What's on the test
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Math | 45 | 50 minutes |
| Reading | 36 | 40 minutes |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
English, Math and Reading take 125 minutes in total. Adding Science makes it 165 minutes.
This is a recent change. The enhanced ACT started on online tests in April 2025, reached paper and international tests in September 2025, and school-day testing in spring 2026. Older prep books describe a longer test with science always included.
How it's scored
Each section is scored from 1 to 36. Your composite is the average of English, Math and Reading. Science is no longer part of it.
If you take Science, it's reported separately, and if you take both Math and Science you also get a STEM score. Skipping Science still gives you a valid score for college applications, but some colleges or programs may want it, so check the schools on your list.
Remaining 2026-27 test dates (U.S.)
| Test date | Register by | Late registration by | First scores out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 |
| Feb 27, 2027 | Jan 22, 2027 | Feb 9, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 |
| Apr 10, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | Mar 23, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 |
| Jun 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Jun 23, 2027 |
| Jul 10, 2027 | Jun 4, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 | Jul 20, 2027 |
Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Central. Scores can take longer than the first release date. Late registration costs extra.
What it costs
- The ACT (English, Math, Reading): $70.
- Add Science: +$5. Add Writing: +$25. Both: $100 in total.
- Changing your test date: $44.
Fee waivers are available to 11th and 12th graders in the U.S. with financial need, through your school counselor. You can get up to two, and they cover the optional sections and free score reports.
Retaking and superscoring
ACT gives you a superscore built from your best English, Math and Reading scores across all your test dates. Many colleges use it, but check each school's policy.
You can't retake just one section. ACT announced section retesting years ago but never launched it, so each retake is the full test.
ACT or SAT?
Colleges that take test scores accept either one. The ACT gives you a little less time per question than the SAT, and the SAT adapts to how you're doing. Take a practice test of each, then compare your results with the SAT to ACT converter.
See where you stand
Paste your application and transcript and get a score out of 100, estimated chances at the colleges you pick, and the changes that would help most.
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