The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized exam used for college admission. The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. There is also an optional Writing portion of the exam.
ACT FORMAT AND TEST DATES
WHAT IS THE ACT?
EHANCED ACT FORMAT: Digital & Paper Test
The Updated ACT is a 2 to 3.5 hour exam consisting of three required multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, and Reading, along with optional Science and writing sections. The breakdown of each section is as follows:
| ACT Test Section | # of Questions | Content | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH | 50 questions | Punctuation Grammar and usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills |
35 minutes |
| MATHEMATICS | 45 questions | Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry/Trigonometry |
50 minutes |
| READING | 36 questions | Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities |
40 minutes |
| SCIENCE (OPTIONAL) | 40 questions | Data Representation Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints |
40 minutes |
| WRITING (OPTIONAL) | 1 prompt | Ideas & Analysis Development & Support Organization Language Use & Conventions |
40 minutes |
ACT TEST DATES
Below are official test dates for the ACT’s 2026-2027 season. Score release dates are estimates only. Please be advised these dates are subject to change. To view ACT’s official release of test dates, please reference this link.
| 2026-2027 Test Dates | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Initial Score Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | March 24, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| June 14, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | June 23, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026* | June 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | July 21, 2026 |
| September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | October 6, 2026 |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | September 29, 2026 | October 27,2026 |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | November 29, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | February 9, 2027 | March 16, 2027 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | March 23, 2027 | April 20, 2027 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | June 22, 2027 |
| July 10, 2027* | June 4, 2027 | June 22, 2027 | July 20, 2027 |
*July test dates are not available in New York.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Don’t stop here! Check out our blog for new posts about preparing for the ACT. Below are a few posts you may find useful.
PAPER OR DIGITAL ACT? NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL ACT IN A TIME OF TRANSITION
While the SAT has already gone fully digital, the ACT is in the middle of its transition to digital testing. Starting this April (2025), test takers in the United States can choose to take the ACT on the computer or on paper. Both tests must be taken at a school or test center… READ MORE
HOW TO GET A PERFECT SCORE ON THE ACT!
Over one million students take the ACT every year. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of these students earn a perfect score on the exam. So how can you score a 36 on the ACT? It’s not impossible to get a perfect score, but it does require hard work… READ MORE
FIVE TEST-TAKING SECRETS FOR THE ACT
So you’ve taken a class, or even had a private tutor help you prepare for your test. Is there anything else you can do? While private tutoring remains the most efficient way to improve your score… READ MORE
