The next ACT and every upcoming date through mid-2027
The next US ACT is June 13, 2026. Regular registration is open until May 8, 2026, with late registration open through May 29 (plus a $40 late fee). After that, July 11, 2026 is the final 2025-2026 date, and then the full 2026-2027 schedule kicks off on September 19 with all deadlines already published. This article lists every upcoming ACT date with registration, late, photo upload, and score release deadlines, current Enhanced ACT fee structure, and how to pick the right date.
Ready to prep? Take a free ACT quiz or read our ACT section guide for a section-by-section breakdown.
Remaining 2025-2026 ACT test dates
Two dates from the 2025-2026 cycle are still ahead. Data verified against ACT's official national test dates page. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
*No test centers scheduled in New York for the July 2026 date. If you live in NY and need a July attempt, look at neighboring states or plan for September 2026.
2026-2027 ACT test dates with full deadlines
ACT has published all 2026-2027 dates along with complete deadlines, unlike the College Board which typically posts SAT dates first and deadlines later. Here is the full published schedule.
*Like the July 2026 date, no test centers are scheduled in New York for July 10, 2027.
How ACT deadlines actually work
Each ACT date has four deadlines to track:
- Regular registration deadline — typically about 5 weeks before the test. Pay the standard fee; widest test center selection.
- Late registration deadline — typically 2-3 weeks before the test. Pay the standard fee plus a $40 late fee.
- Photo upload / standby deadline — a few days before the test. You must upload a recognizable photo of yourself to your MyACT account or you cannot test. This is also the last day to request standby testing.
- Score release date — about 2 weeks after the test. Multiple-choice scores come out first; Writing scores (if taken) follow a few days later.
One ACT-specific detail to watch: if you register for ACT Online and later want to switch to paper (or vice versa), that is treated as a test center change and costs extra. Decide on your format before you register.
Enhanced ACT fees (2025-2026)
The Enhanced ACT changed scoring, timing, and the status of the Science section. Fees now reflect which sections you opt into.
The base ACT fee includes your scored report and sending scores to up to four colleges for free. Additional score reports beyond those four cost about $20 each.
ACT fee waivers
Eligible low-income students in 11th or 12th grade can receive up to four free ACT fee waivers, covering the base registration (plus Writing if desired), late fees, and additional score reports. Waivers are distributed by school counselors, not by ACT directly. Ask your counselor in the fall of junior year if you think you qualify.
Waivers cover:
- Base ACT registration fee
- Writing section fee (if requested)
- Late registration fee
- Unlimited free score reports to colleges
- Score verification
Should you opt into Science and Writing?
Two of the biggest questions after registering: include the Science section? Include the Writing essay? Our recommendation:
For a deeper dive, see our ACT Writing: is the essay worth it? guide.
Pick the right ACT date for your prep timeline
- Take a diagnostic first. Use our free ACT practice tests guide to get a baseline before picking a date.
- Budget 8-12 weeks of prep per attempt. Less than 6 weeks rarely produces meaningful gains.
- Plan for one retake. Most strong scorers take the ACT twice. Space attempts by at least 2 months.
- Align with application deadlines. Early Decision/Action deadlines are typically November 1. Your last ACT for those is usually October.
- Avoid the December gap. The December-to-February stretch is the longest break on the ACT calendar, so a bad December score can be hard to redo before late winter.
What if you miss the registration deadline?
- Use late registration (open about 2-3 weeks before test day). Adds $40 but keeps you on that date.
- Register standby ($72, not guaranteed). You show up on test day and test only if space is available after no-shows.
- Register for the next available date. Usually the simplest option if your timeline allows.
- Take the SAT instead. SAT dates sometimes fall conveniently between ACT dates. See our SAT vs ACT guide.
Related resources
- Free ACT practice tests with answer keys
- Every topic on the ACT math section
- ACT math tips and strategies
- ACT Writing: is the essay worth it?
- ACT percentiles: full score-to-percentile charts
- SAT test dates 2026-2027
- ACT section guide and free ACT quiz
Frequently Asked Questions About ACT Test Dates
When is the next ACT test date?
The next US ACT is June 13, 2026. Regular registration closes May 8, 2026, with late registration open through May 29 (plus a $40 late fee). After that, the next date is July 11, 2026 (not available at New York test centers), with regular deadline June 5. The 2026-2027 cycle then starts September 19, 2026.
How much does the ACT cost in 2026?
The base Enhanced ACT fee is $68 for the core three sections (English, Math, Reading). Adding the optional Science section costs +$4. Adding the optional Writing essay costs +$25. A full ACT with Writing and Science runs $97. Late registration adds $40, test date changes cost $44, and standby testing is $72. Fee waivers are available for eligible 11th/12th graders.
How often is the ACT offered?
The ACT is offered 7 times per year in the US: September, October, December, February, April, June, and July (with the July date often excluding New York state). International schedules vary by country and typically offer 5-6 dates per year.
When do I need to register for the ACT?
Regular registration deadlines are typically about 5 weeks before the test date. Late registration (with a $40 fee) runs until about 2-3 weeks before the test. You also need to upload a photo to your MyACT account a few days before the test or you cannot sit for the exam.
Can I change my ACT test date?
Yes, for a $44 fee. You can change dates up until the late registration deadline of your original test. After that, you would need to miss the test and register fresh (paying full fee again), or use a standby slot on a different date.
Is the ACT offered every month?
No. The ACT skips January, March, May, August, and November. The longest gap between test dates is the October-to-December stretch and the December-to-February stretch in winter. Plan prep timelines accordingly.
When are ACT scores released?
Multiple-choice scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science if taken) typically release about 2-3 weeks after the test date. Writing scores follow about 2 weeks after the multiple-choice release. Specific score release dates for every 2026-2027 administration are listed in the schedule table above.
What is the difference between ACT Online and paper ACT?
National ACT test dates transitioned to an online format for national Saturday testing starting April 2025. School-day testing transitions in spring 2026. Both formats cover the same Enhanced ACT content (45 English, 45 Math, 36 Reading, optional 40 Science, optional 40 Writing) and produce the same 1-36 scores. The online format uses ACT-provided devices or your own at the test center, depending on the center.
