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United States · 2026-27 school year

ACT Test Dates 2026-27: Deadlines and Score Release

The next national ACT is Saturday, October 17, 2026, but its late deadline has passed and standby requests close October 12. The next date with open registration is Saturday, December 12, 2026: register by November 6, or by November 29 with a late fee. The 2027 dates are February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10.

The September 19, 2026 test has already taken place. ACT deadlines fall at 11:59 p.m. Central Time, and ACT says scores are typically available online a few weeks after the test date. The ACT is also shorter than it was before 2025: English, math and reading take 125 minutes, and science is optional and no longer counts toward the Composite.

Official datesChecked against the official sources on

Key dates, 2026-27 school year

Next national ACT (standby only)
Saturday, October 17, 2026Regular and late deadlines passed. Photo upload and standby deadline October 12. Paper scores from October 27.
December ACT
Saturday, December 12, 2026Register by November 6; late deadline November 29. Paper initial scores December 22.
February ACT
Saturday, February 27, 2027Register by January 22; late deadline February 9. Paper initial scores March 16.
April ACT
Saturday, April 10, 2027Register by March 5; late deadline March 23. Paper initial scores April 20.
June ACT
Saturday, June 12, 2027Register by May 7; late deadline May 25. Paper initial scores June 23.
July ACT
Saturday, July 10, 2027Register by June 4; late deadline June 22. Paper initial scores July 20.

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2026-27 national ACT dates, deadlines and score release

Test dateRegistration deadlineLate deadlinePhoto upload and standby deadlinePaper initial score release
Saturday, September 19, 2026August 14, 2026September 1, 2026September 14, 2026October 6, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026September 11, 2026September 29, 2026October 12, 2026October 27, 2026
Saturday, December 12, 2026November 6, 2026November 29, 2026December 7, 2026December 22, 2026
Saturday, February 27, 2027January 22, 2027February 9, 2027February 22, 2027March 16, 2027
Saturday, April 10, 2027March 5, 2027March 23, 2027April 5, 2027April 20, 2027
Saturday, June 12, 2027May 7, 2027May 25, 2027June 7, 2027June 23, 2027
Saturday, July 10, 2027June 4, 2027June 22, 2027July 5, 2027July 20, 2027

Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Central Time, and a late fee applies after the registration deadline. National dates cover the US, US territories and Puerto Rico. ACT says July testing will be available in New York starting in 2027.

ACT prep timeline, counting back from your test date

A steady plan beats a last-minute rush. If your child wants a tutor alongside it, our ACT math tutoring starts with a free assessment and costs from $85 a month.

  1. 12 to 16 weeks before

    Take a full timed practice ACT (English, math and reading, plus science if your child will add it) to set a baseline and choose focus areas.

  2. 10 to 12 weeks before

    Decide on the optional science and writing tests, then register before the regular deadline, about five weeks before test day, to avoid the late fee.

  3. 8 to 4 weeks before

    Build math pacing: 45 questions in 50 minutes is just over a minute each. Practice timed sets on algebra, functions, geometry and statistics.

  4. 3 weeks before

    Take a second full practice test, review every missed question, and upload the required photo well before the photo deadline.

  5. Final week

    Light review only. Print the admission ticket, confirm the test center, and pack photo ID and an approved calculator.

  6. After the test

    Scores are typically online a few weeks later. If a retake is likely, check the next registration deadline early, since it can be about five weeks before test day.

ACT dates: common questions

When is the next ACT test date?

As of October 12, 2026, the next national ACT is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Its regular deadline (September 11) and late deadline (September 29) have passed, and standby requests close October 12. The next date with open registration is Saturday, December 12, 2026: register by November 6, or by November 29 with a late fee.

When do ACT scores come out?

ACT says scores are typically available online a few weeks after the test date, and its FAQ says most are released within about 2 to 4 weeks. ACT also lists an initial score release date for paper testing, such as October 27 for the October 17 test and December 22 for the December 12 test. Scores that include the optional writing test can take longer.

Is science still required on the ACT?

No. Science is optional on the enhanced ACT introduced in 2025. The Composite score now averages English, math and reading, and a science score (40 questions in 40 minutes) is reported separately if your child takes it. Some colleges or programs may still ask for science, so check the requirements of the schools on your child's list before registering.

How long is the ACT now?

Without science, the ACT is English (50 questions, 35 minutes), math (45 questions, 50 minutes) and reading (36 questions, 40 minutes): 125 minutes of testing, plus breaks. Optional science adds 40 minutes, and the optional writing test adds more. ACT says the enhanced test is 75 minutes shorter than before, with 44 fewer questions, and math questions now have four answer choices instead of five.

Which ACT date should my junior take?

For many juniors, February 27 or April 10, 2027 works well: both fall after first-semester finals and before AP exams start on May 3, and they leave June 12 and July 10 for a retake before senior year. Choose the date that allows about 8 to 12 weeks of steady prep alongside schoolwork.

Can my child take the ACT on paper or online?

ACT's registration page lists three ways to test: paper, online, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Families can switch between them before the late registration deadline if a seat is available. The score release dates in the table above are ACT's initial release dates for paper testing.

Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?

Colleges that require or consider test scores generally accept either, but check each college's policy. Pacing feels different: the ACT gives 45 math questions in 50 minutes, while the digital SAT gives 44 math questions in 70 minutes across two adaptive modules. A timed practice test of each usually shows which format suits your child better.

Sources

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