Seven national ACT dates run from September 2026 through July 2027. National dates cover the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico; all deadlines fall at 11:59 p.m. Central.
| Test date | Registration deadline | Late deadline | Score release (paper) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 September 2026 | 14 August 2026 | 1 September 2026 | 6 October 2026 |
| 17 October 2026 | 11 September 2026 | 29 September 2026 | 27 October 2026 |
| 12 December 2026 | 6 November 2026 | 29 November 2026 | 22 December 2026 |
| 27 February 2027 | 22 January 2027 | 9 February 2027 | 16 March 2027 |
| 10 April 2027 | 5 March 2027 | 23 March 2027 | 20 April 2027 |
| 12 June 2027 | 7 May 2027 | 25 May 2027 | 23 June 2027 |
| 10 July 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 22 June 2027 | 20 July 2027 |
Accommodations close with regular registration, not with late
Unlike the late window, which stays open for a fee, requests for accommodations and English Learner supports must be in by the regular registration deadline — the same date in the second column — through ACT's Test Accessibility and Accommodations system. Appeals are bound by the same date.
Missing the late deadline is not quite the end
After late registration closes, standby testing can be requested and paid for through a MyACT account. Seats are not guaranteed: it depends on whether the centre has a spare place, materials and staff on the day.
Two practical notes
- No test centres are scheduled in New York for the July date, though ACT says July testing becomes available to learners in New York from 2027.
- Students who cannot test on a Saturday for religious reasons may have non-Saturday testing available.
Fee waivers cover up to two national test dates for eligible students, along with unlimited score reports and access to the official self-paced course. They are arranged through a school counsellor.