Fees current as of September 2026 per act.org; late registration and other add-on fees apply separately. Practice with the free ACT practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (500+ questions with answer explanations).
The ACT Composite score is based on three required sections. Science and Writing are optional add-ons that do not affect your Composite score:
To experience what it's like to take an actual ACT exam, one of the reasons to take a full-length practice test. For the most authentic experience, closely emulate the ACT's scenario-based testing circumstances.
How to Mimic ACT testing conditions:
The ACT Writing section is optional, but some universities require it. It has a 40-minute time limit and requires students to write an essay on one topic. The ACT essay score is based on five separate domain scores of 2-12, with two different readers evaluating each essay. These scores are based on the essay’s ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions.
The ACT essay is an important part of the exam because it tests your ability to express yourself in a clear and concise manner. In addition, you must evaluate and compare three different perspectives on the topic. You must also present your own viewpoint and explain how it connects with the other perspectives. To improve your ACT essay score, practice writing essays in class or on your own. You can also try reading a variety of articles on different topics. Reading and writing can help you learn how to organize your ideas and write an effective essay within a time limit. Also, read the prompts carefully to understand the question.
The ACT is offered 7 times per year at U.S. test centers. Scores are typically released 2–4 weeks after each test date. Register through your MyACT account. (Source: act.org, verified September 2026.)
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | September 29, 2026 |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | November 29, 2026 |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | February 9, 2027 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | March 23, 2027 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 |
| July 10, 2027 | June 4, 2027 | June 22, 2027 |
Make a study schedule for the ACT
Also included is the option to build your own ACT and view the schedule. Take a practice ACT to determine which content areas you are strong in and which ones require improvement. Then, focus your practice on enhancing the subject areas in which you struggle the most.
Own the content by making an effort to do so
It's not always necessary to memorize formulation or tips when reading for the ACT. The content that is tested on the ACT is roughly what you are studying. You're on track to get a great grade if you thoroughly comprehend the requirements in the back of the test, carefully consider the questions, and use your knowledge in novel scenarios.
Job seekers pursuing ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate can prepare with our free WorkKeys career readiness practice test — covering Applied Math, Workplace Documents, and Business Writing.
For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our june act pdf resource.
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against ACT, Inc.. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (EMR Composite) | $70.00 | ACT, Inc. |
| Exam fee (EMR + Science) | $75.00 | ACT, Inc. |
| Exam fee (EMR + Science + Writing) | $100.00 | ACT, Inc. |
| Exam fee (EMR + Writing) | $95.00 | ACT, Inc. |
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against ACT, Inc.. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Interactive ACT resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The most important factor in raising your ACT score is not how many practice questions or examinations you complete, but rather how much attention you pay to the questions you answered correctly and which ones you got incorrect.
You must ascertain what went wrong as you answer questions. then consider how you would respond the following time if you encountered a query like this.
How can I get free ACT practice?
Free ACT genuine online practice test
Take reputable ACT practice exams in each of the four trouble spots.
Using a score file, you may see exactly what you missed and what you didn't do.
Get access to relevant resources to develop your skills based on what you missed.
You may retake the examination as many as necessary.
What is a great ACT practice test?
Well-regarded ACT prep resources include the official ACT Online Prep, Peterson's ACT Prep, PrepFactory, Kaplan ACT Prep, The Princeton Review ACT Prep, and free practice tests like the ones on this page.
What math should I learn for the ACT?
Each ACT Math question has five answer choices. Content is drawn from pre-algebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry — material most students cover by the end of 11th grade.
Prepare for the ACT - American College Testing exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Try these questions from our free ACT practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
On the ACT English test, the word "OMIT" in an answer choice means:
Answer: A. Delete the underlined portion entirely — it should not be included
When "OMIT the underlined portion" (or "DELETE the underlined portion") appears as an answer choice on ACT English, it means removing the text entirely is the best revision — often used for redundancy or unnecessary information.
A student has 40 minutes for the ACT Writing test. What is the most effective time allocation strategy?
Answer: A. 5 min planning, 30 min writing, 5 min revising
Effective ACT essay strategy: brief planning to organize ideas (5 min), the bulk of time writing (30 min), and reserving time to review and correct errors (5 min).
Two experiments test the effect of pH on bacterial growth. Experiment 1 uses a buffer; Experiment 2 does not. Why is Experiment 1 the better experimental design?
Answer: A. Buffers maintain stable pH, controlling for metabolic byproducts
A buffer maintains a stable pH throughout the experiment by neutralizing acids and bases produced during bacterial metabolism. Without a buffer (Experiment 2), bacterial byproducts can shift the pH over time, making it impossible to isolate pH as an independent variable.
How long do you have to complete the ACT Writing essay?
Answer: B. 40 minutes
The optional ACT Writing test gives you 40 minutes to plan and write your essay.