ACT test dates are not identical for US and international students.

For US national testing, ACT lists seven 2026–27 dates from September 2026 through July 2027. International testing uses a different schedule, with several two-day testing windows.

This page keeps the two calendars separate so students do not accidentally register from the wrong schedule.

Important: Dates and policies can change. Before paying, always verify the current date in your MyACT account and on ACT's official website.

US ACT test dates: 2026–27

ACT defines national dates as testing for the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico.

ACT says national deadlines occur at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

As of September 15, 2026, the next US national test is September 19, 2026, but its registration deadlines have already passed. The next date with a future registration cycle is October 17, 2026.

US ACT: October 17, 2026

Regular registration deadline: September 11, 2026 — already passed as of this article's review date.

Late deadline: September 29, 2026

Initial scores:

• Online: October 22
• Paper: October 27

This date may be attractive to seniors working around early application deadlines, but verify each college's final accepted testing date.

US ACT: December 12, 2026

Regular deadline: November 6, 2026

Late deadline: November 29, 2026

Initial scores:

• Online: December 17
• Paper: December 22

December can work for many regular-decision timelines, but do not assume every college or scholarship accepts it.

International ACT dates: 2026–27

ACT's international schedule for 2026–27 is:

As of September 15, 2026, the next listed international window is October 23–24, 2026, with regular registration through September 25.

Why are international dates different?

ACT runs international testing under a separate operational schedule.

The academic skills being tested remain ACT skills, but you should not use a US national dates article to plan an international administration.

Always confirm:

• country;
• available center;
• test format;
• exact local date/time;
• current registration status.

Which ACT date should you choose?

Use four filters.

1. Application deadline

Work backward from:

• Early Decision;
• Early Action;
• Regular Decision;
• scholarship deadlines;
• special program deadlines.

Do not ask only:

“Will scores be released before the deadline?”

Also ask:

“Does this college accept scores from this administration?”

Those are different questions. If you're weighing whether to submit a score at a test-optional school at all, see our guide on submitting ACT scores test-optional.

2. Retake buffer

A good testing plan leaves another date available if:

• your score is below goal;
• illness affects test day;
• a center problem occurs;
• you want to superscore.

If your goal sits in the 30–34 Composite range, the ACT 30 to 34 score guide breaks down what separates those bands.

3. School workload

Avoid choosing a test date purely because it exists.

Look at:

• AP/IB exams;
• school finals;
• major coursework;
• sports;
• travel;
• holidays.

The “best” date is the one you can actually prepare for.

4. Testing location

International students may have fewer nearby centers.

If testing requires substantial travel:

• register earlier;
• verify identification rules;
• plan overnight travel if appropriate;
• do not schedule an exhausting arrival immediately before the exam.

When should juniors take the ACT?

A useful default is:

• diagnostic in fall or winter;
• first official test by winter/spring;
• retake in spring/summer or early senior year if needed.

The point is not to test early for prestige. It is to create time for a second attempt without panic.

When should seniors take the ACT?

Seniors should work backward from their earliest meaningful deadline.

For each college, record:

This is much safer than following a generalized article saying “October is the last early-action ACT.”

How long do ACT scores take?

ACT says more than 97% of national scores are released within roughly 2–4 weeks.

For 2026–27, ACT publishes initial release dates for US national paper and online testing.

Do not treat “initial release” as a guarantee that every student's score appears that morning.

Scores can take longer if:

• matching information is incomplete;
• answer documents require review;
• irregularities occur;
• Writing must be processed.

Does online ACT mean instant scores?

No.

Online testing can have an earlier initial release for some dates, but it is not instant.

For example, for the October 17, 2026 national ACT:

• online initial release is October 22;
• paper initial release is October 27.

ACT format reminder for 2026–27

The core enhanced ACT consists of:

• English: 50 questions, 35 minutes;
• Math: 45 questions, 50 minutes;
• Reading: 36 questions, 40 minutes.

Science:

• optional;
• 40 questions;
• 40 minutes.

Writing:

• optional;
• 40 minutes.

The Composite is based on English, Math, and Reading.

That matters when using old prep materials or old articles.

International student checklist

Before an international ACT administration:

• confirm the international calendar;
• verify the center in MyACT;
• use the correct ID;
• complete photo requirements;
• confirm whether your administration is online;
• plan transport;
• verify local arrival instructions;
• check college score deadlines separately.

How far in advance should you begin prep?

A useful range for many students:

8–12 weeks

Strong default for meaningful skill repair.

4–6 weeks

Good for targeted prep when already near goal.

Under 4 weeks

Prioritize:

• test familiarity;
• highest-value gaps;
• pacing;
• error patterns.

Do not attempt to learn every possible ACT topic in 10 days. Browse our full library of ACT guides for section-by-section strategy.

FAQ

When is the next US ACT after September 2026?

After the September 19 national test, the next US national ACT is October 17, 2026.

When is the next international ACT after September 2026?

ACT lists an October 23–24, 2026 international testing window.

Are US and international ACT dates the same?

No. They follow different schedules.

How many times per year is the ACT offered in the US?

ACT lists seven national Saturday dates for 2026–27.

When do ACT scores come out?

Most are released in roughly 2–4 weeks. ACT publishes initial release dates for national administrations.

Is Science required?

For current national ACT testing, Science is an optional add-on and does not affect the Composite score.

Official references

• ACT US national dates: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/test-dates.html
• ACT score release: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores.html
• ACT international 2026–27 dates PDF: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/pdfs/Test-Date-Schedule-International-2026-2027.pdf
• ACT structure: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-exam-sections-and-structure.html

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