How to Register for ACT Exam: Step-by-Step Guide

In 2023, around 1,386 students took the ACT exam to study in English-speaking countries. If you're considering taking the ACT but aren't sure about the ACT registration process, don't worry; you're in the right place. ACT assesses your readiness for college and is open to applicants aged 13 and above. 

Scoring well on the ACT can open doors to globally ranked universities and scholarships. Keep reading to learn about the ACT exam—from the fee structure to the required documents and how to register for the ACT exam.

ACT Exam: Full Form and Registration Process in India

The ACT exam's full form is American College Testing. It's a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. The ACT exam evaluates a student's readiness for college with multiple-choice questions in four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. There's also an optional writing test that some colleges may require.

If you're wondering, "How do I register for ACT test," you must establish a free MyACT account to register. Your school official must submit all requests for accommodations, including appeals, by the late registration deadline through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system. 

For each of the two days within a testing window, morning and afternoon sessions will be offered. Session availability may vary by test center.

ACT Registration Eligibility

To be eligible for ACT registration in India, you must meet a few criteria. 

• People of all ages and grade levels are eligible to take the ACT, including students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9, as well as high school graduates. 
• If you are below 13 years old, you can still take the exam by registering via mail. 
• You need a valid form of identification, such as a passport or a school ID, to register and be admitted to the test center. 

ACT Exam Fee Structure

If you are planning to study abroad, knowing the fees associated with the ACT exam is crucial. The ACT exam fee structure includes various costs associated with taking the ACT, such as registration fees, additional service fees, and score report fees. Here's a detailed breakdown to answer how much is the ACT registration fee and other associated costs: 

ACT Test Options and Prices

Test Options	Fee	Details
The full ACT (no writing)	$186.50	Includes reports for you and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register).
The full ACT with writing	$211.50	Includes reports for you and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register).
Test option change	$25.00	You may add or remove the writing test through the late deadline in MyACT.

Additional Fees

These are some additional costs associated with your ACT exam:

Additional Fee	Fee	Details
Late registration	$38.00	Registration or test date changes made during the late period.
Change fee	$44.00	Includes making a Test Date Change or Test Center Change.
Score reports to 5th and 6th colleges	$19.00	Request online before the test date. Refundable on written request if you do not test.
Additional Score Reports	$19.00	Request additional score reports online after registration.

All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise noted.

If any economically challenged student finds it difficult to pay the registration fee, they can apply for the ACT fee waiver. Their entire ACT fee will be waived if they qualify for the program.

Understanding the ACT registration process and the associated fees can help you plan and budget effectively for your exam.

Types of ACT Exam Registration

If you are wondering, “How do I register for the ACT test?’ , Test-takers you can register for the ACT exam in three ways:

• Online registration
• Offline or mail registration
• Standby testing registration

Online registration: 

Registering online for the ACT exam is a simple process. Here are the steps to follow for ACT exam registration:You need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Create your MyACT account.

Go to the official ACT website, www.act.org, and create a MyACT account to register, send, or view your test scores. After creating the account, verify your details via text or email.

Visit the ACT dashboard.

Go to the dashboard and click on the ‘registration’ button. After reading all the requirements, you can begin your ACT registration.

Select the test location and test option.

Choose a country outside the US since you will take your ACT exam in India. After choosing the country, select whether you require accommodation or not. Then you must select whether you want to opt for writing or not. 

Select the test center and date.

Select the county and enter your city. It will show you all the test centers in your preferred city; select the one that is convenient for you. Then choose the test date from the available dates and select the most convenient one. Click on ‘Add to Cart’ after choosing the center and date.

Enter your personal and demographic information.

Enter your personal and demographic information, including your gender, race, preferred language, highest education level, parent's education level, etc. Then Choose Educational Opportunity Service (EOS), a free voluntary program, scholarship agencies, and other educational opportunities.

Select the college preferences.

You need to select up to four colleges to send your ACT scores. The cost of sending test scores to four colleges is included in the registration fee.

Submit the payment.

Carefully review and confirm all the information before proceeding with the payment. You can pay the ACT test fees with a credit card, debit card, or net banking after you confirm the details.

Following these steps will ensure a smooth ACT exam registration in India.

Offline or mail registration:

To register for the ACT exam via mail, you can download a registration form from the official ACT website, fill it out, and mail it along with a cheque  or money order for the registration fee to the address provided on the form. 

To register by mail, candidates should be below 13 years of age or if they cannot pay for their registration via credit card. 

To register for the ACT exam offline, you can:

1. Visit the official website and request the mail packet.
2. Fill in all the details and choose the test date and center.
3. Mail the registration form that will be delivered within 7-10 days.

This method is particularly useful for candidates looking to register for ACT without using online payment methods.

Standby testing registration:

If you miss the last date to register for the ACT, standby testing provides a non-guaranteed chance.  Moreover, you can submit the standby requests during a limited period after the late deadline. To be considered for standby testing, you must meet other registration requirements, like uploading your photo.

Test centers only admit standbys on a first-come, first-admitted basis. They are considered only if the seats, staff, and test materials are available.

One can follow the below steps for standby registration:

1. Log in to your ACT account. 

The standby request period closes seven days before the test date and entails additional fees.

1. Choose the test center. 
2. As standby testing spots are given on a first-come, first-served basis, reaching the test center early is advised. The fee will be refunded if the candidate is not admitted.

This option is useful for those who have missed the ACT exam registration deadlines.

Recommended Read: ACT Syllabus | ACT Exam Score

Documents Required for ACT Exam Registration 

You must have the important original documents to register successfully for the ACT examination. You must carry the documents you used for registration on the test day.

Here's a complete list of documents used for the ACT registration process: 

• High school course details 
• Headshot photo
• Personal details (name, email address)
• Credit card or other payment details

ACT Exam Format 

The ACT test includes four multiple-choice sections—English, mathematics, reading, and science—with an optional writing section. Some colleges and universities may require or accept ACT writing scores, so consider taking the writing section if applicable.

Test Section	Number of Questions	Time Allotted (Minutes)
English	75	45
Mathematics	60	60
Reading	40	35
Science	40	35
Writing (optional)	1 essay	40

After the science test, you will take an additional shorter multiple-choice test covering one of the previous subject areas. This section is used to develop future test questions and will not affect your scores, but it's important to do your best.

ACT Test Dates and Locations 2024

For international test-takers, the ACT test dates for 2024 are listed below. 

Test Dates	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Photo Upload Deadline
September 13-14, 2024	August 16, 2024	August 30, 2024	September 6, 2024
October 25-26, 2024	September 27, 2024	October 11, 2024	October 18, 2024
December 13-14, 2024	November 15, 2024	November 29, 2024	December 6, 2024

Choose a test date at least two months before your college application deadlines to ensure your scores are available in time. The ACT is offered at various test centers worldwide. For candidates in India, you can select a test center in your city when registering. 

Read More About ACT Exam
ACT Exam	ACT Exam Pattern	ACT Exam Eligibility

Conclusion

Taking the ACT is a significant step toward achieving your educational goals. Managing ACT registration process and preparing well can unlock opportunities at top universities worldwide. Remember to choose your test date and location early, and contact trusted professionals like upGrad Abroad if you need assistance. 

Your future starts with this decision- go for it with confidence!