The ACT is a standardized test for measuring the ability to study. It is widely used as an admission criterion for universities and colleges in the USA and is mostly accepted as an equivalent alternative to the SAT. The abbreviation ACT originally stood for American College Test, although this written version is no longer in use today.
Many U.S. universities and colleges require an ACT or SAT score from all applicants for a full undergraduate degree in the U.S. This requirement then usually applies to both domestic and international applicants. The German Abitur certificate or the Austrian or Swiss Matura cannot replace the ACT.
However, if you have already started your studies and want to switch to a higher semester of a bachelor’s degree at a US university as a transfer student, you usually no longer have to take the ACT.
ACT Test Dates
There are test centers around the world that offer the ACT and ACT Plus Writing. Most of these test centers are located in international schools.
Test centers outside of the U.S. typically have five or six exam appointments per year. Each year, there is an examination date in each of the following months:
- February (only every two years)
- April
- June
- September
- October
- December
A current overview of the test centers and exam dates can be found on the ACT website.
Taking the ACT outside of a regular test center (arranged testing) is only possible in strictly regulated exceptional cases and must be accompanied by a qualified supervisor.
Time of registration for the ACT
Registration for the ACT and ACT Plus Writing takes place online and must be made no later than four weeks before the respective exam date.
ACT Test Date 2020-2021
The ACT test scheduled for June cannot take place everywhere due to the corona. Test participants registered for this date will be informed by email whether their test center is available or not. If you do not receive an email, you can assume that the test will take place as planned (as of June 4th).
- June 12th and 13th, 2020 (registration deadline: May 22nd) not available everywhere
- July 17 and 18, 2020 (registration deadline: June 26)
- September 11th and 12th, 2020 (registration deadline: August 21st)
- October 9 and 10, 2020 (Registration deadline: September 18)
- December 11 and 12, 2020 (Registration deadline: November 20)
- February 5 and 6, 2021 (Registration deadline: January 15)
- April 16 and 17, 2021 (registration deadline: March 26)
- June 11 and 12, 2021 (Registration deadline: May 21)
- July 16 and 17, 2021 (Registration deadline: June 25)
The ACT registration is only possible online with the test organizer. Following the recent conversion of ACT to a computer-based format, the number of test centers has decreased (for now).
The international cost of the ACT test is currently 166.50 US dollars (including the writing component). The ACT results are electronically available just a few days after the test date, with the exception of the grades for the ACT writing part, which take 2-3 weeks.
Costs and payment options
The ACT basic version currently costs US $ 36.50; for the ACT Plus Writing US $ 52.50 to be paid. In addition, there is a fee of currently US $ 33 for an exam outside the USA in both cases. In total, the price is then:
- US $ 69.50 for the ACT
- US $ 85.50 for ACT Plus Writing
If the ACT is to take place in a test center outside of the USA, payment must be made by credit card.