ACT FAQs

The ACT test is written by high school students who wish to attend college/university as a exam. This exam lets students with average GPAs balance out their applications and thus procure admission to a college they choose. The exam also lets colleges access the skill sets of a student by looking at the score range, thereby getting a better idea of what the student is capable of rather than relying on a GPA that could have been affected over the years through various reasons. Considering the magnitude of the exam, it is natural to have many questions about the same. This page contains a list of frequently asked questions along with their answers that can make it easier for candidates to navigate.

What are the methods by which a candidate can register for ACT?

ACT has its official online registration portal, students can register online.

How long does the online registration take?

ACT estimates that the registration process might take around 30 minutes if the candidate has all the necessary documents.

What does a candidate need to register online?

Candidates should have a headshot photo, high school code, course information, and a credit card for online payment.

What are the eligibility criteria for ACT?

There are no eligibility criteria for the ACT.

When can candidates apply for ACT?

The ACT is usually taken by students in their junior or senior year. It is preferred that students take the exam in their junior year since then they will have ample opportunities to retake it if they want to improve their grades.

How many times is ACT conducted in a year?

The ACT is conducted seven times nationally in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Find test dates in the following ACT Test Dates.

What is the ACT score range?

The highest mark that can be obtained in the ACT is 36, and the lowest is 1.

Does ACT have a negative marking?

No, ACT does not have negative marking.

What is an average ACT score?

An average ACT score would be around 21 out of 36. This is subject to variation from year to year.

What is the duration of the ACT exam?

The ACT exam is conducted in 2 hours and 55 minutes. An additional 40 minutes is given for those taking the optional Writing Test.

When is the ACT score released?

Candidates can view the composite score between the second and third week after the test. Writing test scores will take an additional two weeks, after which they will receive their official score report.

When will colleges receive the score report?

Colleges will receive the report around the same time when the writing score will be released. This can take around four to ten weeks after the test.

Is the ACT exam in paper format?

The ACT is now administered exclusively online for international students. However, students from certain regions in the US now have the opportunity to choose the Online ACT option. Nevertheless, the traditional paper-pencil ACT option remains accessible to US students.

Can I change from paper-pencil ACT to online ACT or vice versa after registering?

After completing the registration process, individuals have the option to switch from taking the ACT in paper-and-pencil format to an online format, and vice versa.

Are there any changes being made to the format and test structure for the ACT Online?

The test remains unchanged in terms of format and structure.

What is Changing in 2025-2026?

Commencing in April 2025, students who choose online testing will experience greater flexibility and choices, a reduced test duration, and more time to answer each question. These enhancements will be applied to paper-based tests starting from September 2025. These options will be accessible to schools and districts beginning in the spring of 2026.

What significant modifications are scheduled for April 2025?

• The ACT will be available in paper/pencil and online.
• The number of questions will be reduced by 44.
• The time limit will be shortened from 175 to 125 minutes.
• The Science section will be optional.
• The number of answer choices for math questions will be decreased from 5 to 4.

What is the fee for ACT?

The ACT exam fee is just $69 without the optional Writing test and $94 if the Writing test is included. There is also a fee waiver option for eligible candidates.

Since when can candidates take the ACT exam?

Anyone above 13 years of age can take ACT exam. Students from 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade levels are permitted to take the test, though they should preferably take the Pre-ACT at the time.

How many questions will be asked in the ACT exam?

The ACT exam consists of 215 questions spread over four sections in the paper. These questions are mainly in the multiple-choice format but contain grid-in questions in the mathematics section.

Can candidates cancel their ACT score? If so, will the fee be refunded?

The ACT scores can be canceled immediately if the candidate tells the proctor to void their score. This ensures that the test will not even be graded. No, the fee will not be refunded. Since the exam has already been held, not grading it because the candidate chooses to nullify the grade will NOT warrant a refund.

Does canceling scores remove the bad test score from the candidate's record?

No. Candidates are supposed to submit a written request to remove a particular test score from ACT records. This request is not valid if the candidate has taken the test through state or district testing.

How many times can one retake the ACT exam?

ACT can be attempted a maximum of 12 times. Retaking the ACT 2 or 3 times is advisable to improve one's scores. Retesting does not make the candidate lose much time, considering how the exam is conducted 7 times a year.

What is standby testing in the ACT?

Standby testing is a chance for students to attempt the ACT exam if they missed the late deadline to register for a test date or a change in the exam center. It does NOT confirm a seat for the test. Candidates can be admitted for the test only when a seat is vacant after the confirmed seats have been filled.

What is Section Retesting?

Students can retake individual test sections/subjects to improve their overall score instead of retaking the entire test. Given that they have already taken a full ACT and have a valid composite score, the retest will be offered mostly on National ACT dates.

Can the ACT be re-evaluated?

Yes, students can request a re-evaluation of the ACT within 12 months of the test date. The application for re-evaluation must be sent through standard mail with an additional fee. The results are updated within 3 to 5 weeks after receiving the request.

Are calculators allowed for ACT?

Yes, candidates may bring calculators and use them during the mathematics section of the exam.

What kind of calculators are allowed for the ACT?

Examinees can use graphing calculators, scientific calculators, and any four-function calculator. Any calculator with a built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality is prohibited. The list includes brands like Casio, Hewlett-Packard, and Texas Instruments.

Scoring terms to know in ACT

Raw Score- The raw score is the total number of questions the candidate has answered correctly within each section.

Scaled Score- The raw scores are converted into scaled scores for each section. It is done to maintain the consistency of scores between test dates depending upon the difficulty level of the question paper.

Composite Score- This is the average of the four area scores. It is rounded up to the nearest integer and will be within a scale of 36.

Superscoring- ACT creates a composite score from the four best grades in the candidate's different test attempts. They also keep one other composite score of the candidate's choice that reflects upon their best skills.