ACT registration is not complicated, but there are enough decisions to make during the process that parents are often caught off guard. Which test format should your child choose? Do they need the Writing section? How early should they register? What happens if they need to change the test date later?
This guide walks you through every step of ACT registration for 2026, explains the choices your child will face during sign-up, lists current fees, and shows you how to build a preparation timeline around the registration deadline. All information is sourced directly from the official ACT website and is current as of July 2026.
Before You Register: Three Things to Confirm First
Rushing into registration without answering these questions leads to wasted fees and avoidable scheduling problems.
- Choose the right test date.
The ACT is offered seven times per year nationally: July, September, October, December, February, April, and June. The right date depends on your child’s grade level, college application deadlines, and how much preparation time is available. As a general rule, your child should take the ACT at least two months before their earliest college or scholarship application deadline.
- Know your child’s high school CEEB code.
This is a six-digit code assigned to every high school in the US. It is used during registration to identify your child’s school and send scores directly to it. You can look it up on the ACT website’s high school codes lookup tool or ask your child’s school counselor. Have it ready before starting registration.
- Prepare what you will need during sign-up.
- A computer or tablet with a reliable internet connection
- A credit card or other payment method
- A recent photo of your child that meets ACT photo requirements
- Your child’s high school CEEB code
- Your child’s email address for the MyACT account
Step-by-Step: How to Register for the ACT
All ACT registration is completed online through the official ACT website. Registration takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes depending on how quickly you make the decisions along the way.
Step 1: Create or log in to a MyACT account.
Go to my.act.org. If your child does not already have a MyACT account, create one. Use your child’s email address, as this account will be used to access scores and manage all future registrations. If they already have an account from a previous test or PSAT registration, log in with those credentials.
Step 2: Select domestic testing.
Choose ‘In the U.S.’ unless your child is testing outside of the United States. Most families in Texas and across all states Blackmon serves will select domestic testing.
Step 3: Indicate whether accommodations are needed.
If your child has been approved for ACT accommodations such as extended time, a separate testing room, or other supports, select ‘Yes, Accommodations or Supports Needed.’ If no accommodations are needed, select ‘No, None Needed.’
Important: Accommodation approvals must be secured well in advance through your child’s school counselor before registration. ACT recommates starting the accommodations process at least several months before the test date. Do not register first and request accommodations afterward.
Step 4: Choose the test format.
The ACT is now available in three formats:
| Format | How It Works | Who Should Choose It |
| Paper | Traditional test booklet and bubble answer sheet | Students who prefer marking and crossing out on paper. Wider seat availability at most test centers. Recommended by most test prep experts. |
| Online (Test Center Computer) | Screen and keyboard at the test center, no personal device needed | Students who type faster than they write and are very comfortable with reading on screens. Fewer seats available at most centers. |
| Online BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) | Student brings their own laptop or Chromebook to the test center | Students who test better on their own familiar device. Requires downloading the ACT Gateway app in advance. MacBooks, Windows laptops, and Chromebooks are supported. iPads and tablets are not. |
Most families choose the paper format. Seat availability is higher, technical problems cannot affect performance, and the ability to physically annotate and cross out answer choices is a meaningful advantage for many students.
Step 5: Decide on the optional Science section.
The Science add-on costs $4 and adds a 40-minute section covering biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, and physics. Despite being listed as optional, Compass Prep and most college admissions experts recommend including it. Many colleges either consider the Science score or have not indicated a clear policy. For $4, including it eliminates any uncertainty about whether colleges on your child’s list will want to see it.
You can add or drop the Science section any time before the late registration deadline, so you are not locked into this decision at sign-up.
Step 6: Decide on the optional Writing section.
The Writing add-on costs $25 and adds a 40-minute essay prompt at the end of the test. It is scored separately on a scale of 2 to 12 and does not affect the composite score.
Most colleges do not require the Writing section, including all major Texas schools: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor, and TCU. Unless you know that a specific school on your child’s list requires it, you can skip the Writing section for most applications.
Step 7: Select a test center and confirm your date.
Once your format and section choices are made, ACT shows available test centers organized by date. Centers with no remaining seats are greyed out. Click ‘Show farther sites’ if your nearby centers are full.
Texas families in the Frisco, Dallas, and Plano area should register as early as possible, especially for fall test dates. Test centers in the DFW metro fill quickly due to high demand. Registering within the first week the window opens significantly improves your chance of securing a convenient location.
Step 8: Upload your child’s photo.
A recent photo is required for test security. This photo will appear on your child’s admission ticket and be used by test center staff to verify identity on test day. The photo must meet ACT’s specifications: clear, recent, and showing the face without sunglasses or hats. The photo is uploaded during registration through the MyACT account.
Step 9: Choose score recipients.
ACT allows you to send scores to up to four colleges at no additional cost as part of registration. You can name those colleges up to 24 hours after completing the test. If your child is not sure which schools they want to send scores to, or if they plan to retake the test, you can skip this step during registration and send scores later. Additional score reports beyond the four free ones cost $16 each.
One option worth knowing about: an increasing number of colleges allow self-reported scores on applications, meaning your child can report their ACT results directly on the Common App or other application without sending an official score report until after admission. Check each school’s policy to take advantage of this where available.
Step 10: Pay and confirm.
Complete payment to secure your child’s spot. Registration fees are nonrefundable unless ACT cancels the test. Once payment is confirmed, your child will receive an email with registration details and instructions to complete the photo upload if not already done.
ACT Registration Fees: Complete 2026 Breakdown
All fees listed below are current as of July 2026 and sourced directly from the ACT website. Fees are nonrefundable.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
| ACT Test (no Writing, no Science) | $68 | Includes English, Math, and Reading sections. |
| Science Add-On | $4 | Optional. Adds a 40-minute Science section. Recommended by most prep experts. |
| Writing Add-On | $25 | Optional. 40-minute essay. Not required by most colleges including Texas schools. |
| Late Registration Fee | $35 | Applies after the standard deadline. Late window closes approximately 2 weeks before the test. |
| Test Center or Date Change | $35 | To move to a different test center or date after registration is confirmed. |
| Additional Score Report | $16 per report | First four college score sends are free. Each additional report costs $16. |
| My Answer Key (TIR) | $34 | Available for October, April, and June tests only. Provides a copy of the test, your answers, and the answer key. |
| Fee Waiver | $0 | Available to eligible students based on family income. Ask your child’s school counselor whether your family qualifies. |
Fee waivers cover the full registration fee for eligible students. If your child qualifies, the waiver also covers score sends and, in some cases, the late registration fee. Contact your child’s high school counselor to check eligibility before registering.
After You Register: What Happens Next
Confirm the Photo Upload
The admission ticket cannot be printed until the photo has been uploaded and approved. Check the MyACT account after registration to confirm the photo status. Photo review typically takes one to two business days. If the photo is rejected, you will receive an email with instructions to resubmit.
Print the Admission Ticket
About one week before the test, log in to MyACT and print the admission ticket. Your child must bring the printed ticket to the test center. A digital version on a phone is not accepted. Print it in advance and keep it somewhere visible so it is not forgotten on test day.
Find the Test Center Location
Look up the test center address and plan the route before test day. Test centers in the DFW area include high schools, community colleges, and educational facilities across Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, and Dallas. Traffic on a Saturday morning can still affect arrival time. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the test begins. Students who arrive after testing has started are typically not admitted.
Begin Preparation Immediately
Registration without preparation is a missed opportunity. The time between registration and test day is the preparation window. How your child uses that window determines whether the test date produces the score they need.
For students with 10 to 12 weeks before the test, a full structured program covers all four sections in depth. For students with 4 to 6 weeks, an accelerated intensive approach focuses preparation on the highest-impact areas. Learn more about our ACT tutoring programs or see the details of our ACT Full Program and ACT Accelerated Program.
How to Change Your Registration After Signing Up
Life changes, and so do schedules. Here is what you can and cannot change after registration is confirmed:
| Change Type | Cost | Deadline to Request |
| Test center change (same date) | $35 | Before the published accommodations deadline for that test date. Not available after that deadline. |
| Test date change | $35 | Before the regular registration deadline for the new date. A late fee also applies if the new date is in the late registration window. |
| Add or remove Science or Writing sections | No additional fee | Before the late registration deadline for your test date. |
| Switch test format (paper to computer or vice versa) | No additional fee | Before the late registration deadline, subject to seat availability at your center. |
If your child misses the test date entirely without requesting a change in advance, the registration fee is forfeited and they must register and pay again for a future date. Contact ACT Registration at 319.337.1270 or log in to MyACT to make changes.
Building Your Child’s Prep Timeline Around the Registration Deadline
The most effective preparation plans work backward from the test date. Here is a recommended timeline based on the most common registration windows:
| Test Date | Register By | Recommended Prep Start |
| September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | Early July 2026. 10 to 12 weeks of preparation. Ideal first attempt for rising juniors. |
| October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | Late July 2026. Best option for students targeting early action or early decision college deadlines in November. |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | Late September 2026. Strong retake option for students who tested in September and need improvement. |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | Late November 2026. Useful for students who tested in October and need one more attempt. |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | Mid-January 2027. Final strong option for most seniors before summer. |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | Mid-March 2027. Rising seniors who want a score before summer break. |
Once your child is registered and the test date is confirmed, the prep window is defined. The question becomes how to use it most effectively. For students who are not sure where to start, a diagnostic assessment tells you exactly which sections need the most work and how realistic the target score is in the available time.
To understand what score your child should be aiming for, read our guide on what is a good ACT score which covers score ranges by college and grade level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ACT registration open?
ACT registration for each test date typically opens approximately six months before the test date. There is no advantage to waiting. Registering early secures your preferred test center location, which matters most in high-demand metro areas like Dallas-Fort Worth where centers fill up quickly.
Can my child register for the ACT without a parent?
Yes. Students can create their own MyACT account and complete registration independently. However, payment is required to complete registration, so a parent or guardian typically handles the payment step. Many families complete registration together to ensure the right test date and options are selected.
What if a test center near us is full?
If your preferred test center has no remaining seats, try clicking ‘Show farther sites’ within the registration portal to see additional options. You can also check whether a different test format (paper vs computer) opens up more nearby availability. If you are flexible on the test date, a different date may have better local availability.
How does my child get their admission ticket?
After registration is complete and the photo has been uploaded and approved, the admission ticket is available to print through the MyACT account. It is usually available about one to two weeks before the test date. The printed ticket is required for entry. A digital version on a phone is not accepted.
Can my child take the ACT more than once?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times a student can take the ACT. Most colleges superscore the ACT, meaning they take the highest section scores from different test dates and combine them into a single composite. A planned retake after targeted preparation on weak sections is a common and effective strategy.
What happens if my child misses the test date?
If your child misses the test and did not request a date change in advance, the registration fee is forfeited. To test on a different date, your child must register and pay again as a new registration. If they break the seal on the test booklet and then do not finish, they cannot request a date change afterward.
Is the ACT accepted at all US colleges?
Yes. Every accredited US college accepts ACT scores. No college prefers the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. All major Texas schools including UT Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor, and TCU accept and consider ACT scores equally.
How soon after the test will scores be available?
Initial ACT scores are typically released approximately two weeks after the test date. Full score reports including subscores are usually available within two to eight weeks. The Writing score, if taken, arrives separately and can take longer. Students receive an email notification when scores are available in their MyACT account.
Registered. Now What?
Registration confirms the test date. What happens between now and that date determines the outcome. Parents who secure a spot early and begin preparation immediately give their child the best chance of reaching the target score before applications are due.
At Blackmon Tutoring, we work with students from their first ACT attempt through their final retake, building a preparation plan around their specific test date, current score, and target composite. We serve families in Frisco, Dallas, Plano, Allen, and McKinney TX in home, and students across Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Nebraska, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, Colorado, and worldwide via online tutoring. Explore our ACT tutoring programs, or get a quote to get started today.
The test date is set. The preparation starts now.
