What if I miss the registration deadline?

You can still register until the late deadline for a $42 late fee. After that, you can request standby testing up to the photo and standby deadline in the table.

When do ACT scores come out?

Paper test scores first come out on the dates in the table, usually two to four weeks after the test. Online test scores take two to eight weeks, and Writing scores five to eight.

Is there a July ACT in New York?

Starting in 2027, yes. ACT says July testing opens to students in New York that year.

Do these dates apply outside the US?

No. These are the national dates for the US, US territories and Puerto Rico. International testing has its own schedule.

ACT prep

ACT test dates 2026–27

7 national test dates this school year. The next one is December 12, 2026, and late registration closes November 29, 2026.

By Marteen Tang, founder of Ashore · Updated Nov 12, 2026 · Sources at the bottom of the page

Dates and deadlines

Test dateRegister byLate deadlinePhoto and standbyPaper scores out

Sat, September 19, 2026DoneRegister byAugust 14, 2026Late deadlineSeptember 1, 2026Photo and standbySeptember 14, 2026Paper scoresOctober 6, 2026

Sat, October 17, 2026DoneRegister bySeptember 11, 2026Late deadlineSeptember 29, 2026Photo and standbyOctober 12, 2026Paper scoresOctober 27, 2026

Sat, December 12, 2026Register byNovember 9, 2026Late deadlineNovember 29, 2026Photo and standbyDecember 7, 2026Paper scoresDecember 22, 2026

Sat, February 27, 2027Register byJanuary 22, 2027Late deadlineFebruary 9, 2027Photo and standbyFebruary 22, 2027Paper scoresMarch 16, 2027

Sat, April 10, 2027Register byMarch 5, 2027Late deadlineMarch 23, 2027Photo and standbyApril 5, 2027Paper scoresApril 20, 2027

Sat, June 12, 2027Register byMay 7, 2027Late deadlineMay 25, 2027Photo and standbyJune 7, 2027Paper scoresJune 23, 2027

Sat, July 10, 2027Register byJune 4, 2027Late deadlineJune 22, 2027Photo and standbyJuly 5, 2027Paper scoresJuly 20, 2027

Deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. After the first deadline you can still register until the late deadline for $42 more. The scores column is ACT's first release for paper tests; online test scores take two to eight weeks. Sources: test dates and deadlines, online testing.

ACT fees for 2026–27

ACT fees for 2026–27
Option	Fee
English, Math and Reading	$70
With Science	$75
With Writing	$95
With Science and Writing	$100
Late registration	$42 extra
Standby testing	$75 extra
Each extra score report	$20

Each price includes score reports for you, your high school and up to four colleges, if you add their codes when you register. Source: ACT test fees.

When scores come out

ACT releases scores about two to four weeks after each test. The table shows the first release for paper tests. If you test online, multiple-choice scores take two to eight weeks and Writing five to eight. Sources: test dates, online testing.

Projected dates for 2027–28

ACT lists these as projected and subject to change: September 11, 2027, October 16, 2027, December 11, 2027, February 26, 2028, April 8, 2028, June 10, 2028 and July 15, 2028.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

7 national dates in 2026–27: September, October, December, February, April, June and July.

By Marteen Tang · Founder of Ashore

Marteen Tang founded Ashore and works on its SAT and AP lessons, practice and plans. Updated Nov 12, 2026.

Sources

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When ACT prep opens, it's part of the same plan as SAT and AP, at the same price. The score guarantee covers the SAT only.

Practice test 1

Example

Composite
(28 + 26 + 27) ÷ 3

English28
Math26
Reading27
ScienceOptional, not in the Composite25