ACT runs seven national test dates in 2026-27, from 19 September 2026 to 10 July 2027. The date to watch right now is 17 October. Its regular deadline passed on 11 September, but late registration stays open until 29 September at 11:59 p.m. Central Time, for a $42 fee. Paper scores from that sitting release on 27 October, which is still in time for most 1 November early deadlines.
What are the ACT test dates for 2026-27?
Every date below comes from ACT's national test-date table, checked on 18 September 2026.
| Test date | Register by | Late deadline | Photo upload and standby deadline | Paper scores released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 September 2026 | 14 August | 1 September | 14 September | 6 October |
| 17 October 2026 | 11 September | 29 September | 12 October | 27 October |
| 12 December 2026 | 6 November | 29 November | 7 December | 22 December |
| 27 February 2027 | 22 January | 9 February | 22 February | 16 March |
| 10 April 2027 | 5 March | 23 March | 5 April | 20 April |
| 12 June 2027 | 7 May | 25 May | 7 June | 23 June |
| 10 July 2027 | 4 June | 22 June | 5 July | 20 July |
Every ACT deadline closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. SAT deadlines close at the same clock time on Eastern Time, so the two are an hour apart, and it is an easy detail to mix up if you are registering for both.
These are the dates for the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico. Students testing anywhere else use a separate calendar with two-day testing windows, which we cover in the ACT for international students. One more change for this year: ACT says July testing reaches New York for the first time in 2027.
Which ACT date still reaches a 1 November deadline?
Only two do, and one of them barely.
| Test date | Paper scores released | Days to spare before 1 November |
|---|---|---|
| 19 September | 6 October | 26 |
| 17 October | 27 October | 5 |
| 12 December | 22 December | None. It fits a 1 January regular deadline. |
Five days is not much room. ACT says it usually sends score reports the same day scores are ready, but each college then needs time to load them. There is one way to buy margin. ACT's scores page says online test scores usually come back sooner than paper ones, because ACT receives an online test the moment you finish it. If you are registering for 17 October with a 1 November application, choose the online format. We compare the two formats in ACT online or on paper.
For comparison, the SAT on 3 October releases scores on 16 October. The same squeeze on the SAT side is laid out in the October SAT deadline.
What is the ACT photo upload deadline?
It is the third column in the table, and it falls five days before every test. ACT only lets you print your admission ticket after your photo is uploaded, and on test day staff check the ticket, the roster photo and your ID against each other before they let you in. Upload the photo the day you register, not the week of the test.
The same date is the standby deadline. Standby is a request to test without a registered seat, with no promise that one opens, and ACT charges $75 for it.
What does it cost to register late or change your date?
| Change | ACT fee | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Late registration | $42 | After the regular deadline, until the late deadline |
| Change of test date, center or format | $49 | Format changes are allowed until the late deadline |
| Standby testing | $75 | Until the photo upload deadline |
The base test is $70 in the US. Every fee, including a disagreement between two of ACT's own pages about score report prices, is in how much the ACT costs.
ACT fee waivers cover up to two national test dates, plus unlimited score reports. Eligibility runs through your school, so ask your counselor before you pay the $70 or the $42.
Which ACT date should you pick?
If you need a score for early applications this fall, 17 October online is the last realistic sitting. Register before the late window closes on 29 September.
If you are a junior, the February, April and June dates leave room for a retake before senior fall. Plan on more than one sitting. ACT's scores page says 43% of test takers take it more than once, and your best section scores combine into a superscore automatically.
One more thing decides between dates that look equal: ACT My Answer Key, which returns your real questions after the test, is offered only for the October, December, April and June dates. If you plan to retake, a first sitting on one of those four gives you something concrete to study from.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ACT test dates for 2026-27?
Seven national dates: 19 September, 17 October and 12 December 2026, then 27 February, 10 April, 12 June and 10 July 2027. They apply in the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico. Students outside the US use a separate international calendar.
What is the late registration deadline for the October 2026 ACT?
29 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time, for the 17 October test. Late registration costs $42 on top of the $70 test fee. The regular deadline was 11 September.
When do October 2026 ACT scores come out?
ACT lists 27 October 2026 as the initial score release for the 17 October paper test. ACT says online scores are usually available sooner than paper scores.
Which ACT date is the last one for early decision?
For a 1 November deadline, 17 October is the last date, with paper scores released on 27 October, five days ahead. The 12 December test releases scores on 22 December, which suits 1 January regular deadlines instead.
What time zone are ACT deadlines in?
Central Time. Every ACT registration deadline closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. SAT deadlines use Eastern Time, one hour earlier.
What is the ACT photo upload deadline?
Five days before each test date. ACT only lets you print your admission ticket after the photo is uploaded, and staff match the ticket, the photo and your ID on test day. The same date is the standby deadline.