About the ACT
The ACT test is a national college admission examination designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
The ACT covers four skill areas - English, mathematics, reading, and science - and results from the test are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities.
There is an optional 30-minute Writing Test, which measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.
In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates, in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states (including California), the ACT is also offered in late September.
The 2008-2009 basic registration fee is $31.00, $46.00 if taking the writing test also. The registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices for which a valid code is listed at time of registration.
2008-2009 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
| Test Date | Regular Deadline (regular fee) | Late Registration Period (regular fee plus late fee) |
| September 13, 2008 | August 12, 2008 | August 13-22, 2008 |
| October 25, 2008 | September 22, 2008 | September 23-October 3, 2008 |
| December 13, 2008 | November 7, 2008 | November 8-20, 2008 |
| February 7, 2009* | January 6, 2009 | January 7-16, 2009 |
| April 04, 2009 | February 27, 2009 | February 28-March 13, 2009 |
| June 13, 2009 | May 8, 2009 | May 9-22, 2009 |
*February test date not available in New York.
To get more information or to register for the ACT go to www.actstudent.org.
(ACT information courtesy of act.org.)
