ACT
The ACT Test
The ACT is an undergraduate admission test used by U.S. colleges, and ACT says more than 200 universities outside the U.S. also accept it. Each college sets its own testing policy, and some do not consider scores at all — the University of California, for example, does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions — so check the college's admissions website. The Composite score (1–36) is the average of the English, Math and Reading scores; Science and Writing are optional add-ons that do not affect it. In the U.S. you can choose paper, online or bring-your-own-device testing at a test site.
Frequency
7 test dates a year, in the U.S. and outside it (2026–27: Sep, Oct, Dec, Feb, Apr, Jun, Jul; most non-U.S. dates are two-day windows)
Duration
2 hours 5 minutes (English, Math, Reading); the optional Science and Writing sections add 40 minutes each
Format
Computer or paper
Score range
1–36 Composite (the average of English, Math and Reading, each 1–36); Writing is scored 2–12 separately
Eligibility
No published academic prerequisite. Most students take it in their junior year (11th grade) or senior year (12th grade) of high school.
Conducting body
ACT (ACT Education Corp.)
Registration fee
As listed by ACT in September 2026: in the U.S., US$70 for the ACT (English, Math, Reading), plus US$5 for Science and US$25 for Writing (US$100 with both); outside the U.S., US$188.50, plus US$10 for Science and US$25 for Writing (US$223.50 with both)
Source: ACT (ACT Education Corp.). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: ACT — Current ACT fees and services (U.S.); ACT — Current ACT fees (non-U.S.); ACT — U.S. test dates, 2026–27; ACT — non-U.S. registration and 2026–27 international test dates; ACT — register for the ACT (paper, online and BYOD testing); ACT — ACT vs. SAT (section timing, 2 hours 5 minutes); ACT — understanding your scores (Composite 1–36, Writing 2–12); ACT — when should you take the ACT? (junior or senior year); ACT — the ACT for non-U.S. students (accepted outside the U.S.); ACT — non-U.S. test day (computer and paper sittings); ACT — terms of use (ACT Education Corp.); UC Admissions — first-year requirements (SAT and ACT scores not considered); NYU — undergraduate standardized testing policy (test-optional through 2027–28; SAT or ACT accepted); NYU Abu Dhabi — entry requirements (follows NYU’s testing policy for all campuses).
Last verified: 29 September 2026.
Universities that accept ACT
Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
Princeton University
Yale University
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago
Cornell University
Brown University
Dartmouth College
Carnegie Mellon University
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Northwestern University
Duke University
New York University
NYU Abu Dhabi
Related / Next steps
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The Enhanced ACT, Explained
The current ACT — its sections, optional Science and Writing components, the recent shorter format, and what to expect on test day; for current fees, dates and score ranges we link to ACT's official site.
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SAT vs ACT: Which to Take?
The digital SAT and the ACT — structure, content emphasis, scoring, and how to decide which fits your strengths. Neither test is universally better; colleges that use test scores accept both, and each sets its own policy.
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How to Send Official SAT, ACT, GRE, and TOEFL Scores to US Universities
How official score reports work: free recipients included with registration, deadlines to add them, paid extra sends, rush options, recipient codes, and why screenshots are not accepted.
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What Is a Good SAT Score? Explained
What "good" means in the context of SAT scores — the percentile concept, how to interpret your score relative to your target colleges, why there is no single universal cut-off, and where to find College Board's current score data.
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