ACT 2026–27: test dates, format, how to register and free practice tests
The ACT is a college admission test run by ACT Education Corp., used mainly by colleges in the United States. Since September 2025 the core test is English, mathematics and reading; science and writing are optional add-ons. The next national test date is 12 December 2026, with registration by 6 November 2026 (act.org, checked 20 October 2026). This guide gives the 2026–27 dates, the registration steps, the pattern and a plan for the weeks left.
ACT at a glance
| Conducting body | ACT Education Corp. |
| What it is for | College admission, mainly in the United States |
| Mode | On paper or on a computer, at a test centre or school |
| Questions | 131 core (English 50, math 45, reading 36); science adds 40; writing adds 1 essay |
| Time | 2 hours 5 minutes core, plus a break; science and writing add 40 minutes each |
| Marking | Each section 1 to 36; Composite is the average of English, math and reading; no penalty for a wrong answer |
| Language | English |
| How often | Several national dates a year |
| Official website | act.org |
ACT exam dates 2026–27
National test dates for the United States, US territories and Puerto Rico, from act.org's test dates page, checked 20 October 2026:
| Test date | Registration deadline | Late deadline (late fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 December 2026 | 6 November 2026 | 29 November 2026 |
| 27 February 2027 | 22 January 2027 | 9 February 2027 |
| 10 April 2027 | 5 March 2027 | 23 March 2027 |
| 12 June 2027 | 7 May 2027 | 25 May 2027 |
| 10 July 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 22 June 2027 |
Deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Students outside the US are sent to ACT's international site, which has its own dates. ACT says initial scores for the December test are released on 22 December.
How to register for the ACT
The steps on act.org's registration page (checked 20 October 2026):
- Create a MyACT account at my.act.org.
- Upload a recent photo; it is used for ID and test security.
- Choose your test date and centre, and whether to add science and writing.
- Pay the fee. On 20 October 2026 the page listed the ACT test at $70.00, the writing add-on at $25.00 and the science add-on at $5.00, with a late fee for late registration. Fee waivers may be available depending on location and household income.
Keep ready: a computer with internet access, a payment card, a recent photo, and your list of colleges. Check whether your colleges want science or writing before you skip them.
ACT exam pattern
| Section | Questions (scored) | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 (40) | 35 minutes | Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language, Conventions of Standard English |
| Mathematics | 45 (41) | 50 minutes | Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Statistics and Probability |
| Break | about 10 to 15 minutes | ||
| Reading | 36 (27) | 40 minutes | Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas |
| Science (optional) | 40 (34) | 40 minutes | Interpretation of Data, Scientific Investigation, Evaluation of Models; no calculator |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes | One prompt with three perspectives; scored 2 to 12 |
Every multiple-choice question has four answers. Some questions in each section are unlabelled field-test items that do not count. Each section is scored 1 to 36. The Composite is the average of English, math and reading, rounded to the nearest whole number. Science gets its own score and is not in the Composite. A permitted calculator may be used in math only.
ACT syllabus
- English: editing passages for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, organisation and style.
- Math: skills through the start of grade 12: algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability, number and quantity.
- Reading: long and shorter passages, including a pair on one topic; questions are answered from the text.
- Science (optional): reading data, experiments and conflicting viewpoints.
See our ACT syllabus page for the full list.
A plan for the weeks before your ACT
About seven weeks remain before 12 December 2026.
| Week | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register before 6 November. Take one full ACT mock test with the real section timings. |
| 2 | English: the grammar and punctuation rules you missed. Math: algebra and functions, timed. |
| 3 | Reading: one passage set a day in under 9 minutes per passage. |
| 4 | Second full mock. If you take science, add a timed science section. |
| 5 | Geometry, statistics and probability. Writing: two timed essays if you added it. |
| 6 | Third full mock on a Saturday morning, starting at the time on your admission ticket. |
| 7 | Error log and short timed sets only. |
Since there is no penalty for a wrong or blank answer, fill in every question before time is called. How to analyse a mock test explains how to review. Our practice tests report the number correct, because ACT equates each form separately.
Useful links
- ACT registration (act.org)
- ACT test dates (act.org)
- What is on the ACT (act.org)
- Free ACT mock tests
- ACT syllabus
- ACT exam dates
- SAT 2026–27: test dates and how to register
Frequently asked questions
When is the next ACT exam date?
The next national ACT is 12 December 2026, then 27 February 2027 and 10 April 2027 (act.org, checked 20 October 2026).
Is the science section required on the ACT?
On national test dates science is optional and does not change the Composite. Some colleges may still want it, so check their testing policies.
Is there negative marking in the ACT?
No. A wrong or blank answer scores nothing and loses nothing, so answer every question.
How is the ACT Composite score calculated?
It is the average of your English, math and reading scale scores (each 1 to 36), rounded to the nearest whole number; a fraction of one half or more rounds up.
How much does the ACT cost?
On 20 October 2026 act.org listed $70.00 for the ACT, plus $25.00 for writing and $5.00 for science, with an extra fee for late registration.