ACT District Testing Fall Administration

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that phase.

Process Steps (Expand for Descriptions)

Step 1: Orientation - Learn about test formats and policies; select test dates and provide shipping information; select test staff and set up accounts.

Step 2: Configuration - Upload student data records; verify enrollment for test materials.

Step 3: Accommodation - Learn about accessibility supports; request accommodations and/or supports; request qualified exceptions to the deadline.

Step 4: Preparation - Order test materials; complete non-test activities; provide examinees test prep information; prepare your facility, staff, and materials; update examinee information.

Step 5: Administration - Administer the test.

Step 6: Transportation - Return test materials.

Step 7: Interpretation - Access and understand score reports; share reporting information with examinees.

Welcome to Your District Testing Program

Important Dates

Your Schedule of Events (web content) contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.

Test Dates

The ACT Taken on Paper

The ACT Taken Online

Documents will be replaced as they become available for fall 2024 testing.

Tips for Success

  1. Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
  2. Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Accommodation, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing using the links provided. You can see a brief description, action items, and resources associated with each stage to help you get a feel for the testing timeline. Content will be linked as it becomes available.
  4. Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders. Please see Exemptlisting instructions.

Helpful Links

Expand each tray to reveal the information you're looking for.

Quick Links

Office Hours

District Testing Office Hours:
Date and Time: As Scheduled and On Demand
Link to register

Accommodations Office Hours:
Time and Date - As Scheduled and On Demand
Link to register

Contact Information

ACT General Questions:
Phone: 800.553.6244, ext. 2800
Contact Us

Accommodations:
Phone: 800.553.6244, ext. 1788
Email: ACTStateAccoms@act.org

Step 1: Orientation

Before Testing: Get started with your testing program.

Learn about Test Formats and Policies

Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)

August 5–September 6, 2024

Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts

Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccess next , remember to deactivate the existing test coordinator's user account. Updates need to be completed in two places: the manage contacts screen and creating a new user account.

Step 2: Configuration

Before Testing: Ensure systems are set up and data is submitted for testing.

Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)

August 5–September 6, 2024

Tip: The formatting in the SDU template includes instructions for how to create a successful file. Be sure to delete the sample row and all blank rows prior to uploading to PearsonAccess next .

Verify Enrollment Counts

September 9–October 24, 2024

Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccess next .

Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing

August 5–September 11, 2024

ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials

Step 3: Accommodation

Before Testing: Identify student needs for accommodations and/or supports.

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports

May 13–August 30, 2024

Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline

September 2–October 11, 2024

October 15–18, 2024

Tip: Reconsideration is used if you submitted a request for accommodations that was denied. Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline is for limited reasons as indicated on the form.

Tip: If selecting the qualified exceptions date in TAA, make sure to attach the Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline Form in the request.

Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports

Step 4: Preparation

Before Testing: Prepare students, staff, facilities, and materials for testing.

Order Test Materials

Test Window 1: September 16–October 4, 2024

Test Window 2: October 15–18, 2024

Tip: If additional materials are needed for examinees authorized by ACT to test with accommodations/supports, call the ACT Accommodations team. Use the Accommodations and Supports Roster, which can be accessed in PearsonAccessnext by Test Coordinators and Room Supervisors, to provide information to ensure the right students receive additional materials.

Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders and Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccess next User Guide.

Complete Non-Test Activities

Test Window 1: September 23–October 14, 2024

Test Window 2: October 21–25, 2024

Tip: To provide visibility into the non-test information process, schools will have access to a new daily Student Code Usage Status report after receiving their first shipment of materials. This report is posted in the Published Reports section in PearsonAccess next . Refer to the Accessing Reports section of PearsonAccess next User Guide for instructions. This report contains “Yes” or “No” to indicate students who have not used their Student Code or not completed college choices.

Provide Examinees Test Prep Information

Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Tip: Students may not receive scores from more than one test date per season (spring or fall). If students are allowed to test more than once in a season, ACT will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be cancelled. The Administration Manual includes details on student eligibility for makeup testing within an ACT District or ACT State test administration. A student may not test in both an ACT District and an ACT State administration.

Update Examinee Information

September 9–October 24, 2024

Create Online Test Sessions

Test Window 1: September 16–October 24, 2024

Test Window 2: October 23–November 7, 2024

Step 5: Administration

During Testing: Have a successful test administration.

Administer the Test

Paper Testing Dates:

Test Window 1 Standard Time Administration Date: October 15, 2024

Test Window 1 Accommodations Administration Window: October 15 - 25, 2024

Test Window 2 Standard Time Administration Date: October 29, 2024

Test Window 2 Accommodations Administration Window: October 29 – November 8, 2024

Online Testing Dates:

Test Window 1 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: October 15 – 25, 2024

Test Window 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: October 29 – November 8, 2024

Administration Manuals

Supplements

Tip: Ensure you are using the correct materials for your test date and type to avoid cancellation of scores.

Tip: ACT test translated directions for students testing on paper are shipped with secure test materials.

Tip: If you are testing an examinee authorized for English learner supports, have the ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list handy to verify at check in that the examinee’s dictionary can be used for testing.