How Much Does the ACT Cost?

The ACT without the Writing section costs $68 for the 2025–2026 testing year, while adding the optional Writing (essay) section brings the total to $93 . Late registration adds a $36 surcharge, and standby testing costs an additional $62. Eligible students can apply for an ACT fee waiver, which covers the full registration cost and waives the score-sending fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Take the ACT?

Taking the ACT costs $68 for the standard test or $93 with the optional Writing section in 2026. These fees include sending your scores to up to four colleges at no extra charge. Additional score reports cost $18 each, and test date changes carry a $36 fee. Students who qualify based on financial need can receive a fee waiver through their high school counselor that eliminates the registration cost entirely.

How Much Do ACT Tests Cost?

ACT test fees in 2026 start at $68 for the core exam (English, Math, Reading, Science) and rise to $93 if you add the Writing section . Beyond registration, optional extras like superscoring reports or additional score sends run $18 per college. Fee waivers are available to 11th- and 12th-graders who demonstrate financial need, covering registration and eliminating per-score-report charges for waiver-eligible colleges.

How Much Does ACT Cost?

The ACT costs $68 without Writing or $93 with Writing for the 2025–2026 school year. A late registration fee of $36 applies if you miss the standard deadline, which is typically five weeks before the test date. To keep costs down, register on time, take advantage of the four free score sends included with registration, and prepare thoroughly — strong preparation reduces the need for costly retakes. Visit ACT Practice Test to get ready without added expense.

How Much Does the Affordable Care ACT Cost?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a U.S. healthcare law and is unrelated to the ACT college admissions exam. ACA marketplace plan costs vary widely based on income, age, location, and the coverage tier chosen (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum); many households qualify for premium tax credits that substantially reduce monthly premiums. If you were searching for ACT test registration fees , those start at $68 for the 2026 testing year.

How Much Does It Cost to Take ACT Test?

The ACT registration fee is $68 for the no-writing option and $93 with the Writing section in 2026. Students who register late pay an extra $36, and those who need to change their test date are charged $36 as well. ACT fee waivers — available to income-qualifying juniors and seniors — cover the full test fee and provide free score reports to colleges, making the exam accessible regardless of financial situation.

ACT Cost 2026 Registration Fees Waivers and How to Save

ACT - American College Testing By Dr. Lisa PatelApr 24, 202610 min read

ACT Registration Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown

ACT registration fees vary based on the test format, timing, and additional services you select. Here is every cost you may encounter when registering for the ACT in 2026.

📝$68Base Registration Fee (No Writing)Standard 2026 ACT registration covering all four multiple-choice sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.

✏️$93ACT with Writing (Essay)Adds the optional 40-minute essay section. Some colleges require it, so check your target schools before registering.

⏰+$36Late Registration SurchargeCharged when you register after the standard deadline but before the late deadline. Plan ahead to avoid this extra cost.

📅$36Test Date or Center Change FeeApplies if you need to switch your scheduled test date or change your testing location after registration is confirmed.

📊$18 eachAdditional Score ReportsYour registration includes 4 free score reports sent to colleges. Each report beyond those 4 costs $18 per recipient.

🌍+$43–$90International Testing SurchargeStudents testing outside the U.S., U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico pay an additional surcharge that varies by country.

Fee waivers are available for eligible low-income students and cover the base registration fee and up to 6 additional score reports. Contact your high school counselor to apply.

Quick Facts: ACT Registration Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown

Base registration fee without writing: $68 (2026 rate)
ACT with Writing (essay): $93 total
Late registration fee: +$36 surcharge
Test date change fee: $36

What Your ACT Fee Covers — and What Costs Extra

Registration covers one test sitting at your chosen center and dateFour free college score reports included — use all four at sign-upACT account access with online score release is included at no chargeTAA accommodations portal access included — submit requests before your test dateAdd Writing (essay) at registration for +$25; you cannot add it laterEach additional score report beyond the free four costs $18 per recipientScore verification or hand-scoring runs $50–$100 per section — request only if neededCanceled test gets a partial credit only — no full cash refund issued

ACT Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies and How to Get One

Confirm you are a U.S. 11th or 12th grader — waivers exclude all other gradesVerify family income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelinesCheck enrollment in NSLP, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or foster/McKinney-Vento statusAsk your school counselor to confirm eligibility and sign the ACT Fee Waiver formUse your waiver for one free test sitting, including the Writing section if neededRequest free score reports through your waiver — additional reports still cost $18 eachNote: waivers do not cover late fees, test changes, or international surchargesTRIO or Upward Bound participants qualify — confirm program recognition with your counselor

ACT Science Question and Answers — Start Free

How to Apply for an ACT Fee Waiver: Step-by-Step

📋

September–October

Confirm Eligibility With Your Counselor

The ACT fee waiver is available to U.S. students enrolled in 11th or 12th grade only — no exceptions for other grades. The earliest you can act is September, when counselors receive their annual supply of Form FW-16 and can begin verifying eligibility. Qualifying criteria include: family income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (roughly $56,000 for a family of four in 2026), active enrollment in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, foster care, or McKinney-Vento homeless assistance. Students in federally recognized TRIO programs — including Upward Bound — also qualify. Confirm your category with your counselor before touching any forms.

📄

Same Counselor Visit

Obtain ACT Fee Waiver Form FW-16

Form FW-16 is the official ACT fee waiver document and must come directly from your school counselor's office. ACT ships these forms to high schools each fall specifically for distribution to eligible students. Do not attempt to download or print a version from a third-party site — ACT only accepts the officially distributed form. If your school has run out, your counselor can request additional copies from ACT directly. Using the correct, current-year form prevents delays at the registration payment screen.

✍️

Within 1–2 Days

Complete and Get the Form Signed

The student section of Form FW-16 requires your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your ID), date of birth, and your high school's six-digit CEEB code (ask your counselor if you don't have it). You must also check the specific eligibility category that applies to your situation — checking the wrong box can void the waiver. After you complete your sections, return the form to your counselor. The counselor must sign and stamp the form to certify your eligibility. This signature is what ACT uses to validate the waiver code they provide — an unsigned form will not generate a valid code.

🖥️

After Form Is Signed

Create or Log In to Your ACT Account

Navigate to act.org and either create a new student account or log into an existing one. Account creation requires a valid email address and your high school information. Once logged in, begin a new registration by selecting your test date, test center location, and whether you want to add the optional Writing (essay) section — the waiver covers Writing if you add it here. Have your school's CEEB code ready, as you'll need it during this step. Do not exit registration before completing payment, as incomplete registrations may not hold your seat at the test center.

🏷️

At the Payment Screen

Enter Your Waiver Code — Fee Drops to $0

Your counselor will provide a unique waiver code after signing Form FW-16 and processing it through ACT's system (this may take a day or two). When you reach the payment screen during ACT registration, enter this code exactly as given. The standard $40 base fee — and the $25 Writing fee if selected — will reduce to $0. Be aware of what the waiver does not cover: late registration fees (up to $39), test date or center change fees ($30–$55), and international testing surcharges ($43–$90). Plan your registration during the standard window to avoid these additional costs.

✅

Immediately After

Submit and Save Your Confirmation

After the $0 payment processes, complete your registration and immediately save your confirmation number — screenshot it, print it, or email it to yourself. This confirmation is your proof of registration and may be required at the test center on test day. Your fee waiver is bound to the specific test date you selected; it cannot be transferred to a different date or reused for a future test sitting. During registration you can also designate up to four colleges to receive your scores free of charge — select all four now, because adding recipients after the test costs $18 each. Score recipients can be changed before your test date without penalty.

What Is a Good ACT Score? Benchmarks by College Tier

ACT score expectations vary widely by institution type, but knowing the benchmarks for each college tier helps you set a realistic target before test day.

📊19.5National Averagecomposite score out of 36

🏛️28–33Top 50 Universitiestypical composite range

⭐34–36Ivy League & Elite SchoolsMIT, Stanford, Harvard

🎓22–27State Flagship Averagecomposite benchmark

📈24+75th Percentilecompetitive at most 4-year colleges

🔄57%Improve on Retakeof students score higher second attempt

What is a Good Act Score? Benchmarks by College Ti - ACT - American College Testing certification study resource

ACT Writing Question and Answers — Start Free

How Long Is the ACT Exam? Timing, Sections, and What to Expect

📝Core Four Sections3 hrs 30 min total

The ACT's four required sections cover English, Math, Reading, and Science in that order — no skipping, no rearranging. Every question counts toward your 1–36 composite score, so pacing discipline on each section directly affects your result.

requiredall studentscomposite score

English: 45 min · 75 questions
Mathematics: 60 min · 60 questions
Reading: 35 min · 40 questions
Science: 35 min · 40 questions

✏️Optional Writing (Essay)+40 min · scored 2–12

The essay is graded separately on a 2–12 scale by two human raters and never affects your composite score. Adding Writing tacks on roughly 40 minutes and costs an extra $25 at registration — but some colleges require it, so check each school's policy before you opt out.

optionalcollege-specificextra cost

Format: 1 prompt, multiple perspectives
Score scale: 2–12 (separate from composite)
Added time: ~40 minutes
Registration add-on: $25 (waived with fee waiver)

⏱️Total Seated TimeUp to 4 hrs 10 min

Plan for more than just the test clock. Proctors distribute materials, read instructions, and collect booklets between every section — these transitions add real minutes to your morning. Fatigue is a documented performance factor on the Science section, which falls last.

test day planningstaminascheduling

Without essay: ~3 hours 30 min seated
With essay: ~4 hours 10 min seated
Scheduled breaks: 1 main break (~10 min) + 1 short break
Snack tip: Bring food — consumed only during breaks

🏫Test Day TimelineArrive by 7:45 AM

Check-in starts 30–45 minutes before the official test time, and doors typically close once testing begins — latecomers are turned away. Budget a full morning: most students leave the test center between noon and 1:00 PM, later if they added the essay.

logisticscheck-inwhat to bring

Check-in opens: 30–45 min before start
Doors close: At official start time
Required ID: Photo ID matching ACT account name
Permitted items: Approved calculator, pencils, snack

7 Proven Ways to Save on ACT Costs Beyond Fee Waivers

Use ACT.org's free official practice tests — saves $200–$1,500 vs. paid prep coursesRegister by the standard deadline — late registration adds a non-refundable $36 feeCheck if your state funds free school-day ACT testing (Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, and others)Send all 4 free score reports during registration — additional sends cost $18 each afterSkip the $25 Writing section unless your target schools explicitly require itChoose the nearest test center — hotel and travel costs can exceed the test fee itselfLimit retakes to 1–2 strategic attempts — 57% score higher on a second focused tryUse Khan Academy's free ACT prep for official-quality practice at zero cost

FREE ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy Questions and Answers — Start Free

Is the ACT Worth the Cost? Comparing Value to the SAT

When weighing act vs sat cost and deciding is the act worth it, understanding the full value picture helps you make a smarter investment in your college future.

✅Why the ACT Is Worth the Cost

+Accepted at all 1,900+ U.S. four-year colleges, so no admissions office will penalize you for choosing the ACT over the SAT.
+The ACT Science section lets STEM-focused students showcase analytical reasoning that the SAT does not test, giving you a competitive edge in those fields.
+Strong ACT scores can unlock merit scholarships worth thousands of dollars per year, easily exceeding the act cost comparison by 100 times or more.
+ACT Superscore policies at many colleges allow admissions offices to combine your best section scores across multiple sittings, rewarding persistence.
+A single strong score can open doors to honors programs, departmental scholarships, and competitive admissions pools that justify the registration fee many times over.

❌Drawbacks to Consider Before Registering

−At $68–$93 per attempt, multiple retakes quickly push your total ACT cost comparison past $200, making budgeting essential from the start.
−Test-optional policies now in place at hundreds of schools mean paying for the ACT is entirely voluntary, and some students may gain admission without submitting any score.
−The optional Writing section adds $25 to your registration, but most colleges no longer require it, so verify each school's policy before purchasing to avoid unnecessary spending.
−There are no partial refunds if you miss test day for any reason, meaning a missed appointment forfeits your full registration fee with no credit toward a future date.
−Students who are stronger test-takers on the SAT format may spend more money retaking the ACT without seeing meaningful score improvements, making the act vs sat cost tradeoff unfavorable.

ACT Questions and Answers

More ACT - American College Testing Resources

ACT - American College Testing

ACT Practice Test And Complete Preparation Guideline

About the Author

Dr. Lisa PatelEdD, MA Education, Certified Test Prep Specialist

Educational Psychologist & Academic Test Preparation Expert

Columbia University Teachers College

Dr. Lisa Patel holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and has spent 17 years researching standardized test design and academic assessment. She has developed preparation programs for SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, UCAT, and numerous professional licensing exams, helping students of all backgrounds achieve their target scores.