ACT Test Dates 2026–2027
The upcoming US national ACT dates, when registration closes, and when scores arrive — so you can work backward and pick the right test day for your applications.
Upcoming US national ACT dates are June 13 and July 11, 2026, then Sep 19, Oct 17 and Dec 12, 2026, and Feb 27, Apr 10, Jun 12 and Jul 10, 2027. There's no national ACT in March, May, August or November. Regular deadlines fall about 5 weeks before, and scores post about 2–4 weeks after. All dates are approximate — confirm on act.org.
Upcoming US national ACT dates
Approximate test days with the rough deadline and score windows that go with them. Always confirm before you register.
| Test date | Regular deadline (~5 wks before) | Scores post (~2–4 wks after) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jun 13, 2026 | Approx. early May 2026 | Approx. late Jun – early Jul 2026 |
| Sat, Jul 11, 2026 | Approx. early Jun 2026 | Approx. late Jul – early Aug 2026 |
| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Approx. mid-Aug 2026 | Approx. early – mid-Oct 2026 |
| Sat, Oct 17, 2026 | Approx. mid-Sep 2026 | Approx. early Nov 2026 |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 | Approx. early Nov 2026 | Approx. late Dec 2026 – early Jan 2027 |
| Sat, Feb 27, 2027 | Approx. late Jan 2027 | Approx. mid-Mar 2027 |
| Sat, Apr 10, 2027 | Approx. early Mar 2027 | Approx. late Apr 2027 |
| Sat, Jun 12, 2027 | Approx. early May 2027 | Approx. late Jun – early Jul 2027 |
| Sat, Jul 10, 2027 | Approx. early Jun 2027 | Approx. late Jul – early Aug 2027 |
Three scheduling quirks to plan around
A few patterns in the ACT calendar trip students up every year.
No test in four months.
There's no US national ACT in March, May, August or November, so dates cluster in fall and spring plus June and July. If your deadline lands in a gap month, you'll need to sit an earlier date.
July often skips NY.
The July ACT frequently has no test centers in New York State. If you're in New York, check center availability early and have a backup date in mind.
Register about 5 weeks out.
Regular registration usually closes roughly 5 weeks before the test, with paid late registration after that up to a cutoff. Set a reminder so you're not forced into late fees.
Picked a date? Start the clock.
Work backward from test day and begin with real-format ACT questions to see where you stand now.
Work backward from your applications
Start with the application deadline for each college, then count back: scores post about 2–4 weeks after the test, so leave a buffer in case you want a second sitting. Many students take the ACT in spring of junior year and again in early fall of senior year. If a deadline lands in a gap month — March, May, August or November — pick the nearest earlier date instead. And if you're in New York, double-check July center availability before you count on it. Every date here is approximate — confirm on act.org.
Date-planning checklist
- Note each college's application deadline first.
- Leave time for scores (~2–4 weeks) and a possible retake.
- Avoid gap months: March, May, August, November.
- In New York? Confirm July center availability early.
- Register by the regular deadline, ~5 weeks before.
- Confirm everything on act.org before you pay.
ACT date questions
What are the upcoming ACT test dates for 2026–2027?
Which months have no national ACT?
When are ACT registration deadlines?
Is there an ACT test in New York in July?
How soon after the ACT do scores come out?
Keep planning your ACT.
Got your date? Start where you stand.
Start free, answer a few real-format ACT questions, and get a practice estimate toward your target Composite.