
The ACT exam dates have already been announced for years 2026. Conducted 7 times a year, American College Testing or more commonly referred to as ACT, is a standardised test that is conducted by non-profit ACT to determine readiness of students who are looking for admission to colleges. ACT examination is widely accepted by colleges across USA and Canada. It is a computer-based test that requires candidates to answer multiple-choice questions in English, Mathematics and Reading. ACT Writing and Science tests are optional and do not affect candidates’ composite scores.
This article presents the ACT exam dates for non-US test takers, which means test takers outside of the USA, US territories and Puerto Rico. Each ACT exam date is released with a late registration and photo upload date. Test takers, if need special accommodation must get their requests submitted at the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system by their schoolo representatives.
Although one can take the ACT test 12 times but usually students give the exam 2-3 times. Candidates retake the exam to improve their scores. For the next ACT exam, one needs to check for ACT exam dates and also if the applicant has enough time to sit for ACT once more and then apply to various colleges and universities.
The ACT exam fee structure has changed for Indian students in 2026. Now that the Science section of the ACT exam has also been made optional just like the Writing section, test takers can choose to pay for it or not. Here is the complete fee structure of ACT exam in 2026:
| ACT Exam Fees 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Exam Type | Fees | Details |
| ACT Exam | $186.50 | ACT exam contains the Maths, English and Reading sections only. |
| ACT exam with Science section | $196.50 | Science section gets added to the ACT exam. |
| ACT exam with Writing section | $211.50 | Writing section gets added to the ACT exam. |
| ACT exam with Science as well as Writing section | $221.50 | Writing section also gets added to the ACT exam with Science section |
ACT exam or American College Testing is an exam that international students give if applying for undergraduate admissions to universities abroad. This exam tests applicants based on their previous knowledge of high school in subjects of Maths, English + Reading and Science. The ACT syllabus is more or less similar to high school knowledge and tests a certain level of understanding, analysis and analytical skills of the applicants. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 - 36 based on sectional performance and then coming down to a total overall score of ACT.
- ACT Exam Dates for Indian Students 2026
- ACT Dates for Late Registration 2026
- How to Search and Choose ACT Exam Dates?
- ACT Test Dates 2026 FAQs
ACT Exam Dates for Indian Students 2026
Indian students looking to study abroad in the US or Canada can opt to appear for the ACT test, which is conducted in Feb, April, June, July, Sep, Oct and Dec.
ACT exam slot may or may not be available based on the diff. ACT test centres. For each of the two days within a testing date, there will be morning and afternoon sessions offered.
| ACT Exam Dates 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Exam Dates 2025 | Registration Deadline | Late Fee Date | Photo Upload Deadline Date |
| 06-07 Feb 2026 |
09 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 |
| 10-11 April 2026 |
13 Mar 2026 | 27 Mar 2026 | 27 Mar 2026 |
| 12-13 June 2026 |
15 May 2026 | 29 May 2026 | 29 May 2026 |
| 10-11 July 2026 |
12 June 2026 | 26 June 2026 | 26 June 2026 |
When You Should Take the ACT Test
Since the ACT exam is your gateway to college and university admission in the USA and elsewhere, you must take this test at least two months in advance of your college and scholarship deadlines. This allows you to get your result much before your college deadline as the ACT exam results begin to get reported in 2 business days after taking the test. However, your score reporting might also get delayed but will still not take longer than 8 weeks.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, there is an option to interchange an ACT exam date chosen with a future exam date. Students will have to pay an additional amount for interchanging or changing ACT exam date. It is always better to choose one ACT exam date and stick to it and avoid cancelling or changing the exam date as it requires a fee for every request. Thus, register for ACT in one go with final dates in mind.
Thus, those who are willing to pay will have to submit an additional fee for ACT date shifting request and apply or register in accordance with new instructions and details. It is always advised that applicants check the ACT exam dates prior to their registrations to avoid last-minute confusions and alterations.
No, this is not usually the case when ACT exam dates change that too last minute without prior information. The ACT exam dates are predetermined and they do not change within a short span of time also. Hence, whatever dates are available while registrations, they are final and there is no scope for alteration or change of dates from ACT.
One can appear for more than one ACT test date in a month. There is no limit on the number of times you can take the exam. So take the test!
ACT Dates for Late Registration 2026
The applicants who fail to apply for a specific ACT exam date within the proposed registration deadline, but still wish to appear for the same ACT exam date, have the option to register late. ACT late registrations are applicable for a certain period, even when the actual registration window closes. The late registration dates for the ACT exam dates are final and cannot be changed; However, an ACT late registration fee of USD 40 is charged. Let us look at the following table for ACT exam dates and their late registration dates:
| ACT Exam Dates 2025 | Late Fee Date |
|---|---|
| 06-07 Feb 2026 |
23 Jan 2026 |
| 10-11 April 2026 |
27 Mar 2026 |
| 12-13 June 2026 |
29 May 2026 |
| 10-11 July 2026 |
26 June 2026 |
Exactly 2 weeks before ACT exam - the late registrations are possible and an additional late registartion fee is applied at the time of completing registration.
Commonly asked questions
If you make a change to your booked ACT exam date or are registering in the late period of national test date. You will be required to pay an additional late registration fee for the ACT exam. Late registration fee for the ACT exam is USD 40.00.
One can make changes to the test date no later than the late registration deadline. Even if making changes during the last minute or during late registration deadline students must ensure to correctly choose the ACT exam date and the centre too. Because once the choice is made there will be no changes allowed and the next option will b apply again for another date in future. Applicants can change or cancel a given ACT exam date for which registrations have already happened, provided it is within the late registration timeframe. In case it falls out of the late registration timeframe of ACT exam dates, then applicants may be levied an additional charge also.
There is a deadline for each ACT exam date where no extra fee is charged for registration. But those who still haven't made up their minds and still wish to appear for an ACT exam date whose late registrations are open, are free to still register but with a late fee charge. Thus, there are two deadlines one is actual deadline when students can register for the ACT exam date and the next is the late registration when an additional fee is charged for the same ACT exam date's registration.
How to Search and Choose ACT Exam Dates?
ACT exam dates are usually available for international students within month or two gap. In some cases - ACT exam dates are available without day's gap and it may be difficult for applicant to choose exam date. Let's check how to tackle this problem:
- Make a plan and understand how much you'd need to prepare for the ACT and appear for it.
- Based on ACT exam preparation, stick to your schedule and see if you'll be able to wrap up your preparation by then.
- If you can wrap your ACT preparation within the stipulated time period, you can apply for the designated ACT exam date you had chosen for yourself.
- If by any chance you cannot finish your preparation, you choose an ACT exam date in the near future.
- Choose only that ACT date when you feel confident enough to appear for the exam.
For problem of searching ACT exam dates, there is only one solution - check official website and you will find upcoming ACT exam dates and their registration details. Applicants will only have to then decide when to apply for exam and choose ACT exam date as per their:
- Preparation
- University application deadlines
- ACT score submission deadlines
Thus these are simple steps that applicants can follow in order to search for ACT dates and also choose one based on their comfort.
Commonly asked questions
There are no age restrictions for the ACT exam. However, students under the age of 16 years may be asked to provide a parental consent form at the time of registration. The ACT exam is aimed at assessing the college readiness of students after their high school. Note that there is no upper age limit in the ACT exam.
You should take your PTE exam at least two months before ypur college, university or scholarship's application deadline. Even though the scores for your ACT exam begin getting reported within two days of taking the test, the overall score report still may take around 8 weeks to get ready. Hence, two months will be sufficient for you to receive a decision on your ACT exam and hence, you can apply to your desired college in time.
Students can start taking the ACT test as soon as they reach grade 6. Most students prefer to take the ACT exam for the first time during spring of their junior year and or the fall their senior year. This allows them to retake the exam if required, and make improvements in the areas of weaknesses.
ACT Test Dates 2026 FAQs
Check the ACT exam dates for the year 2026 below.
Commonly asked questions
You can request Standby Testing. This option lets you register online for an extra fee during a specific window. But, you will only be admitted if ACT test center has enough spare seats and booklets.
It is not a guaranteed spot.
Yes, there is an option to interchange an ACT exam date chosen with a future exam date. Students will have to pay an additional amount for interchanging or changing ACT exam date. It is always better to choose one ACT exam date and stick to it and avoid cancelling or changing the exam date as it requires a fee for every request. Thus, register for ACT in one go with final dates in mind.
Yes, in order to appear for ACT exam on another date, you will have to register for ACT again and choose another date, test centre and pay the fee again. Whatsoever may the reason be for not appearing for a given ACT exam date, to appear on another ACT exam date, the applicant will have to go through the entire process all over again.
Usually, candidates take the ACT test 2-3 times in order to achieve their targeted score. Also, do not take the test many times as it can hamper your college applications. Applicants should aim to choose only one ACT exam date and try to be successful in that one go only. This is beneficial one because the applicants already have lesser time and taking an ACT again and again can be difficult on the pocket too.
The decision of taking an ACT on back to back dates for some benefit is in the hands of the applicants. If the applicant feels that taking the exam on one date after the other will help him or her score better, then they can try this strategy. However, this is not recommended because one must wait for the exam result of the first attempt and go for another if actually required. Thus, there are both pros and cons of taking ACT on back to back dates.
ACT exam is conducted for a total of 7 times in a year for both Indian and other international students. Candidates willing to register for ACT exam can book from the official website.
There are different types of ACT registration fees for students. Candidates need to pay an additional USD 40 as a late registration fee for the ACT if they register after the regular deadline.
Around USD 48 is charged as "Change Fee" for requesting a change your test centre or date after registering for your ACT exam. The other ACT exam fee include fee for sending your ACT exam scores to teh 5th or 6th universities of your choice or for requesting extra score reports. Both cost USD 20.00 separately.
As Indian students (or international students), candidates need to have their high school scores if available and if not they can enter their predicted scores, a valid photo ID, one recent photograph, and a credit card. The registration of ACT exam also requires applicant's high school educational background along with interests of the applicants. The ACT registration also includes students including the colleges and universities they wish to send their scores across to as well. Hence, its quite a lengthy process which requires a lot of attention so that all information provided is correct.
Applicants must be accurate with the details they enter so that they do not need to come back and make amends in the ACT exam application. The ACT registrations do not require a lot of documentation but just predicted scores to understand the applicant's progress academically so far.
A score of 26 is a great start. Most good universities in United States generally look for student scores between 28 and 30. While the very best schools often expect a 33 or even higher. Always prepare well for it.
It depends on the college where you are planning to apply, if they ask you to send all the scores then you need to send them all ACT test scores. And if they ask you to send the latest ACT score taken on a recent date then you need to send them. Generally, candidates have the choice to select which scores they want to send. Also, some colleges consider your the highest scores for admission, so, even if you got less score in the latest exam it won't hurt your application.
No, there is no additional fee for choosing an ACT exam centre in India. The fee is charged holistically from applicants when they are finally submitting their ACT exam forms. However, a "Change Fee" of $48.00 will be charged if you request a change in your chosen ACT test date and/or centre after making an appointment.
Thus, students must exercise caution while applying for the ACT exam and choosing the ACT exam centre and, of course, the date. Plus, make sure that you apply through the official website by logging in to the MyACT account only and do not pay any extra amounts unnecessarily. There are no additional exam centre costs; all costs are included within the overall ACT exam fee only.
The retesting restrictions of the ACT exam suggest that a student can only take the ACT exam once in a single testing window. Taking the ACT exam two or even three times in a single testing window will not be accepted by ACT. ACT, in such a case, will provide you with the scores only from your first test attempt and not for the remaining attempts. Note that even your ACT exam registration fee paid for the 2nd and 3rd attempts will not be refunded by ACT.
ACT suggests that if you wish to take the ACT exam multiple times, then you should choose the testing dates in different testing windows.
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