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United States · Admissions test

How much does the ACT cost? Test fees and waivers

As of October 2026, ACT test fees start at $70 for English, math and reading. Science adds $5 and writing adds $25, so all three together cost $100. Score reports to you, your school and up to four colleges are included. Low-income students in 11th or 12th grade can get the fee waived.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

ACT test fees by option

OptionFee
The ACT (English, math, reading)$70
ACT + science$75
ACT + writing$95
ACT + science + writing$100

You can add or drop science and writing until the late registration deadline.

Other fees

FeeCost
Late registration$42
Change of test date, test center or test option$49
Standby testing$75
Score reports to a 5th and 6th college, at registration$20
Extra score reports, after registration$20 each
ACT My Answer Key (copy of your test questions and answers)$36 before the test, $44 after
Score verification$67 multiple-choice, $67 writing, $134 both

The late fee applies to any registration or date change made during the late period. Fees are nonrefundable unless ACT says otherwise. Standby is refunded if you’re turned away on test day.

Can you get your ACT test fees waived?

If you’re in 11th or 12th grade and your family meets an economic-need rule, such as qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, you can get an ACT fee waiver. Ask your school counselor. You can use at most two.

A waiver covers the test fee, including science and writing. It doesn’t cover change fees. It also makes ACT’s official self-paced Kaplan course free.

Ways to keep the cost down

  • Register before the regular deadline to avoid the $42 late fee.
  • Choose your 4 free colleges when you register. Adding colleges later costs $20 each.
  • Only add writing if a college on your list asks for it.
  • If your state or school offers the ACT during the school day, ask your counselor how it works and what it costs.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewThe ACT testHow many questionsACT test format: how many questions, how long, and what’s on itScoringHow ACT test scores are calculatedDates and registrationACT test dates and how to registerWhat to bringWhat to bring to the ACT testOnline testCan you take the ACT test online?Score releaseACT test results dates: when scores come out and how to get themPercentilesACT test score distribution: percentiles and averages by stateACT vs SATSAT or ACT: which test is better for you?Writing testThe ACT writing test: prompts, rubric and whether to take itExtended timeACT test extended time and other accommodationsPreACTPreACT: the pre-ACT test for grades 8 to 10Study guideACT study guide and practice test PDFsPractice testFree ACT practice testWhere to learnACT prep: where to study for the ACTStudy plannerThe ACT test study planner
Sources: ACT and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.