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 2010-2011 registration fee is $33.00, $48.00 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.

2010-2011 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

Test Date Regular Deadline (regular fee) Late Registration Period
(regular fee plus late fee)
September 11, 2010 August 6, 2010 August 7-20, 2010
October 23, 2010 September 17, 2010 September 18-October 1, 2010
December 11, 2010 November 5, 2010 November 6-19, 2010
February 12, 2011* January 7, 2011 January 8-21, 2011
April 09, 2011 March 4, 2011 March 5-18, 2011
June 11, 2011 May 6, 2011 May 7-20, 2011

*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.)