The ACT is offered seven times in 2026 — here is every national test date with its regular and late registration deadlines, plus what the new Enhanced ACT format changes for test day, when scores post, and how much registration costs. Use it to pick a date, hit the deadlines, and plan your prep with room to spare.
Every year, ACT, Inc. sets the ACT exam dates for the next one to two years. Below is a comprehensive table outlining the 2026 national test dates, including registration deadlines for each test day. The ACT is offered seven times per year in the U.S.; there are no national test dates in January, March, May, August, or November 2026.
| Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 14, 2026 | January 9, 2026 | February 6, 2026 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | April 3, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | June 5, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026* | June 5, 2026 | July 3, 2026 |
| September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | September 14, 2026 |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | October 12, 2026 |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | December 7, 2026 |
*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.
For the most up-to-date test dates and registration deadlines, please check the official ACT registration page.
As of 2026, the Enhanced ACT is the only version offered. The key changes that affect every 2026 test date are:
These changes affect how you prepare and how colleges interpret your scores, so confirm whether your target schools want a Science score before you register.
The ACT is administered in the morning of the designated test day across various locations. Test centers typically open at 7:45 AM, with testing beginning promptly at 8:00 AM local time. With the shorter Enhanced ACT, the core test (English, Math, and Reading) typically finishes before noon; adding Science and/or Writing extends your testing time accordingly.
We highly recommend students to arrive at their test centers well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress and get familiar with their testing environment.
ACT test locations are strategically distributed across the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico. These venues are typically established in high schools, colleges, or designated testing centers.
To find the nearest test center, students can visit the ACT's official test center locator page, where they can search by their zip code or city. Be sure to look the test centers up well in advance, and plan logistics accordingly - especially if your test center is not local.
We also recommend registering early as slots in some popular locations can fill up quickly, and some test centers may not be available for all test dates.
The cost of taking the ACT depends on which version you choose. The base fee for the core ACT (English, Math, and Reading) is approximately $68, with an additional fee of about $4 to add Science and about $25 to add Writing. Additional fees may apply for services like changing the test center or date, late registration, or standby testing.
If you miss the regular registration deadline, you can still register by the late registration deadline for an additional fee. If you did not register by the late registration deadline, you may be able to request standby testing for an additional fee, though seats are not guaranteed. All deadlines are 11:59 PM Central Time.
Fee waivers are available for eligible U.S. high school students who meet certain criteria, helping to ensure that the test is accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation.
For more information on ACT fees, see the official ACT fees page.
The Enhanced ACT consists of three core sections — English, Mathematics, and Reading — which together produce your 1–36 Composite score. Science and Writing are both optional add-ons that are reported separately and do not affect the Composite.
As noted above, the core test runs about 2 hours 5 minutes; choosing the ACT with Science and/or Writing adds to your total testing time.