ACT Test Dates 2026–27 (US & International)
Quick answer: In the US, the ACT 2026–27 national test dates are 19 September, 17 October and 12 December 2026, then 27 February, 10 April, 12 June and 10 July 2027 (all Saturdays). Registration for 17 October has closed, so the next open US date is Saturday 12 December 2026 – register by 6 November (late registration until 29 November). Outside the US, the next sitting is 11–12 December 2026 – register by 13 November (late fee deadline 27 November).
- Registration for the 17 October 2026 US ACT has closed; the next open US date is Saturday 12 December 2026 (register by 6 November).
- International candidates can sit on 11–12 December 2026 by registering before 13 November.
- US dates in 2027 are 27 February, 10 April, 12 June and 10 July.
- US deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time – confirm everything in your MyACT account on act.org.
Which ACT schedule is this?
ACT publishes two calendars each school year: one for the national test in the United States and one for international test centres. The dates are different, so check the table for where you will test. This page covers the full 2026–27 testing year (September 2026 to July 2027) exactly as listed by ACT. Weekdays have been checked against the calendar.
ACT test dates 2026–27 in the United States
US deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date shown.
| Test date | Registration deadline | Late registration (fee) | Initial scores (paper) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 19 Sep 2026 (past) | 14 Aug 2026 | 1 Sep 2026 | 6 Oct 2026 |
| Sat 17 Oct 2026 (registration closed) | 11 Sep 2026 | 29 Sep 2026 | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Sat 12 Dec 2026 | Fri 6 Nov 2026 | Sun 29 Nov 2026 | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Sat 27 Feb 2027 | Fri 22 Jan 2027 | Tue 9 Feb 2027 | 16 Mar 2027 |
| Sat 10 Apr 2027 | Fri 5 Mar 2027 | Tue 23 Mar 2027 | 20 Apr 2027 |
| Sat 12 Jun 2027 | Fri 7 May 2027 | Tue 25 May 2027 | 23 Jun 2027 |
| Sat 10 Jul 2027 | Fri 4 Jun 2027 | Tue 22 Jun 2027 | 20 Jul 2027 |
ACT international test dates 2026–27
International sittings run over two days (Friday and Saturday). The photo upload deadline is the same as the late fee deadline.
| Test dates | Registration deadline | Late fee deadline | Photo upload deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 Sep 2026 (past) | 7 Aug 2026 | 21 Aug 2026 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Fri 23 – Sat 24 Oct 2026 (registration closed) | 25 Sep 2026 | 9 Oct 2026 | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Fri 11 – Sat 12 Dec 2026 | Fri 13 Nov 2026 | Fri 27 Nov 2026 | Fri 27 Nov 2026 |
| Fri 12 – Sat 13 Feb 2027 | Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Fri 29 Jan 2027 | Fri 29 Jan 2027 |
| Fri 2 – Sat 3 Apr 2027 | 5 Mar 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 |
| Fri 11 – Sat 12 Jun 2027 | 14 May 2027 | 28 May 2027 | 28 May 2027 |
| Fri 9 – Sat 10 Jul 2027 | 11 Jun 2027 | 25 Jun 2027 | 25 Jun 2027 |
ACT’s international schedule lists the deadlines without a year; we have placed each one in the month before its test date. ACT’s international PDF does not give score release dates.
ACT vs SAT dates
Many students sit both tests. The next SAT is on 7 November 2026 and the next open US ACT is on 12 December 2026, so you can take one of each before most January application deadlines. See the full SAT test dates 2026–27 and the AP exam schedule 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next ACT test date?
In the US the next ACT is Saturday 17 October 2026, but registration for it has closed. The next date you can still register for is Saturday 12 December 2026 (deadline 6 November). Internationally, the next sitting is 23–24 October 2026 (closed), followed by 11–12 December 2026 (deadline 13 November).
What are the ACT test dates in 2027?
US: 27 February, 10 April, 12 June and 10 July 2027. International: 12–13 February, 2–3 April, 11–12 June and 9–10 July 2027.
What is the ACT registration deadline for December 2026?
For the US test on 12 December 2026, register by 6 November; late registration (with a fee) runs until 29 November. For the international test on 11–12 December, register by 13 November; the late fee and photo upload deadline is 27 November.
When do ACT scores come out?
For US paper tests, ACT lists initial scores about ten days after test day – for example 22 December 2026 for the 12 December test.
Are ACT international dates different from US dates?
Yes. International tests are held on a Friday and Saturday, often a week or two before or after the US date, and have their own deadlines.
What time do ACT deadlines close?
ACT says US deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Where do I register for the ACT?
You register online through your MyACT account on act.org, which also lists the official US and international test dates. Check your test centre and deadlines there before you pay.
When is the ACT in February 2027?
In the US, the ACT is on Saturday 27 February 2027 (register by 22 January, late registration to 9 February). Internationally, it is on 12–13 February 2027, with a registration deadline of 15 January.
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Official ACT test dates – act.org
ACT international schedule 2026–27 (PDF)