💳 How to Register for the ACT in 2026: Costs, Deadlines, Fee Waivers, and Money-Saving Tips
Registering for the ACT may sound simple: choose a date, pay the fee, and show up on test day.
In reality, there are several decisions to make along the way.
Should you take the optional Science section? Do you need Writing? Which testing format should you select? How early should you register? What happens if the nearest testing center fills up? And what can you do if the registration fee is difficult for your family to afford?
A small mistake during registration could cost you extra money or leave you without a seat at your preferred testing center. The good news is that the process becomes much easier once you know what to expect.
Here is a complete guide to registering for the ACT in 2026. 📅
📝 Where Do You Register for the ACT?
Students register for the national ACT through a free MyACT account on the official ACT website.
Your MyACT account is where you can:
Register for an upcoming test
Choose a testing location
Select your test options
Upload your photograph
Request accommodations
View your scores
Send score reports to colleges
Make permitted changes to your registration
A MyACT account is required for online registration. ACT advises students to use a computer with an internet connection to register and manage their accounts. You will also need a payment method unless you are using an approved fee-waiver code. (ACT)
💰 How Much Does the ACT Cost in 2026?
As of August 6, 2026, ACT’s current fee page lists the following prices for national testing in the United States, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico:
ACT option | Cost |
English, Math, and Reading | $70 |
Science add-on | $5 |
Writing add-on | $25 |
English, Math, Reading, and Science | $75 |
English, Math, Reading, and Writing | $95 |
English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing | $100 |
The standard ACT now includes three required sections:
✏️ English➗ Math📖 Reading
Science and Writing are optional add-ons.
Your registration price includes score reports for:
You
Your high school
Up to four colleges, provided that you enter the college codes during registration
ACT states that its fees are generally nonrefundable unless a particular service is specifically identified as refundable. (ACT)
A note about changing prices
Students may occasionally find older ACT pages, articles, or search results showing slightly different prices. Always verify the amount on ACT’s official fee page and in your MyACT checkout before paying because fees may change between testing years.
🔬 Should You Pay for the Optional Science Section?
The Science section is now optional for national ACT testing.
Before automatically adding or removing it, research the testing policies of the colleges and programs you are considering.
Science may be worth taking when:
A college recommends or requires it
You are considering a STEM major
You want an ACT STEM score
Science is one of your stronger sections
You have not finalized your college list and want to preserve more options
You may not need it when every institution on your confirmed college list clearly states that it does not require or consider the optional Science score.
However, do not rely on a general article or social-media post. Check each college’s official admissions website because policies may differ among institutions and may change by application year.
At only $5, Science is a relatively small addition to the registration price. Still, the section adds testing time and requires preparation, so the decision should be based on your college goals rather than cost alone. (ACT)
✍️ Should You Pay for the Writing Section?
The optional Writing test adds $25 to your registration.
It consists of a timed essay completed after the main multiple-choice exam. Writing does not affect your ACT Composite score.
Far fewer colleges require the ACT Writing section than in the past, so students should not automatically pay for it without researching their schools.
Before registering for Writing, ask:
Does any college on my list require it?
Does any scholarship or honors program request it?
Would my application meaningfully benefit from an additional writing score?
Am I prepared for the longer testing experience?
When none of your intended colleges or programs uses ACT Writing, paying for the section may not provide much value.
On the other hand, students who are unsure of their college lists may choose to take it to keep their options open. ACT allows students to add or remove Science and Writing through the late-registration deadline, subject to availability and applicable charges. (ACT)
📅 What Are the Upcoming ACT Dates and Registration Deadlines?
For the beginning of the 2026–2027 national testing year, ACT lists the following dates:
Test date | Regular registration deadline | Late 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 |
ACT offers national testing seven times per year, although test-center availability varies by location. Registration deadlines occur at midnight Central Time, so students in other time zones should not assume they have until midnight locally. (ACT)
⏰ Why Should You Register Early?
Technically, you can register during the late-registration period.
Financially and strategically, it is usually better not to.
Registering early can help you:
✅ Avoid the late fee
✅ Find a seat at a nearby testing center
✅ Choose your preferred testing format
✅ Leave time to request accommodations
✅ Resolve photograph or identification issues
✅ Build a study plan around a confirmed date
Popular testing centers may fill before the official deadline. Waiting until the last moment could force you to travel farther, choose a less convenient format, or select another test date.
A good rule is to register as soon as you have chosen a date and confirmed that it fits your school, family, and extracurricular schedule.
💸 What Is the ACT Late-Registration Fee?
The current late-registration fee is $42.
This charge is added to your selected test fee.
For example:
Registration choice | Regular cost | Cost with late fee |
Standard ACT | $70 | $112 |
ACT with Science | $75 | $117 |
ACT with Writing | $95 | $137 |
ACT with Science and Writing | $100 | $142 |
That means missing the regular deadline can increase your total by more than 40%.
Set at least two reminders:
📌 One reminder two weeks before the regular deadline📌 Another reminder several days before the deadline
Registering on time is one of the easiest ways to reduce your ACT expenses. (ACT)
🏫 How Do You Choose an ACT Testing Center?
During registration, you will search for available testing centers near you.
Do not assume your own high school will offer the ACT on your chosen date. National testing sites and availability can change from one administration to another.
When comparing centers, consider:
Travel time
Transportation
Parking
Familiarity with the location
Paper or online availability
How early you would need to wake up
Whether you can arrive well before check-in closes
A testing center that is slightly farther away may still be a better choice when transportation is reliable, and the environment feels manageable.
ACT provides an official locator that allows students to search by state or ZIP code, but actual seat availability is confirmed during registration. (ACT)
🏫 Should You Select Colleges During Registration?
Your ACT fee includes reports for up to four colleges when their codes are provided during registration.
This can save money because additional score reports requested later currently cost $20 each. (ACT)
However, there is a tradeoff.
When you select colleges before taking the test, your score is generally sent automatically after it is released. You will not have the same opportunity to view the score first and decide whether you want that particular testing date sent.
Before using the four included reports, consider:
Whether the college requires official reports
Whether the college accepts self-reported scores during application
Whether the college superscores
Whether you are comfortable sending the score before seeing it
Whether the school is definitely on your application list
For students with a confirmed college list, using the included reports may be a practical way to save money.
For students who are testing early or are uncertain about their college choices, waiting may provide more control, although later reports can cost more.
📤 How Much Do Additional ACT Score Reports Cost?
ACT’s current fee page lists the following:
Fifth and sixth college choices requested before the test: $20 each
Additional score reports ordered after registration: $20 each
Before paying to send an official report, check the college’s admissions instructions.
Some institutions allow students to self-report their ACT scores on the application and require an official report only after enrollment. Paying for reports that are not yet required can become expensive quickly. (ACT)
🔄 What Does It Cost to Change Your ACT Registration?
Plans change. You may become sick, encounter a conflict, or realize that another testing center would be more convenient.
ACT currently lists a $49 change fee for changes such as:
Changing the test date
Changing the test center
Changing the test form or option
Availability still matters. A requested testing center or format may not have an open seat.
When a change is made during the late period, a late fee may also apply. Because most ACT fees are nonrefundable, creating a new registration may cause you to lose the money you paid for the original date. Review the available change process in MyACT before purchasing another registration. (ACT)
🆓 Can You Take the ACT for Free?
Possibly.
ACT offers fee waivers to eligible high school students who meet its requirements.
For the 2026–2027 testing year, students must:
Be enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade
Test in the United States, a U.S. territory, or Puerto Rico
Meet at least one approved indicator of economic need
Indicators may include:
Participation in the federal free or reduced-price lunch program
Participation in an eligible program for economically disadvantaged students
Living in foster care
Being a ward of the state
Experiencing homelessness
Receiving qualifying public assistance
Living in federally subsidized housing
Having a household income at or below the applicable eligibility level
Students should speak with their school counselor to determine whether they qualify and to receive a fee-waiver code. (ACT)
🎁 What Does an ACT Fee Waiver Cover?
An eligible student can receive waivers for up to two ACT tests.
The waiver covers:
✅ The standard ACT registration fee
✅ The optional Science fee
✅ The optional Writing fee
✅ Free access to ACT’s official self-paced preparation course
✅ Free ACT My Answer Key when offered
✅ Additional score reports
✅ Possible college-application fee waivers
ACT states that qualifying students receive one score report to their high school and can select up to six colleges. After registration, eligible fee-waiver students may request unlimited additional score reports at no cost. (ACT)
That is a substantial benefit. A student who qualifies should not avoid asking a counselor because they feel embarrassed or assume their family will not meet the requirements.
The program exists to make testing and college applications more accessible.
⚠️ What Might a Fee Waiver Not Cover?
A fee waiver does not necessarily eliminate every possible charge.
For example, ACT explains that when a student changes a test date, the waiver may be reapplied to the eligible testing fee, but the student may still be responsible for the change fee. (ACT)
Students using waivers should still:
Register before deadlines
Select the correct test date
Choose the correct testing center
Upload the required photograph
Verify their optional sections
Attend the scheduled test
A free registration is still valuable, and missing the test may use one of the limited waiver opportunities.
♿ How Do You Request ACT Accommodations?
Students with qualifying disabilities or needs may request ACT-approved accommodations. English learner supports may also be available to eligible students.
The process should begin early.
In many cases, the accommodations deadline is the same as the regular registration deadline. Students generally register first and then work with a school official to submit the required request and documentation through ACT’s system.
Do not wait until the late-registration period to begin.
Depending on the student’s needs, accommodations may involve:
Extended testing time
Multiple-day testing
Additional breaks
Large-print materials
Approved assistive technology
Other authorized supports
Students should work with their school counselor, testing coordinator, special-education team, or another appropriate school official well before the deadline. (ACT)
💡 Smart Ways to Reduce Your ACT Costs
1. Register before the regular deadline
This avoids the $42 late fee.
2. Ask about fee waivers early
Do not wait until the registration deadline to contact your counselor.
3. Research Science and Writing requirements
Do not pay for an optional section simply because you assume colleges require it.
4. Choose your date carefully
A later date change currently costs $49 and may also trigger other charges.
5. Use included score reports thoughtfully
Four reports are included with a paid registration, but you should understand the consequences of automatically sending scores.
6. Check whether colleges accept self-reported scores
You may not need to purchase official reports during the initial application stage.
7. Prepare seriously before testing
The most expensive ACT is often the one you take without preparing and then need to repeat unnecessarily.
🤔 What Could One ACT Attempt Really Cost?
Consider a student who registers late for the ACT with Science and Writing and later sends two additional score reports:
Expense | Cost |
ACT with Science and Writing | $100 |
Late-registration fee | $42 |
Two additional score reports | $40 |
Total | $182 |
Now compare that with a student who registers on time for the standard ACT and uses the four included score reports:
Expense | Cost |
Standard ACT registration | $70 |
Included score reports | $0 |
Total | $70 |
Thoughtful planning could save more than $100.
For an eligible student using a fee waiver, the testing cost may be $0.
🌟 Final Thoughts
ACT registration is not just a formality. It is the first strategic decision in your testing process.
Before you pay, make sure you understand:
Which test date fits your schedule
How much time you will have to prepare
Whether Science or Writing is useful for your goals
Which testing format suits you
Whether your preferred center has space
Whether you qualify for a fee waiver
Whether your colleges require official score reports
What deadlines apply to accommodations or device readiness
Register early. Read each screen carefully. Ask for financial assistance when you need it. Most importantly, choose a test date that gives you enough time to prepare properly.
The goal is not merely to secure a seat.
The goal is to arrive on test day confident, prepared, and ready to make that registration fee count. 🚀
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