2026-2027 ACT Calendar
ACT Test Dates 2026-2027: Deadlines and Score Release Dates
The ACT is offered on seven national dates in the 2026-2027 school year: September 19, October 17 and December 12, 2026, then February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. There is no November ACT. The next date open for registration is Saturday, December 12, 2026. Register by November 6. Scores release December 22.
Next ACT deadlines
Current as of October 5, 2026.
Standby closes Mon, Oct 12
October 17 ACT
Regular and late registration have closed. Standby only. Scores release October 27.
Register by Fri, Nov 6
December 12 ACT
Late registration through November 29. Photo and standby deadline December 7. Scores December 22.
Register by Fri, Jan 22
February 27 ACT
First ACT of 2027. Late registration closes February 9. Scores March 16.
ACT Test Dates 2026-2027
Every national ACT administration for the 2026-2027 school year.
| Test date | Registration deadline | Late deadline | Photo / standby | Scores release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 19, 2026Saturday Completed | Aug 14, 2026 | Sept 1, 2026 | Sept 14, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Oct 17, 2026Saturday Next ACT | Sept 11, 2026 | Sept 29, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 |
| Dec 12, 2026Saturday Open | Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 |
| Feb 27, 2027Saturday | Jan 22, 2027 | Feb 9, 2027 | Feb 22, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 |
| Apr 10, 2027Saturday | Mar 5, 2027 | Mar 23, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 |
| Jun 12, 2027Saturday | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Jun 7, 2027 | Jun 23, 2027 |
| Jul 10, 2027Saturday | Jun 4, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 | Jul 5, 2027 | Jul 20, 2027 |
No ACT test centers are scheduled in New York State for the July date. There is no November or January national ACT.
When Do ACT Scores Come Out?
ACT multiple choice scores usually post two to three weeks after test day. October 17 scores release October 27 and December 12 scores release December 22, 2026. Writing results arrive later when the optional essay is taken.
How ACT Deadlines Work
ACT registration closes about five weeks before test day. Late registration runs about two and a half weeks longer, and a separate photo upload and standby deadline falls five days before the test.
Regular deadline
The cheapest and safest window, with the widest choice of test centers. Put this date in your calendar, not the test date.
Late deadline
Adds a fee. Centers near Fairfield County, Westchester and New York City are often full by this point.
Standby
A request for a seat on test day if one opens. Not guaranteed, and the fee applies whether or not you are admitted.
The Enhanced ACT at a Glance
The ACT core test covers English, math and reading. Science and writing are optional. The composite score, from 1 to 36, comes from English, math and reading only. Before you skip science, check whether your colleges want it: our list of colleges that require ACT Science covers 136 schools.
ACT Dates 2027-2028 (Projected)
ACT publishes projected dates well ahead. These are for planning only and can change before registration opens.
| Fall 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|
| Sept 11, 2027 | Feb 26, 2028 |
| Oct 16, 2027 | Apr 8, 2028 |
| Dec 11, 2027 | Jun 10, 2028 |
| Jul 15, 2028 |
Find your starting score for free
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next ACT?
The next ACT is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Regular and late registration have closed, and October 12 is the photo upload and standby deadline. Scores release October 27. The next ACT open for registration is Saturday, December 12, 2026, with a regular deadline of November 6.
Is there a November 2026 ACT?
No. There is no November national ACT in 2026. After October 17, the next ACT is December 12, 2026.
What are the ACT test dates for 2026-2027?
September 19, October 17 and December 12, 2026, then February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. That is seven national dates. New York has no July test centers, so New York students have six.
What are the 2027 ACT test dates?
February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. Regular registration deadlines are January 22, March 5, May 7 and June 4, 2027.
When do ACT scores come out?
Multiple choice scores typically post two to three weeks after test day. October 17 scores release October 27, December 12 scores release December 22, 2026, and June 12, 2027 scores release June 23. Writing results can take longer.
How early do I need to register for the ACT?
About five weeks before test day for regular registration, and about two and a half weeks before for late registration. That is much earlier than the SAT, and it is the most common reason students miss an ACT date.
Is ACT science required?
Science is optional on the enhanced ACT. Most colleges do not require it, but some do, including several engineering and STEM programs. See our list of colleges that require ACT Science before you register.
Are the 2027-2028 ACT dates out?
ACT has projected September 11, October 16 and December 11, 2027, then February 26, April 8, June 10 and July 15, 2028. Projected dates can change until ACT opens registration.
Plan Your ACT Dates With an Expert
ConnectPrep was founded in Westport, Connecticut in 2013 by Jeremy Fine, who has more than 20 years in education. Start with a free consultation or our free SAT diagnostic and ACT diagnostic.
Related: SAT test dates 2026-2027 · SAT and ACT dates side by side · ACT vs SAT · ACT tutoring · ACT Bootcamp · Colleges that require ACT Science