The ACT costs $70 in the United States for 2026-27. That covers English, Math and Reading, plus score reports to you, your high school and up to four colleges, as long as you list the colleges when you register. Science adds $5 and Writing adds $25, so the full test with both is $100. Outside the US the same core test costs $188.50.
What does each version of the ACT cost?
From ACT's fees page, checked on 18 September 2026. ACT calls the core test "EMR", short for English, Math and Reading, and that is the label you will see at checkout.
| What you register for | US fee |
|---|---|
| ACT (English, Math, Reading) | $70 |
| ACT with Science | $75 |
| ACT with Writing | $95 |
| ACT with Science and Writing | $100 |
Science is the cheapest add-on on the list, and whether it is worth $5 depends on your college list. A few colleges still ask for it. We checked their own pages in should you take ACT Science.
Which ACT fees get added later?
| Fee | Cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Late registration | $42 | After the regular deadline, until the late deadline |
| Change fee | $49 | Switching test date, test center or online and paper |
| Standby testing | $75 | Testing without a registered seat |
| 5th and 6th college at registration | $20 each | Colleges beyond the four included |
| Additional score reports | $20 or $32 | See the next section |
| My Answer Key | $36, or $44 after the test | Only on four test dates a year |
| Score verification | $67 per part, $134 for both | Multiple choice, Writing, or both |
How much does it cost to send ACT scores?
ACT's own pages disagree. The fees page lists additional score reports at $20. The score-sending page lists $32 per report, per test date. We could not find anything on either page that explains the gap, so plan on $32 for any report you order after test day.
Either way, the cheapest reports are the four free ones. A student who skips listing colleges at registration and sends four reports later can pay up to $128 for something that came with the $70. Have your college codes ready before you start the registration form.
One more rule if you test twice. ACT's superscore page says superscore reports are ordered from your MyACT dashboard and paid by card, so budget for those separately. How superscoring works is in ACT superscore.
What does the ACT cost in total?
Three common plans, using the US prices above and $32 for reports ordered later.
| Plan | What it includes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| One sitting, done early | Core test, four colleges listed at registration | $70 |
| One sitting with Science | Core plus Science, six colleges listed at registration | $115 |
| Two sittings, second one late | Two core tests, one late fee, superscore sent to four colleges | $310 |
Most of the third plan's cost is avoidable. Registering on time saves $42. Sending one test date instead of a superscore, where a college does not superscore anyway, saves most of the $128 in reports.
Is the ACT more expensive than the SAT?
On the base fee, barely. On everything else, yes.
| Fee | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Base test, US | $70 | $68 |
| Late registration | $42 | $38 |
| Changing your test center | $49 | $34 |
| Base test, outside the US | $188.50 | $111 |
SAT figures are from our SAT cost breakdown. The international gap is the one that changes decisions: $77.50 per sitting. If you test outside the US, read the ACT for international students before you register for either test.
Can you take the ACT for free?
Yes, if you qualify for a fee waiver. ACT's 2026-27 flyer says eligible students can test free on up to two national dates and also get unlimited score reports, the official ACT self-paced course and My Answer Key on the dates that offer it. Your school counselor decides eligibility, so ask before you register.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ACT cost in 2026?
$70 in the United States for English, Math and Reading. Adding Science makes it $75, adding Writing makes it $95, and both together cost $100. Outside the US the core test costs $188.50.
Does ACT Science cost extra?
Yes. Science is an optional $5 add-on in the United States and a $10 add-on outside it. It does not count toward the Composite score.
How much is ACT late registration?
$42, on top of the test fee. It applies between the regular deadline and the late deadline. For the 17 October 2026 test, the late deadline is 29 September.
How many free score reports come with the ACT?
Reports to you, your high school and up to four colleges, as long as you enter the college codes when you register. The 5th and 6th colleges cost $20 each at registration.
How much does it cost to send ACT scores after the test?
ACT's fees page says $20 per additional report, but its score-sending page says $32 per report, per test date. Budget $32 to be safe, and list colleges at registration to use the four free reports.
Can I take the ACT for free?
Students who qualify for an ACT fee waiver can test free on up to two national test dates and get unlimited score reports. Eligibility is decided through your school counselor.