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ACT test dates for 2026-27

As of October 2026, the next ACT test dates are December 12, 2026, with registration closing November 6, and February 27, 2027, with registration closing January 22. After that come April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. These are ACT’s national Saturday dates, the same across the US, US territories and Puerto Rico.

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

2026-27 ACT test dates and deadlines

Deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. ACT says July testing becomes available in New York in 2027, and it’s adding test centers as they become available through spring 2027. If you can’t test on a Saturday for religious reasons, a non-Saturday date may be available.

Each date has its own score release day, which our results page lists.

Test dateRegister byLate deadline (late fee)Photo upload and standby deadline
Sep 19, 2026 (passed)Aug 14Sep 1Sep 14
Oct 17, 2026 (passed)Sep 11Sep 29Oct 12
Dec 12, 2026Nov 6, 2026Nov 29, 2026Dec 7, 2026
Feb 27, 2027Jan 22, 2027Feb 9, 2027Feb 22, 2027
Apr 10, 2027Mar 5, 2027Mar 23, 2027Apr 5, 2027
Jun 12, 2027May 7, 2027May 25, 2027Jun 7, 2027
Jul 10, 2027Jun 4, 2027Jun 22, 2027Jul 5, 2027
ACT test results dates →How to register →

Projected 2027-28 ACT test dates

  • September 11, 2027
  • October 16, 2027
  • December 11, 2027
  • February 26, 2028
  • April 8, 2028
  • June 10, 2028
  • July 15, 2028

ACT calls these projected dates and says they can change. Registration deadlines aren’t out yet.

Which ACT test date should you pick?

ACT says junior year is the most common time to take a first ACT. Its suggested path is a first try in the fall of junior year, a retake in the spring after more practice, and a last attempt in the fall of senior year. You can also test earlier, or after you graduate. ACT suggests testing at least two months before your earliest application deadline.

If you want a copy of your questions and answers afterward through ACT My Answer Key, choose the October, December, April or June date. It isn’t offered on the others.

ACT My Answer Key →Retakes and Superscores →

Are ACT test dates different in each state?

Not the national ones: the Saturday dates in the table apply everywhere in the US. What differs is school-day testing. If your state or district gives the ACT at school, it sets that date and signs you up, so ask your counselor.

Looking for 2025 ACT test dates or older ones? Those tests are over. ACT’s dates page lists only the current year and the projected dates for next year.

Taking the ACT at school →

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OverviewThe ACT testFormat and lengthACT test format: how many questions, how long, and what’s on itScoringHow ACT test scores are calculatedRegistrationACT test registration: how to sign upCostHow much does the ACT cost? Test fees and waiversTest dayACT test day: what to bring and what happensOnline testCan you take the ACT test online?ResultsACT 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 itAccommodationsACT test extended time and other accommodationsPreACTPreACT: the pre-ACT test for grades 8 to 10MathACT math: what’s on it and how to practiceEnglishACT English: what it tests and how to practiceReadingACT reading: passages, question types and practiceScienceThe ACT science test: what’s on it and whether to take itStrategiesACT test strategies and tipsStudy guideACT study guide and practice test PDFsPractice testFree ACT practice testWhere to learnACT prep: where to study for the ACTStudy plannerStudy for the ACT with a plan that fits your date
Sources: ACT and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

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