Picking an ACT test date can feel overwhelming, whether you’re a high school freshman or a senior. When will you know enough to take the exam but still have time left over for a re-take if necessary? No fretting–Magoosh can help you decide! In this post, we’ll give you up-to-date information on both international and U.S. ACT test dates and score release dates for the 2023-2024 school year, as well as ACT test dates for 2023.
Curious about ACT 2023-2024 test dates? Here’s the ACT schedule for 2023-2024 so you can find the next ACT test date that fits your planner! Unfortunately, none of the 2023-2024 tests will be available as ACT at-home tests. It’s not clear whether ACT still plans to roll out this option, which was announced in 2020.
| Test Date | Deadline | Late Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| September 9, 2023 | August 4 | August 18 |
| October 28, 2023 | September 22 | October 6 |
| December 9, 2023 | November 3 | November 17 |
| February 10, 2024 | January 5 | January 19 |
| April 13, 2024 | March 8 | March 22 |
| June 8, 2024 | May 3 | May 17 |
| July 13, 2024* | June 7 | June 21 |
You’ll register for the ACT on ACT’s website. The ACT costs $66 without writing and $91 with writing. Late registration (after the official ACT sign up dates) is $36. Standby testing is $66 (but can be refunded under certain circumstances). To change the date or center, it’s $42. Score reports to more than four colleges cost $18 for the fifth and sixth, then $18 each. To get your test information released (a copy of your questions and answers), you’ll need to pay $32 if the order is placed before the test begins, and $40 after.
Now that you’ve read our guide, you may still have some questions. Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions!
What should I know about ACT test dates and locations in 2023?First, find the closest test center to you using this ACT test center locator!
Next, and this is most crucial for students in New York, the July ACT date is not an option in New York. This is because of certain educational legislation in the state (we won’t bore you with the details here). So if you are a New York student, heads up!
You should also know that the September ACT is a very popular test date, followed by June and July. Make sure you register well in advance so you can get the ACT test location you want and don’t have to wake up extra early to drive across town (or the state).
For international students, the upcoming ACT test dates are the same as those in the U.S. Learn more on the ACT global website.
If you are going into the test planning for retakes (which you should), try to take the ACT for the first time when Test Information Release is offered (this means December, April, or June). This will allow you to get a copy of the test you took and your answer sheet, so you will be able to study exactly what you got wrong and why.
You’ll have to allow 6-8 weeks for this information to arrive, however, so it may not arrive in time for you to take back-to-back tests. But if you take the April and/or June test during your junior year, you’ll have plenty of time to work with this information for a July or fall retake.
Use this handy quiz to find out the best test date for you! Then, check out How long should I study for the ACT? to start planning your prep timeline.
What if my ACT test date is rescheduled?If you are unfortunate enough to be affected by an isolated incident, you’ll probably be rescheduled for the next test date. You can find when that next ACT date is in the table above. For more widespread closures, the ACT might decide to hold a makeup date.
Dr. Kristin Fracchia has over fifteen years of expertise in college and graduate school admissions and with a variety of standardized tests, including the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, with several 99% scores. She had a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, an MA degree from The Catholic University, and BA degrees in Secondary Education and English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. She was the recipient of the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award and the Chancellor’s Club Fellowship from the University of California, Irvine. She’s worked as a high school teacher and university professor, as an independent college and graduate school admissions counselor, and as an expert tutor for standardized tests, helping hundreds of students gain acceptance into premier national and international institutions. She now develops accessible and effective edtech products for Magoosh. Her free online content and YouTube videos providing test prep and college admissions advice have received over 6 million views in over 125 countries. Kristin is an advocate for improving access to education: you can check out her TEDx talk on the topic. Follow Kristin on LinkedIn! View all posts
