junior year (April or June), with a retake in September or October of senior year. That leaves room for a second attempt before November 1 early deadlines. Seniors applying Regular Decision still have the December 12, 2026 ACT: late registration is open through November 29, and online scores start December 17.
Need only the calendar? See the full 2026–2027 ACT schedule with every deadline or ACT score release dates. This page is about choosing the right date.
The ACT is offered seven times per year on national test dates: September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Each date has its own registration deadline, and missing it means paying an extra $42 for late registration. Five national dates remain in the 2026–2027 testing year: December 12, 2026 and February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. Dates and deadlines below were checked on ACT.org on November 11, 2026.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Deadline (+$42) | First Scores (Online / Paper) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 12, 2026 | Closed (extended to November 9) | November 29, 2026 | Dec 17 / Dec 22, 2026 |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | February 9, 2027 | Mar 16 / Mar 16, 2027 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | March 23, 2027 | Apr 15 / Apr 20, 2027 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Jun 17 / Jun 23, 2027 |
| July 10, 2027* | June 4, 2027 | June 22, 2027 | Jul 15 / Jul 20, 2027 |
ACT says over 97% of scores are available online within 1-4 weeks after the test date, and online tests are usually scored sooner than paper tests. Writing scores are reported once all scores from your test date are available.
Registration deadlines fall roughly five weeks before each test date. If you miss the regular deadline, late registration remains open for about two more weeks at an additional cost. Here is a breakdown of current ACT fees.
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| ACT (without Writing) | $70 |
| Writing Add-On | $25 |
| Science Add-On | $5 |
| Late Registration Fee | $42 |
| Standby Testing | $75 |
| Test date, center or form change | $49 |
| ACT My Answer Key (TIR) — before test | $36 |
| ACT My Answer Key (TIR) — after test | $44 |
After you take the ACT, scores appear in your MyACT account. For 2026–2027, ACT's first online scores come 5 to 17 days after the test (for December 12, online scores start December 17 and paper scores December 22), but not every score releases on the first day. Plan for the full window of up to 4 weeks when you time your test against an application deadline. Writing scores arrive once all scores from your test date are available.
When to take the ACT depends heavily on where you are in high school. The right date for a junior is very different from the right date for a senior scrambling to meet deadlines.
The spring of junior year — specifically the April or June test date — is widely considered the best time for your first ACT attempt. By this point, you have completed most of the math curriculum that the ACT tests (through Algebra II and basic trigonometry), and your reading and writing skills have had two-plus years of high school development.
Taking the ACT in spring of junior year also maximizes your retake flexibility. If your score falls short of your target, you have the entire summer to study and can retake in September or October of senior year — well before most application deadlines.
For seniors, the September and October ACT dates are the primary retake window. The September date is the last safe option for students applying Early Decision or Early Action with November 1 deadlines. The December ACT works for Regular Decision applicants with January deadlines, but it leaves very little margin for error on score delivery.
While most students wait until junior year, ambitious sophomores can benefit from taking the ACT early as a low-stakes baseline. The February or April test date in sophomore year lets you see where you stand without pressure, giving you a full year-plus to prepare for your "real" attempt. Just keep in mind that your math curriculum may not yet cover all ACT-tested topics.
The most common mistake students make with ACT test dates is not working backward from their college application deadlines. A great ACT score means nothing if it arrives after your application is due.
Most Early Decision and Early Action deadlines fall on November 1 or November 15. For a November 1 deadline, the September ACT is the last safe test date: its scores arrive in late September or early October, leaving a buffer. The October ACT is risky because some scores can take up to 4 weeks, which may land after your deadline.
For November 15 deadlines, the October ACT becomes viable but still tight. Students applying Early Decision should ideally have their ACT score finalized by the September test date at the latest.
Regular Decision deadlines typically fall between January 1 and January 15. For the December ACT (December 12, 2026), ACT's first online scores come December 17 and paper scores December 22. That usually works for January 1 deadlines, but any delay or a slow writing score can push it past the holidays. If you can, test earlier, and check each college's score deadline and score-sending policy.
| Application Type | Typical Deadline | Last Safe ACT Date | Why This Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision / Early Action | November 1-15 | September ACT | Scores arrive late September to early October |
| Early Action (Nov 15) | November 15 | September ACT | October scores may arrive by mid-November but are risky |
| Regular Decision | January 1-15 | December ACT | First scores Dec 17 (online) and Dec 22 (paper) |
| Rolling Admissions | Varies | Any date before your target | Submit as early as possible for best chances |
| Scholarship Deadlines | Varies (often Dec 1) | October ACT | Check each scholarship for its specific score deadline |
Always build a buffer between your expected score release date and your application deadline. While ACT says scores arrive in 2-4 weeks, occasional delays happen. A good rule of thumb: plan for the score to take the full 4 weeks, and count any earlier release as a bonus. If your deadline is January 1, the December 12 ACT usually works (first scores December 17 online, December 22 paper), but it leaves little room for a delay. An earlier date is the safer play when you have one.
Worked Example
Scenario: Sarah is a junior planning to apply Early Decision to Duke (November 1 deadline). She has not yet taken the ACT. How should she plan her testing timeline?
Select your application deadline and current grade to find your recommended ACT test dates.
Many school districts across the country offer the ACT for free during a regular school day, typically in late winter or spring. This school-day ACT is administered at your own school during class hours, eliminating the need to travel to a test center on a Saturday. The scores are accepted by all colleges and universities, just like scores from national Saturday test dates.
The school-day ACT is funded by some states and districts as part of their accountability testing. If your school participates, you get a full ACT administration at no cost — a significant saving compared to the $70 registration fee for national dates.
Think of the school-day ACT as a free extra attempt. If you are already planning to take the ACT on a national date, the school-day version gives you an additional score without any financial commitment. Many students use it as a low-pressure baseline before their "real" attempt, or as a bonus retake after focused preparation.
Most students take the ACT more than once. Planning your retake dates in advance — not after getting a disappointing score — is the key to maximizing improvement without running out of testing opportunities.
Most experts recommend taking the ACT 2-3 times. Students who retake typically see score increases, especially with targeted preparation between attempts. However, taking the ACT more than 3 times offers diminishing returns — the marginal improvement rarely justifies the time and cost. Space your attempts at least 2-3 months apart to allow for meaningful study and skill development between tests.
If you plan to retake the ACT, consider choosing a test date that offers Test Information Release (TIR), now called "My Answer Key." This service lets you see the test questions, your answers, and the correct answers after the test — invaluable for targeted retake preparation. For the 2026–2027 testing year, TIR (My Answer Key) is typically available for the October, April, and June test dates — confirm on ACT.org when you register. The service costs $36 if ordered before the test or $44 if ordered after (ACT.org, November 11, 2026).
ACT now offers superscoring, which means you can combine your best section scores from multiple test dates into a single "superscore." Under the enhanced ACT (starting September 2025), the superscore composite is calculated from your best English, Math, and Reading section scores only — Science is now optional and is not included in the superscore calculation. Many colleges accept ACT superscores, which significantly reduces the pressure on any single test date. Even if your overall composite dips on a retake, an improvement in one section can raise your superscore. This makes each retake a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
Beyond deadlines and grade level, several practical factors should influence which ACT test date you choose.
Students typically need 4-6 months and approximately 70 hours of preparation to significantly improve their ACT scores. Count backward from your target test date to make sure you have enough lead time. If you are starting from scratch with no prep, registering for a test date two months out is not enough. Pick a later date and give yourself the time to prepare properly.
Check your academic and extracurricular calendar before registering. AP exams take place in early May, so the April ACT (April 10, 2027) could fall during an intense study period if you are taking multiple AP courses. Similarly, avoid scheduling the ACT during finals week, major competitions, or other high-stress commitments. A rested, focused test day produces better results than squeezing the ACT into an already packed week.
September and June are among the most popular ACT test dates — September because seniors need scores for fall applications, and June because juniors want to test before summer. These dates fill up faster, especially in areas with limited test centers. Register early (ideally as soon as registration opens) to secure your preferred test center. Note that the July test date has no test centers available in New York state.
A timed practice test before you register shows whether you need the next date or a later one with more prep time. Test Ninjas has free full-length ACT practice tests in the current enhanced format, with an explanation for every question.
Take a free ACT practice test